Back to our early season roots

by Artiefufkin10 on Nov 22, 2008 8:31 PM EST

Not trying to pull the whole "I told you so," business, but guess what?

I told you so.

Earlier this week I commented on how the team seemed to be getting away from their diverse attack which made them so successful earlier this year. In particular, where was Lawlor providing the big creases, throws across the middle to our circus freak Norwood, Clark scrambling when nothing was available?

The team came full circle today. Everybody stepped up and it was probably the best offensive performance since OrSU. Not to diss MSU, but we did the right thing by putting them away early and getting them out of their comfort zone. Call it running up the score if you're sensitive, but I call it taking advantage of mistakes and stepping on their throats to prevent a melt down.

How creative was the offensive play calling today? Clarks double fake to a streaking Butler...easily one of the coolest plays I've ever seen? Using the middle of the field which was always there? Clark scrambling on the bootleg to find Graham "tip toe" Zug? Goal line efficiency. When was the last time we didn't need to kick any field goals?

I've almost taken it for granted, but does any team shut down the run as well as this one? Great plan b Bradley and LJ. Nice to see the DBs get some picks too. I was skeptic early on, but Seargent and Rubin ended up alright out there. Seargent, while maybe not the most naturally gifted player, has improved a lot over the course of the season.

This season is one of the best I've ever seen. A+'s for everyone.

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Field Goals

Doesn’t this game break Kevin Kelly’s streak of field goals?

by cjapsu on Nov 22, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions

oh snap...

yeah… It does… never thought I would be so happy to see a streak end

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 22, 2008 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

I was actually commenting on that before/during the game

I wanted to see Lawlor get a TD (as well as the 3 WRs), and I wanted Kelly to add one more to his streak. I was even thinking that if we had a drive that wasn’t even really stalling, late in the game, that we would just opt for the FG to give one more senior the recognition he deserved. Of course Sparty didn’t help things much, giving up multiple 40+ yard TD passes in the second half. It was actually a bit bittersweat cheering for those TDs, realizing Kelly probably wouldn’t (and didn’t) get his FG.

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 23, 2008 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

I agree and disagree with you. I agree that this team returned to its form that preceeded the OSU game, in the games since the OSU game, we didn’t have the same tools, until today, meaning Daryll Clark has not been the same since having his bell rung in Columbus, again, that is until today, I don’t think the game plan changed, I think the health of our QB has.

by ljdevine on Nov 22, 2008 8:44 PM EST reply actions

The Same Tools

Meaning today Darryll Clark was not an overpressing, overthinking ’I’m a leader and I lead and it’s all on me to…’ type of qb today. Guess what? He was relaxed. Wonder who taught him to do that?

pax et amor

by jtothep on Nov 23, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

just a wild guess...but perhaps their initials are M.E. and A.K.?

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 23, 2008 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

HA! I posted this on Monday

"Let me soothe you with my uncanny predictions… A week ago I predicted:

"This Sat. game against Indiana we are going to come out looking our worst all season — I guarantee you Clark will play his worst half of football in the first half. A noon game after a crushing loss is the recipe for underachieving."

So obviously I’m in tune with the universe and can accurately see the future. Let me make another startling prediction, which I hope will help to soothe you:

In the 2nd Quarter we will wake up and score 21 points on MSU similar to the Wisconsin game. I’m predicting the team we knew and loved from Sep/Oct will return. I believe Clark has exercised his demons and he has grown up a lot, and he’ll play well on Sat"

Now tell me that prediction of 21 points in the 2nd Quarter doesn’t qualify as uncanny.

Great game. My favorite part was the Senior Section’s chants of “We Want Paul” before they put Cianciolo in. Really really awesome.

by millzners on Nov 23, 2008 9:50 AM EST reply actions

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2008/11/17/663157/grading-the-offense-agains#10092178

link thing didn’t work.

by millzners on Nov 23, 2008 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

I loved that as well

and everyone cheering him on like mad on his scramble and his completed passes!

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 23, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

hell yeah!

Paulie C deserved that love and I am glad that we were able to put Sparty away early to get him and all the other seniors some playing time yesterday

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 23, 2008 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

It shows the depth of appreciation this university has for it's players

That the third string QB is getting his name chanted by 10k people like that. When he finally went in half the stadium (the half paying attention) broke into cheers and applause.

I was really proud of our student section for giving someone who’s worked so hard that kind of support and recognition.

by millzners on Nov 23, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions