Ohio State Buckeyes Squeak Past the Navy Midshipmen

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a very good game plan on offensive and made the adjustments on defensive to slow down the Navy Midshipmen’s triple option but the relentless Midshipmen fought back time and again and made the most of their opportunities in a close 31-27 OSU win.

By Steve Patterson

The Ohio State offensive game plan was to let sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor do what he does best. Which included a number roll outs to the left and the right allowing him to throw to the outside to his big targets Duron Carter (3 for 21) and DeVier Posey (2 for 14). Add in some longer passes to Dane Sanzenbacher (2 for 57 and 1 touchdown) and a number of throws to the seldom used tight ends and you have a very potent air attack for 2009.

But the Ohio State defense had a hard time stopping the triple option in spite of Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs being very inaccurate throwing the ball early. Navy kept the game close throughout most of the matchup despite having less talent on both sides of the ball.

The Buckeyes main problem during the game was moving the ball in short yardage situations. In the first quarter they found themselves down within the 10 yard line and chose to call 3 pass plays in a row after having success running the ball from further out. Two of the teams strengths was making adjustments to stop the triple option on defense and creating 3 turnovers.

Pryor proved hard to sack when pressure was in his face and he made plays consistently with pressure. He completed the game going 14 for 21 for 174, one touchdown and one interception. During the second quarter second team defense players entered the game for Ohio State and shortly thereafter, second team offensive players were utilized. Quarterback Joe Bauserman saw time in the second quarter before Pryor returned to complete the game. Bauserman was 3 for 5 for 35 yards.

As the game progressed Dobbs got more comfortable and Navy ate up the clock while scoring making it a game. Strength by Navy in the 3rd period ended the second string’s time on the field for OSU as the Buckeyes brought back all their starters. This was the time senior captain safety Kurt Coleman got two turnovers which put Ohio State well in the lead. But the Buckeyes couldn’t get yards on the ground when needed and turned over the ball on downs in the fourth quarter.

Navy scored two times in the fourth and was about to tie the game when Brian Rolle saved the day with a two point conversion return. The return placed the Buckeye four points in the lead with less than a minute remaining.