State Buckeyes had a real bad day and lost their top ranking along with any chance of the national championship with a shocking 28-21 loss to the Illini of Illinois today in Columbus.This loss can be blamed on many things and just about all of them were the fault of the Buckeyes.
Illinois' first touchdown was set up on an 80 yard run by Daniel Dufrene.
Replays showed that Dufrene clearly fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Buckeyes,but neither the referees nor Ohio State asked for a replay.
Illinois scored on the next play.
Other than that,there was nothing controversial about this game.
Ron Zook had his team well prepared and they played about as well as they could hope for.
Anytime you need to play the perfect game and then don't turn the ball over and only commit one penalty,you give yourself a chance to win.
Full credit to Illinois.
I wish I could give the Buckeye coaching staff similar kudos.
I normally think highly of Jim Tressel,but today he and his staff were not at their best.
Tressel's main gaffe came on the final drive of the game with Illinois having a 4th and inches.
Ron Zook ordered the punting unit on the field,but Tressel called a timeout.
Zook was then talked into going for it by QB Juice Williams and Illinois converted.
Ohio State would never see the football again.
The defensive coordinator didn't cover himself in glory on the final drive either as on three occasions,Juice Williams converted on third down with the quarteback draw.
To me,the speedy Williams was clearly going to run the ball to keep the clock running,but on all three plays,the Bucks were playing pass.
Poor Strategy.
Tressel is the offensive coordinator and calls the plays,but other than a first play bomb to Brian Robiskie,the offense stopped throwing the ball downfield.
One of Illinois starting corners was injured during the game,yet the replacement was never challenged deep as the OSU passing game was almost exclusively short passes.
But the main goat was Todd Boeckman,who's three interceptions pretty much killed any chances of winning this game.
Overthrowing and generally looking panicked,Boeckman struggled throughout the game and brought back memories of bad Buckeyes past.
Words cannot express how bad he looked today.
In any event-no excuses,the better team won and showed why you cannot take any team lightly.
This is far from a ruined season,a win over michigan next week wins the Big Ten outright with a 11-1 record and before this season I would have taken that and ran with it.
Let's hope we can get that one!
The New Jersey Devils then added to the "bad day"with a 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders in Long Island.
Not much scoring other than Danius Zubrus scoring his 3rd goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1,before Miroslav Satan won it for the Islanders on a 5 on 3 power play.
Martin Brodeur played well and neither goal he allowed was really his fault as Marty stayed stuck at 499 career wins.
Brodeur goes for # 500 again Monday in Pittsburgh.
The Cleveland Browns travel to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers.
This is a bad matchup for the Lake Erie visitors and boy,could we use something to take our mind off of the events of Saturday.
For the Browns to win,they need for Jamal Lewis to be able to run enough to keep the Steeler defense honest and not lay back and play pass defense on every down and the defense needs to keep Willie Parker from running crazy as Steeler backs have in the past.
But as much I would like to see this happen.............
Our Pick:Steelers 35-20.
Bullpen Notes
Miguel Cotto banged out a unanimous decision win last night in New York to retain his WBA Welterweight title over Shane Mosley in what has been reported as a great
action fight.The replay will be shown on HBO next Saturday night.
As we endorsed back after the Mike Coolbaugh incident,it appears that MLB will be mandating that base coaches wear a helmet starting next season.
Smart move.
Tommy Herr has interviewed for a return to his beloved Lancaster Barnstormers,but he might not even get the job.
The Lancaster New Era reports that Butch Hobson,Von Hayes and Gary Carter have all interviewed for the position.
Hobson signed cards for me long ago,but a Hayes or Carter hiring might be enough to get me to Lancaster for a game.....
The Tigers are interested in dealing for Pirate relievers Matt Capps and/or Damaso Marte.
We would listen to Marte offers,but would not deal Capps unless a crazy offer was made.
Proven,young and affordable closers are rare commodities.
Photo Credits
Fans-Neal Lauron-Columbus Dispatch
Brodeur-Jim McIssac-Getty Images
Cotto-Mosley-Mary Altatter-AP Photo
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