Dodging a Rocket

I thought that Toledo was going to give Ohio State a decent game,what I did not foresee was how decent as Ohio State barely staved off the Rockets 27-22 at Ohio Stadium.
Carlos Hyde rushed for two touchdowns including the game winner late in the third quarter.
Toledo moved to the Buckeye 17 before turning the ball over on downs with less than a minute to play.
Ohio State travels to Miami next Saturday in the lower bracket of teams with NCAA issues game.
LSU advanced to the finals with their win last week over Oregon.

Buckeye Leaves

1) The big worry for me in this one?
The lack of a running game.
Take away Carlos Hyde's 36 TD run and the rushing game was very pedestrian.
That is my top concern going into Miami next week.

2) No playing time for Braxton Miller?
I thought the QB position was to be shared between Miller and Joe Bauserman?
Bauserman looked good on the first drive but ordinary thereafter and he overthrew Chris Fields on what would have been a sure long TD pass.
Fickel said the decision was a gut feeling.
Well,not thrilled with that one.Miller needed a little time in the game if you expect anything from him next week.

3) Put Chris Fields 1 catch for six yards aside.
His punt return was electric and twice he was open for big gains and Joe Bauserman overthrew him.
Fields might be the best of this bunch of young pass catchers.

4) Credit to John Simon,who's pass rush hurried the Rockets on their last gasp.Simon was banged up and still returned to the game.
Nice job playing through the pain.

5) The best player I saw yesterday?
How about Toledo WR Eric Page?
Page grabbed 12 passes and is well on his way to being drafted by the pros.
Page will dropped due to his size (5'10),but I bet he makes someone's team in 2013.

6) Special teams? Not so special as Toledo blocked a punt for the first score by the Rockets.
This was a issue last season in Columbus and I have a feeling it will be brought up again against Miami.

7) 14 penalties against Toledo?
Way too many.Cut that in half and you might have a different winner.

8) One example?
The punt with under a minute to go that was downed at the 17 by Toledo and was forced to kick again due to an offsides.
That punt was the Fields TD return.
Seven points handed to OSU in a five point win....

9) Another TD catch for Jake Stoneburner.
Stoneburner clearly has chemistry with Joe Bauserman and look for a big game for the senior against Miami next week....

Photo Credit:Chris Russell-Columbus Dispatch