Scarlet Sunrise: Starting fast a priority for Ohio State at Purdue

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Starting fast a priority for Ohio State at Purdue

Maryland staked itself to a 10-0 lead against Ohio State last week, and the Terrapins could have built an even larger early-game advantage had they not turned the ball over on downs in the first quarter on 4th-and-1 at the Buckeyes’ 29-yard line.

But, really, Ohio State stumbling out of the gates was more because of its offense and special teams than its defense. The Buckeyes got possession to start the game and immediately went three-and-out. Then the ball slipped from long snapper John Ferlmann and dribbled in the direction of linebacker Cody Simon, not punter Jesse Mirco. Simon fielded it but was stopped short of the line to gain.

The Terps took over and promptly scored, thanks to Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa completing his first three passes for 30 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass to wideout Kaden Prather. Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun couldn’t have done much more — the WVU transfer receiver simply made a spectacular, one-handed grab in the end zone.

Granted the Buckeyes allowed 111 yards in the opening frame, but their defense stepped up on the aforementioned 4th-and-1. The unit also stood tall on at the start of the second quarter on 3rd-and-Goal from the Ohio State 3-yard line when safeties Josh Proctor and Sonny Styles stopped a Tagovailoa keeper and forced the Terps to settle for a chip-shot field goal.

“So I think the defense was ready to roll,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said Tuesday.

The offense, however, took significantly longer to find its groove. But Day said the goal — starting this week at Purdue — is for the whole team to get in a rhythm early on.

“That comes with preparation and putting it on the field,” he said. “And we’ll try, as coaches, to get the guys in the right plays early on to help with that. But they also have to take some ownership of it.”

That’s exactly what Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord did Wednesday. McCord talked about how he needs to string together completions in a game’s infancy to get himself going.

“I think it’s honestly just a mental thing,” he said, “not trying to feel the game out and just going in. And if Coach Day calls a shot early on, take the shot if it’s there. And if he calls the intermediate pass, read the defense, space it out — whatever it tis — and just get things rolling.

“Because I feel like when we start fast, and we put points on the board early, we’re gonna be really tough to compete with.”

Buckeyes now relying more on mind of Tommy Eichenberg than his aggressiveness

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is blitzing less than normal, including less than he did last year. That means fewer pass rushing snaps for linebacker Tommy Eichenberg.

But Eichenberg is still making an impact as a pass rusher when called upon to do so. Mostly, however, Knowles is leaning more on the mind of Eichenberg than his aggressiveness.

“We’re using him more to be a quarterback on the field,” Knowles explained last week.

“He’s become that guy that can see things that I see, think like me, and he can make changes and adjustments on the field.”

To get the full story, go here.

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Fast-rising safety prospect Leroy Roker commits to Ohio State

Ohio State received a commitment from Leroy Roker, a three-star safety from Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot.

Roker stands 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and is poised to play free safety for the Buckeyes. He’s a bit of a late bloomer — he didn’t have a Power Five offer until August when Iowa extended him one.

But, ultimately, it was Ohio State that made the biggest impression on Roker, who the Buckeyes offered earlier this month.

For more on the fast-rising safety prospect, go here.

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• What Commitment of Leroy Roker Means for Ohio State
• Coach Speak: What Ohio State is getting in Leroy Roker
• Ask the Expert: On3 Scout and Rankings Evaluator Leroy Roker

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Purdue: 2 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 44 days

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