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 Posted on January 2nd, 2010 by Clinton Reed Jr. As the clock struck midnight and year 2009 was left to be buried in the past, there were many questions that remained on the table for THE Ohio State Buckeyes. A year filled with triumph, disappointment, doubt, and self relazation would be put on the wall next to all the years that had come prior to. The ghosts of national title hopes, and failed opprotunity hang on that very wall, and the list of individuals that had to endure those years reads like a college all star game. From the AJ Hawk’s, to the Troy Smith’s, to the Ted Ginn’s.. it has been a decade filled with almost reaching the ultimate goal, the crystal football, as many times as anyone within the college football ranks. With these things lingering in the background of a story to be written on the field of roses in Pasadena, the Buckeyes took the field against a most worthy adversary in the hopes of leaving all the missed opprotunities…. all the labels behind. The game started with a methodical drive down the field, showing not only to the Oregon defense but the Buckeyes themselves that they belong on the grand stage, playing for the highest accolades that are able to be achieved on the field used for playing college football. A calm silence of every young man on the field, not overcelebrating small victories. Just snap the ball.. execute.. move on to the next part of the plan.. All great plans… require great execution… It was the first night of the new year, and the first time that anyone on this team would be able to enjoy the sweet moment that is victory. The Florida incident, the LSU debacle, Texas slipping away in the final moments in the desert.. now all in the past. For tonight it was Jim Tressel’s time to answer the questions of success. Terrelle Pryors moment to thank god while lost in the confusion of the camera flashes. It was time to see the Buckeyes with celebratory tears in their eyes while someone else walked off in the background to the locker room wondering what might have been. For legions of fans it was time to pop the bottles of champagne and share the embrace of victors, instead of drinking in an attempt to ease the pain. In this year, and in that moment ,the chapter of 2009 in the book of Buckeye Football has been closed. What waits on the agenda for 2010? Well its just like Coach Tressel has said… in this moment we remember those who walked before and are now gone. Tonight is about victory and celebration… and we are only thinking about this victory in the Rose Bowl and what this night truely means to so many……… Go Bucks……. Posted on November 20th, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr.  And the parade rolls on.... Original Artwork Courtesy: R.R.R. 2009. Posted on November 14th, 2009 by Admin 2010 Rose Bowl Tickets January 1, 2010 Ohio State – Oregon| Pasadena, California
Posted on November 14th, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr. By: Clinton Reed Jr. | BuckeyesGameday Correspondent It is that time of year when the weather turns cold, the leaves begin to fall from the trees and we all as a collective planet make the turn into the winter months. For some it means snow chains and long drives to work down icy highways, for others it means an influx of bad driving mid-westerners who would like a cold pop instead of soda. Yet no matter where you are from or what your interests are, the winter is officially knocking on the door. For The Ohio State Buckeyes it is that time of the year where the Big Ten race has wittled it’s way down to a few teams contending for the Big Ten title, and a potential bid to the BCS. At the very minimum the opprotunity to smell the Californian roses arises in these last few weeks that make up the season, and the Bucks have been fortunate in years past to be among the top teams in the conference every year. So who would be the competition this year? The Kitty Cats from PA?…. The Gooolden Gooophs from the twin cities?… The girlscouts from that school from the north?….. Not even close. It is the biggest event for the state of Iowa since anyone there can really remember. Bigger than any county fair. Bigger than any new tractor on the market. Even bigger than the game against the highly touted team of Northwestern. It is not only the season for this Hawkeye team, but might just be the decade. So what’s the catch? Quarterback Ricky Stanzi will not be able to start against the Buckeyes in Columbus on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury in the game against Northwestern last weekend. In his place James Vandenberg. It is said that Mr. Vandenberg is not afraid coming into this game against Ohio State. He is believed to have nerves of steel for a backup. He has a big time arm for a backup. Good footwork for a backup. And most importantly, good decision making for a backup. As a matter of fact if he wasnt so dominate at being number two (no pun intended, well.. a little) on the depth chart then he may have challenged Stanzi for the starting position earlier in the season. So what to do? Here is the good news. The number of players on Ohio State that will transfer to Iowa to be apart of their dynasty when all is said and done this year will be…… zero. The good news now has always been the good news. We are still THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. The most dominate team that resides within the Big Ten. The defense should look no farther than its own shoulders to know what needs to take place on Saturday in front of the 100,000+ faithful. They will dot the i, scream O H….I O upon kickoff, and hear Carmen Ohio when the dust has finally settled for the last time this season within the hallowed cement walls that comprise The Horseshoe. It is their last opprotunity this season to let the people of Ohio and across the nation that they appreciate all the support they recieve upon running onto the field of play wearing the scarlet topped jerseys It is the biggest game of the year… fact. Yet the mathematics are simple. Faster, more complex, better athletes, stronger lineman, more vicious linebackers, eyes that are more keen in the secondary. It is not a matter of the contest that is to be won. It is a matter of everyone being responsible for just that… their responsibilities. There is no need for heroism on Saturday, for when you walk down the tunnel and run out on the the gladiators stage lead by the sweater vest donning the Scarlet and Gray… A Hero You Already Have Become. Posted on November 6th, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr. By: Clinton Reed Jr. | Buckeyes Gameday Correspondent
Long before The Ohio State Buckeyes had taken the field of play, before any part of the story that is the 2009 season had yet to be written, everyone who looked at what was to come was in agreement of one thing.. the last three games of the season will tell the tale. No matter what had happened prior (no pun intended) to that, had they beat USC, been able to stave off Purdue, or even lost to someone else along the way.. these games that are now upon us would be the most important no matter which path it took to reach them. Not to say that at the begining of the year that anyone would have thought that Iowa would be in the position that they are in, not even Nostradamus was that good. The last three games of the season take place in Happy Valley, the last game in the Horseshoe this season against Iowa, then a trip up north . Every game is now, not only a tremendous challenge, but will be the majority share of how this season will be remembered. It has been a season in which we have seen what the definition of growing pains truely means. Terrelle Pryor, at times, a glimpse into the future as to what a truely gifted athelete he is. Yet if he does not want a severe case of RBS (reggie bush syndrome) when he gets to the professional level where everyone has outstanding atheletic ability then he needs to be able to know how to win games one piece at a time. The defense has played far beyond what they were originally thought capable of becoming. Making huge plays all over the field, interceptions, fumbles, goaline stands. They have been put in compromising positions time and time again and have out played other teams offenses. Purdue not withstading of course.. First on the agenda: Penn St. With Joe Paterno coaching in his 43rd season the Nittany Lions come into Saturday’s matchup with a season not to much unlike its couterpart, The Ohio State. Both teams were projected to finish first and second in the Big Ten, and both teams now are looking up at Iowa. Truth be told Ohio State and Penn St. has always been a competitive matchup, and with the events that had transpired in last years game Ohio State needs to prove that they are the superior force in the Big Ten. This will not be an easy task by any means. Penn St’s offense was the reason that they were projected to be any kind of competitor for a Big Ten title, but live by the sword and so on.. and so went they’re chances. When they play well on offense they are dangerous, yet if they come out slow they have a hard time getting the offense moving. The end result of this matchup can be found in its title.. We ARE Penn St is the chant that the Nittany Lion faithful chant with pride, and the truth is.. that’s the best news possible for Ohio State. Just remember: They ARE Penn St. and it is exactly why the number one recruit in the nation from Pennsylvania would choose to go elsewhere. It’s because we ARE not… Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr. By: Clinton Reed Jr. | Buckeyes Gameday Correspondent
As the clock strikes midnight at the end of each December an old year becomes a memory, and a new year is set to begin. With the next subtle movement of the clock comes a new day filled with new expectations.. new perspectives.. new resoloutions.. a New Year. For many teams, the game which summarizes the past four months that have made up the college football season has already taken place. For twenty-eight others it has yet to begin.Within the first ten days of January thirteen teams will emerge victorious and become bowl champions, and there will be but one game remaining on the college football schedule. The National Title. The brightest lights on the biggest stage as per college football. For two teams it is the culmination of days, months, and for some years of hard work. For two legions of fans it is what you believe can be atained at the begining of each and every season. It is the quest for the crystal football. The Ohio State Buckeyes have extinguished all hope of playing on that stage this season with their loss to Purdue in last Saturday’s meeting in West Lafayette. In what was the worst performance for the team so far this season, the Buckeyes offensive line proved itself non existant as Terrelle Pryor was on the move whether he wanted to be or not. For the Bucks it is not a matter of talent, nor is it a matter of size, it is a matter of each person believing themself capable to do what needs to be done in order for victory to be attained. Yet in their most recent performance The Ohio State Buckeyes were far from a cohesive unit on the offensive side of the ball. Every snap seemed to be nothing more than a preface to the flood gates swinging wide open and the defensive rush being let through. With literally no time to make any sort of decision quarterback Terrelle Pryor struggled all game long. From interceptions to fumbles Pryor’s day covered the entire negative end of the spectrum of how to play the quarterback position, and now he has opened the door for criticism from all who have an opinion to share. And honestly, what can he say…? Purdue? For every player on the roster for The Ohio State Buckeyes the realization is starting to sink in as to what the ceiling is as far as this season is concerned. Hopes of being the last team to call themselves victorious and hoist the crystal football overhead have come and gone. Rose Bowl? A longshot. The challenge now exists for everyone within the locker room to find a way to motivate themself to play to the best of their ability and hope that destiny deals them a good hand. There are still things that the Buckeyes need to accomplish in order to make a successful transition from this year to the next. Next on the agenda for the Bucks is a Homecoming game against the Golden Gophers hailing from Minnesooota. Even considering the fact that the Buckeyes experienced defeat at the hands of Purdue, the Bucks should still feel confident going into the game this Saturday against the Gophs. It is time for the entire offensive unit to take a collective deep breath and go out and play football. Like they have all done since they can remember time. Just relax. It is only a matter of time before the team comes together and plays like everyone who has watched them play knows that they can. A new day starts on Saturday. Posted on October 14th, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr. By: Clinton Reed Jr. | Buckeyes Gameday Correspondent
You can not lose today. With the sun positioned directly over head on a Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette Indiana, and standing a listed six feet six inches tall, Terrelle Pryor will be preparing to lead the Buckeyes into yet another civil war within the Big Ten. Yet as he runs onto the battle field of Ross Ade Stadium amidst the blurred chorus of the Purdue faithful, what will be going through the mind of the Sophomore quarterback? Sure it may seem and somewhat feel the same as any game of football ever played, but none before Saturday’s meeting with Purdue has ever had so much riding on the shoulders of Terrelle Pryor. Let’s be honest. The true Sophomore has always been successful at every level of play thus far, and everytime that level of success has been achieved very quickly. Yet what he is currently experiencing is a theory that has existed since existence itself. When you change the level of play… the level of play changes. He is no longer the superior athlete on the field, and therefore must adjust in order to bring success to The Ohio State. Where there’s Scarlet…. There’s Gray….. The positive side of Saturday morning will be that as Pryor sits in the locker room envisioning what will need to take place in order for the Buckeyes to be successful in their pursuit of victory, he will not be alone. Somewhere in that same room will hang the jerseys of all those set to do battle that afternoon. Gibson, Coleman, Chekwa, Heyward, Posey, ect. will all have their own individual place of focus in that very same room where they too must sit and focus on what will need to be accomplished in order to be successful against Purdue. With their only victory coming against Toledo, it has been a rather tough season for the old gold and black. They have played many teams tough, yet have not been able to win any of the close games. Fact is, they have allowed on avgerage of 31 points per game, and have yet to face a defense the caliber of which they shall be lining up against on Saturday. The Buckeyes’ defensive unit has been absolutely outstanding thus far. The return of Kurt Coleman proved to be huge as he took his interception all the way to the house aganst Wisconsin last Saturday in Columbus. Their identity as a team is finally begining to show itself. They are a tough gritty group, that if coupled with the right offense, can bring home a national title. The truth is…. The statistical breakdown for this upcoming meeting in Indiana is simple. 1. The only thing that the Buckeyes need to have happen in this game in order for it to be considered a success is to win. It is just that simple. If they are to be what they consider themselves to be, a national title contender, then they have to be able to defeat the teams that they should. Of course in the interest of political correctness it’s not to say that Purdue is not a quality university, the engineering department is one of the finest in the nation. Yet when it comes to man vs. man on a field used exclusively for playing football…. they’re simply not on the same level. WEEK SEVEN PREDICTIONS: The Ohio State: 27 Purdue: 10 Defense: Purdue has yet to see anything close to the defense of The Ohio State. The Buckeyes are too fast… it will seem like they are everywhere. Only way Purdue can score is if the Ohio State offense turns it over. Offense: Terrelle Pryor will realize that it is not physical talent that will carry him to the next level…. it is the knowledge of how to accomplish. He will continue to grow, and therefore will continue to succeed. Posted on October 10th, 2009 by Admin
Posted on October 8th, 2009 by Clinton Reed Jr. By: Clinton Reed Jr. | Buckeyes Gameday Correspondent As the Wisconsin Badgers make their way into Columbus, it’s possible that not even they understand what a big game that this is for The Ohio State Buckeyes. True the all-time record (52-17-5) would suggest that the Bucks should have no trouble in defeating the Badgers, but it is a game that is yet one more proving ground that the Buckeyes belong amongst the top teams in the nation. Let’s take a look. All-time records not withstanding, the truth is that the Buckeyes as a college football franchise have struggled with Wisconsin in recent memory. In the last five meetings since 2002 Ohio State holds the edge with a 3-2 record, while allowing on average two touchdowns per game. So the defense must be put to the test once again. So what’s the good news? The Buckeyes’ defensive unit in the Horseshoe so far this year reminds many of teams from years gone by. The complex offense that is the triple option used by Navy was successful to a point, yet yeilded nothing more than a moral victory as the Buckeyes defense stepped up when they needed to. Against USC with time ticking away you had to feel confident that the defense was on the field, after having shut down the made for TV drama that was USC ’s offense (at the time, thank you Washington). Toledo and Illinois were almost mirror images of one another, two games, zero points allowed. Indiana found out the hard way what the biggest difference is between Michigan and Ohio State is. Defense. Thaddeus Gibson has emerged as the leader of the defense, and needs to continue to dominate the line of scrimmage if the Buckeyes are to be victorious against the Badgers. The untimely suspension of Kurt Coleman last week was unfortunate, yet the silver lining was that it forced Anderson Russel to have to step up and redeem himself after a shakey start to the 2009 season. An interception and fumble recovery later he seems to be on that very road to redemption, and honestly it couldn’t have come at a better time. On an offensive note: The only thing better than watching a game having to deal with Wisconsin, and NOT hearing the name Brett Favre, will be to watch the continued development of Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor. In his last game he threw for 159 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, yet that was not the most important contribution that he made while on the field. While watching the game the most noteable contribution that he made was in his decision making process. Combined with a much better understanding of the offensive system, he did more of the “little things” that it takes in order to win games at this next level of his career. Throwing the ball away when he needed to, tucking the ball before being hit to prevent a fumble, NOT trying to score a touchdown every time he looks down field. WEEK SIX PREDICTIONS: Ohio State: 38 Wisconsin: 24 Defense: If history tells us one thing its that Wisconsin always plays tough against Ohio State as they are constantly trying to prove that they belong in the upper echelon of the Big Ten. For that they will be rewarded by putting our defense to the test. Wisconsin: 24 Offense: Terrelle Pryor and the offense are in the search of one thing, Results. Because of that they pound it down the field early and often. Ohio State: 38 |
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