Tag Archives: Ezekiel Elliott

INSIDE THE BUCKEYES – GOIN STREAKIN

The Buckeyes extended their winning streak this season to 9 games, their overall winning streak to 22 games and their regular season Big Ten winning streak to 29 games with their 28-14 victory over Minnesota in Big Ten play.

OSU Offense vs Oregon Defense In Game Action Shot Nati Championship Game 1-12-15

Ezekiel Elliott extended his 100 yard rushing yards streak to 14 consecutive games with 26 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

Ezekiel Elliott Media Day Podium Photo Nati Championship 1-10-15

Elliott now has 1,244 yards on the season with 14 rushing TD’s.  He is now 4th in school history with 3,384 career rushing yards and has scored 34 rushing touchdowns and 35 overall touchdowns in his career to this point at Ohio State.

 

Wide receiver Michael Thomas extended his consecutive games streak of catching at least  1 pass in a game to 25 straight games. His 6 yard touchdown catch in the game was his 16 scoring grab of his career at OSU.

 

Cardale Jones extended his unbeaten streak as the starting quarterback at Ohio State to 11 straight games. Jones was 3-0 last year and is now 8-0 this season. Jones threw for 187 yards and 1 touchdown in the win and also rushed for 65 yards and a score in the 14 point victory. That touchdown scamper  of 38 yards was the longest run of his career.

 

In his first 50 games at Ohio State, head coach Urban Meyer’s has a 47-3 record, the third greatest start for a coach at one school in FBS history. That’s a (.940) winning percentage.  Meyer’s career overall record improved to 151-26, that good for an (.853) winning percentage which is the highest among active coaches.

2014 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS

Kerry Combs(Def.Backs Coach) and Brutus Buckeye Celebrate Nati Championship 1-12-15 Urban Meyer and Players Interviewed Postgame Nati Championship 1-12-15Cardale Jones Postgame Interview On Field Nati Championship 1-12-15Cardale Jones Mobbed Postgame On Field Celebration-Interviews Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Devin Smith with the OSU Number #1 Pose Postgame Celebration Nati Championship 1-12-15Evan Spencer and Michael Thomas Celebrating on Podium Postgame Nati Championship 1-12-15Shelley Meyer Meyer Shows Us Who's Number #1 Nati Championship 1-12-15Bri'onte Dunn OSU #1 with Newspaper Nati Championship 1-12-15Raekwon McMillian OSU Number #1 Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Urban Meyer and Ezekiel Elliott Celebrate On Field Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer Postgame Celebration Points To Where He Will Get Tatoo Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer and Joey Bosa on Podium Talking Postgame Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer and Devin Smith Postgame on Podium Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer and Phil Knight Postgame Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer Postgame Locker Room Interview Nati Championship 1-12-15Luke Fickell and Kenny Postgame Locker Room Intverview Nati Championship 1-12-15Urban Meyer, Cardale Jones and Tyvis Powell with Nati Championship Trophy Next Day 1-13-15Taylor Decker and Darryl Baldwin Celebrating Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Ezekiel Elliott and Warren Ball Celebrating After TD Nati Championship Game 1-12-15LeBron Hugs Ezekiel Elliott After Final TD Nati Championship Game 1-12-15AT & T Field Wide Shot Postgame OSU Nati Champions 1-12-15

Kenny Selfie with LeBron James Sidelines Nati Championship Game 1-12-15OSU Band and Crowd Shot At Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Jeff Heuerman and Honorary Team Member Jacob Jarvis(15) Muscular Dystrophy Postgame Nati Championship 1-12-15Evan Spencer Joins the Big Ten Network for a Postgame Interview Nati Championship 1-12-15Braxton Miller Postgame Locker Room Nati Championship 1-12-15Curtis Grant  Postgame Celebration Nati Championship 1-12-15Jeff Heuerman and The Buckeyes Begin Their Celebration at Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Eddie George and Orlando Pace Pregame Photo Nati Championship 1-12-15Mark Dantonio - Michigan St. Head Coach Pregame Photo Nati Championship 1-12-15LeBron James and OSU-AD Gene Smith On Sidelines Nati Championship Game 1-12-15In Game OSU Defense Time Out Meeting Nati Championship 1-12-15Kenny and Cameron O H I O in Dallas. - CopyO-H-I-O Photo From Fans Pregame Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Ezekiel Elliott On Field Pregame Stretch with Helmets Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Devin Smith and Jeff Heuerman Pregame Stretch Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Bonnie Bernstein and Kenny Mayne Pregame Nati Championship 1-12-15Ezekiel Elliott Arrives For Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Cardale Jones Pregame Warm Ups Nati Championship Game 1-12-15Kenny at National Championship - CopyNati Championship National Anthem Wide Shot with Fireworks 1-12-15Kenny and Cameron with National Championship Trophy Media Day 1-10-15 - CopyKenny and Paul Keels with National Championship Trophy Media Day 1-10-15Oregon Cheerleaders Pregame Nati Championship 1-12-15Oregon,Ohio St and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Pregame Nati Championship 1-12-15Kenny an Candice Coots Oregon 1-12-15Cardale Jones Media Day Close Up Photo 1-10-15Darron Lee on SportsCenter Media Day Nati Championship 1-10-15

KENNY’S KEYS TO BEATING OREGON

1) PROTECT THE PIGSKIN – Oregon has a bend but don’t break defense. They’ll

give up yards between the 20’s and maybe a couple of TD’s, but they also create

a lot of turnovers by stripping the ball or picking off a pass or two.  They are

a plus 20 in the giveaway/take away category, so  Cardale Jones and Ezekiel

Elliott who will handle the ball a lot on Monday night, need to take extra

special care of the football in this game, as both had turnovers in the win over

Alabama. Luckily the Buckeyes were able to overcome those mistakes in the Sugar

Bowl, but do that against the Ducks and you’re in trouble. Oregon’s offense

thrives on scoring, getting a turnover from their “D”, getting the ball back

quickly to get into a rhythm so they can score again and play from ahead.  For

Zeke it’s tuck it high and tight. For Cardale it’s protect it on runs and in the

pocket and throw it away if necessary. All of the other Buckeye weapons must be

aware of this as well. Don’t give the Ducks a short field.

Cardale Jones with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

2) PRESSURE MARIOTA – I know he’s only thrown three picks all year, but he threw

one last week against F.S.U. Why? The Seminoles kept him in the pocket and

pressured him forcing the Heisman Trophy winner to throw the ball before he

wanted to. That’s what the Buckeyes defense line needs to do as well. You’d love

to get sacks of course, but if not, then Joey Bosa, Adolphus Washington, Michael

Bennett and Steve Miller need to control the line of scrimmage, contain the edge

so Mariota can’t roll out and throw as much as he likes to. Continually get in his face and

then when you get a chance, like the 2002 Buckeyes did to Miami’s Ken Dorsey,

hit him hard and hit him often. Make him pay the price for some throws so he’s

keeping an eye out for a defensive lineman and maybe not completely focusing on

his receivers. In a heavyweight title fight like this, body blows will add up in

the later rounds.

Joey Bosa with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

3) WIN T.O.P. –  Against a fast paced, rhythm type offense, the best way to

disrupt their rhythm is by keeping the ball away from them. So Ohio State’s best

defense against Oregon may be their offense. In the Ducks four losses over the

last three years with Mariota at QB, they lost the “Time Of Possession” battle

in all four games. Arizona beat them twice and Stanford beat them twice. Both

teams did so by running the ball, controlling the clock and keeping the high

flying Ducks grounded on the sidelines. The Wildcats and Cardinal as a team

rushed for over 200 yards in all four of those games.  Enter Ezekiel Elliott, he

of the 450 yards rushing and four touchdowns over the last two games for Ohio

State. Zeke needs to again have a big game on the ground to chew up that clock

and also help set up the play action passing game for Cardale Jones. A third

straight 200+ yard game on the ground by EZ and there is a very good chance the

Buckeyes will be National Champs.

Ezekiel Elliott OSU CFP

Photo courtesy of Kenny Roda

4) SCORE 7 NOT 3 – Early in the win over Alabama the Buckeyes had two different

“First and Goal” opportunities and both times Urban Meyer’s offense had to settle for

field goals. O.S.U. was  able to overcome that then, but they can ill afford to do that

against a potent Oregon offense. The Ducks are averaging 47 points a game, so

when you get in the redone against them you have to score 7. If Oregon holds you

to 3, they look at that as like creating a turnover because they feel their

offense will come down and put up 7 on you.

Urban Meyer with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

5) DUCK WRAP – Oregon is going to score some points against the Buckeyes. You

have to accept that. They’re that good. But you have to make them earn it. Don’t

give up the big play. In order to do that you must be fundamentally sound in

your tackling technique. You must hold up, wrap up and tackle the ball carrier

at first contact. Don’t go for the highlight hit, instead just do your job, be

where you’re supposed to be and make the tackle.

 

Prediction:   OHIO STATE 45     OREGON 42

INTERVIEW WITH OSU RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT – CFP MEDIA DAY

I caught up with Ohio State’s outstanding sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott at the College Football Playoff Media Day in Dallas, Texas and got his thoughts on the national Championship game against Oregon.

Listen here –

Ezekiel Elliott OSU CFP

 

IS THERE A FORMULA ON HOW TO BEAT OREGON?

The Oregon Ducks have lost only four games over the last three years with 2014 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota running the offense.

Marcus Mariota In Game Heisman Pose

Photo Courtesy – ESPN.Go.Com

So I went back and looked at those four losses, two against Stanford and two against Arizona to see if there were common denominators in all four losses. Here’s what I came up with:

In all four losses Oregon was held to less than 10 points at halftime.

In all four losses Oregon lost the “Time of Possession” battle by an average of 37:10 to 23:50.

In all four losses Oregon turned the ball over at least once on offense and totaled 8 turnovers in those four games for an average of 2 turnovers per contest.

In all four losses Oregon’s opponent ran more offensive plays than the Ducks did. On average Oregon ran 11 fewer plays per game in the losses (83.5 to 72.2).

In all four losses Oregon’s opponent ran for 200 yards or more as a team and averaged 58 carries for 246.5 yards per game on the ground.

In all four losses Oregon only had a 32% conversion rate on 3rd down on offense.

And in three out of the four losses Oregon was outgained in total yards by an average of 24 yards per game.

 So what should Ohio State take from this?

Urban Meyer Sugar Bowl

If I’m the Buckeyes I’m going back and watching all four losses to try and learn the recipe for success against Oregon from Stanford and Arizona. Then I’m  going to formulate part of my game plan on trying to run a ball control offense, an eat the clock offense with Ezekiel Elliott leading the way, but also using Jalin Marshall, Curtis Samuel, Cardale Jones and maybe Dontre Wilson if he’s healthy on the ground. By establishing the running game and chewing up time on the clock, it should in turn open up the passing game for quarterback Cardale Jones and receivers Devin Smith, Michael Thomas, Evan Spencer and more.

Putting pressure on Mariota was also a major factor in the four losses which helped lead to those 8 turnovers. Not just by sacking him, but forcing him to throw the ball before he wanted to. So that means the Buckeyes defensive line led by All American Joey Bosa, as well as Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington and Steve Miller have to penetrate Oregon’s tough offensive line and get in Mariota’s face to hopefully sack him, at least hit him, or if not, force him to make early errant throws that could end up as interceptions. Also when Bosa or maybe linebacker Darron Lee get a chance, within the rules of the game, they need to hit Mariota as often as they can, as hard as they can, to make life miserable for him in all four quarters of the National Championship game. Just like the Buckeyes defense did to Miami’s Ken Dorsey in the 2002 National Championship contest.

That looks to be the formula on how to beat Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks. Easier said than done of course, but the Buckeyes are a confident team and peaking at the right time, so let’s see if Urban Meyer’s troops can execute a game plan like that and if they do, they’ll have a good chance of winning the game and making history by being crowned National Champions in the first ever year of the College Football Playoff.

OHIO STATE/SUGAR BOWL NOTES AND NUMBERS

With their 42-35 win over Alabama, Ohio State now has the longest winning streak in the country, having won 12 games in a row this season and are (13-1) overall.

The Buckeyes have now officially beaten an SEC team in a Bowl game with the 42-35 win over Alabama.

Urban Meyer is now (2-2) in head-to-head match ups with Nick Saban, (8-2) lifetime in bowl games and is (37-3) in his first three years at Ohio State.

Urban Meyer Sugar Bowl

The 230 yards rushing by Ezekeil Elliott is a new Sugar Bowl record and it was the first time this season that the Crimson Tide gave up 100 yards rushing to a player. Elliott was named the game’s Offensive MVP.

In his last 3 games Elliott has rushed for 571 yards on 57 carries, averaging 10 yards per carry and scored 6 touchdowns.

Ezekeil Elliott and Cardale Jones Sugar Bowl

Third string QB Cardale Jones has started two games now in his career at Ohio State and has posted wins over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game and over #1 ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final.

Devin Smith caught his 30th career touchdown pass, a 47 yarder from Jones in the 3rd quarter.

As a team Ohio State rushed for 281 total yards against the nation’s #1 ranked rushing defense, as Alabama was giving up just 88 yards per game rushing this season. The Buckeyes totaled 537 yards in the win.

OSU Linebacker Darron Lee took home Defensive MVP honors with 7 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.

Darron Lee MVP Sugar Bowl

The Bucks picked off Bama quarterback Blake Simms 3 times, 1 each for Steve Miller, Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell.

Ohio State has now defeated 4 ranked teams this year: #1 Alabama, #8 Michigan State, #13 Wisconsin and #25 Minnesota. They will now play #2 Oregon for the National Championship on January 12th in Arlington, Texas at “Jerry’s World”.

In their last 4 games, the most important games of the season, the Buckeyes have scored 42, 42, 59 and 42 points. The Oregon Ducks in their last 4 games have scored 44, 47, 51 and 59 points.

The guys in the desert have installed Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Oregon as an early 7 point favorite in the National Championship Game.

FYI- The Buckeyes are (5-0) under Urban Meyer when they enter a game as “The Underdog”.

 

 

INSTANT ANALYSIS – OHIO STATE 42 MICHIGAN 28

My thoughts on yet another Buckeyes victory over “That Team Up North”!

Listen Here –

JT Barrett Thumbs Up Injury photo

PODCAST “INSTANT ANALYSIS” OHIO STATE 52 MARYLAND 24

Here’s my breakdown of the Buckeyes 28 point win at Maryland today in their first Big Ten game of the 2014 season.


JT Barrett and O-Line vs Maryland Michael Thomas TD Catch OSU vs Maryland

AN EARLY LOOK AT OHIO STATE at MARYLAND

#20/18 OHIO STATE at MARYLAND  –  Big Ten East Division

Saturday, Oct. 4 • 12p ET • College Park, Md. • Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (51,802)

ABC • Announcers: Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Todd McShay

 

OHIO STATE (3-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) 

Head Coach: Urban Meyer  –  3rd Year (27-3)

Offensive Leaders:

Rush  –     Ezekiel Elliott (55-323 yards, 3 TDs) and

J.T. Barrett (55-205 yards, 1 TD)

Pass  –      J.T. Barrett (70-110, 1,087 yards, 13 TDs)

Rec.  –      Michael Thomas (13-247 yards, 4 TDs) and

Devin Smith (9-278 yards, 4 TDs)

 

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles  –   Joshua Perry (32 tackles)

Sacks  –      Joey Bosa (2.5-26 yards)

 

MARYLAND (4-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) 

Head Coach: Randy Edsall – 4th year (17-25)

Offensive Leaders:

Rush  –     C.J. Brown (56-266 yards, 5 TDs)

Pass  –      C.J. Brown (73-128, 996 yards, 7 TDs)

Rec.  –      Stefon Diggs (29-398 yards, 2 TDs)    (KO Returns  –  29.4 avg – 11th Country)

 

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles  –   Sean Davis (42 tackles)

Sacks  –      Andre Monroe (3.0-20 yards)

INT’s  –       6 as a team (19th in the Country)

“INSTANT ANALYSIS” – OHIO STATE 50 CINCINNATI 28

My thoughts on OSU’s 50-28 win over the Bearcats of Cincinnati in Columbus.

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