Was it really that close?

[Ironlions23]

Look I was really excited watching that game yesterday and was fooled into thinking we had a chance yet again. My question is why Ryan Day didn’t throw the ball downfield with tempo from the start. They did first drive and then went super conservative for the next 3 quarters. I think Ryan Day coached that game close vs PSU playing better than Ohio State for 3.5 quarters. Just my opinion but if Ryan Day was aggressive attacking the secondary, it would have been really tough for PSU to stay in that game.

 

[84lion]

Remember Day is a protégé of Meyer who always played PSU conservative. I agree, Day probably could have taken more chances and RUTS, but again remember the objective is to win. And Day actually has received a lot of press about this "comeback win" so in some ways I consider his game plan pure genius. Why show your hand early and give PSU time to adjust?

 

[EPC FAN]

I understand the hatred of Franklin and Clifford. It’s borne out of frustration. But to diminish the fact that with 9:00 left the Lions were leading, 21-16, is beyond the pale.

 

[NOVABuck45]

Look I was really excited watching that game yesterday and was fooled into thinking we had a chance yet again. My question is why Ryan Day didn’t throw the ball downfield with tempo from the start. They did first drive and then went super conservative for the next 3 quarters. I think Ryan Day coached that game close vs PSU playing better than Ohio State for 3.5 quarters. Just my opinion but if Ryan Day was aggressive attacking the secondary, it would have been really tough for PSU to stay in that game.

Believe me, Buckeye fans were upset about the conservative play calling, but Day is trying to find more balance in the offense. Last year when the run failed, we relied entirely on the pass and went one-dimensional. This year, he seems intent on finding that balance -- for better or worse.

Even some Buckeye media guys have said it was his worst coached game yet at Ohio State. Don't know if that's true, but the lack of aggression was frustrating. Our run game needs work, but you don't risk a catastrophic loss by forcing run plays in that environment.

 

[leinbacker]

Believe me, Buckeye fans were upset about the conservative play calling, but Day is trying to find more balance in the offense. Last year when the run failed, we relied entirely on the pass and went one-dimensional. This year, he seems intent on finding that balance -- for better or worse.

Even some Buckeye media guys have said it was his worst coached game yet at Ohio State. Don't know if that's true, but the lack of aggression was frustrating. Our run game needs work, but you don't risk a catastrophic loss by forcing run plays in that environment.

so Penn State was like a scrimmage, that makes us feel good

 

[BobPSU92]

so Penn State was like a scrimmage, that makes us feel good

If it makes you feel any better, Franklin still laughs at Tosu.

 

[PSUMichFan]

Maybe the plays that led to the aggressive game plan were not there because of our secondary. I have to give some credit to our D for the performance yesterday. I don't think Day withheld or went conservative intentionally if at all, they just couldn't get a tempo going. Many of the PSU-Ohio state games in the past were similar. What coach wouldn't slap 50 points on their opponent by half time if they could.

 

[PSU87]

I understand the hatred of Franklin and Clifford. It’s borne out of frustration. But to diminish the fact that with 9:00 left the Lions were leading, 21-16, is beyond the pale.

The fact that you and others think that counts for anything is what's beyond the pale.

 

[NOVABuck45]

so Penn State was like a scrimmage, that makes us feel good

No, not at all. We fans can only speculate -- clearly he was making calls based on what PSU was showing, so perhaps his aggressive style just wasn't appropriate for the looks that PSU was giving us. Day does seem more intent on running this year, so he was probably looking for weaknesses in the PSU front to exploit later. Either way, the bubble screens out wide and the toss sweeps to the RBs were frustrating, to say the least. But that's as much a credit to the way PSU defended them as anything.

 

[Moogy]

The fact that you and others think that counts for anything is what's beyond the pale.

Of course it counts for a great deal. It's childish to suggest otherwise.

 

[Moogy]

What a silly thread this is ... no, it couldn't have been that PSU actually went head-to-head strength-to-strength against OSU for over 3 quarters, and then just brainfarted on a couple of plays to lose to a slightly better team. No ... it must have been that OSU was just toying with us. Such self-loathing.

 

[VaDave4PSU]

Early in the game, we were holding them to FGs. It was working, it just didn't get touchdowns easily. We were shutting the run game down as well. As for the tempo, they aren't like Tennessee and run it exclusively. You don't just go to it for the sake of.

One key to their tempo drive. We had a lot of second string guys in the game. Perhaps Day seen that, called the Deep In to Harrison Jr and once we didn't break on the play he signaled for tempo. We had about 3 breakdowns on Hendersons TD run (DT not set, LB out of position, S staring at the play flat footed). 2 plays later, Clifford got stripped and Day called a misdirection play and again, 3 players missed the tackle leading to Stover getting in the end zone.

Then we respond with a drive that ends in 3 pts. In real time, seems like the right thing, but once we didn't take the points on the 3rd quarter opening drive, it should have been TD or nothing. It was then, maintain that aggression later.

The fact that we lost by 13 with 4 turnovers is a testament to our players and coaches. They aren't perfect, but if you gift OSU that much, you normally lose by 30+.

 

[VaDave4PSU]

it must have been that OSU was just toying with us. Such self-loathing.

If Day could have had us down 21-0 after 1st quarter, he would have. It wasn't a lack of aggression. We gifted them the ball in our territory twice and they got 3 points from it.

Some people forget there are 2 teams out there playing.

 

[Madsol]

The fact that you and others think that counts for anything is what's beyond the pale.

I can't speak for the poster but I don't think he's claiming any sort of moral victory. I think he's scoffing at the idea that Day intentionally coached his team so they would be trailing in the 4th quarter only to have some miraculous comeback.

 

[Bvillebaron]

The fact that you and others think that counts for anything is what's beyond the pale.

Because you DESERVE better right?