The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
November 15, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "The Blue Streak, Plenty on the Line, Rare Opportunity, Campus Capers, Road Warriors, Lloyd and Coop, and The Reaper; they're all covered in the-Ozone Note and Quotebook..."
Eddie George on Saturday's OSU-Michigan game: 'It's gonna be hell'
November 13, 2007 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "The Buckeyes' 1995 Heisman Trophy winner thinks his alma mater, despite three straight victories over the Wolverines, will be walking into a frying pan Saturday in Ann Arbor. The winner will be crowned undisputed Big Ten champion. 'Ohio State will win,' George said Monday. 'I believe we have the athletes to get it done, but it will be tough. It will be hard to pull off because Michigan, they feel like if they win this game, all is erased -- (losses to) Appalachian State, Oregon, Wisconsin. They win the Big Ten title and they're in the Rose Bowl. Their seniors have one more chance against Ohio State, at home, for the Rose Bowl, for the Big Ten title ... after all they've been through. It's gonna be hell.'..."..."
Honesty not best policy week of The Game
November 13, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Jim Tressel practically made crusty old Coach Curmudgeon, Michigan football grump Lloyd Carr, sound like Mr. Sunshine, a guy he'd like to spend the summer fishing with in an isolated outpost in northern Ontario. One of the leaders of the conference. Great coach. Great wisdom. Outstanding man. With a little more time, the Ohio State coach might have turned Carr into the spiritual leader of the free world and his Michigan squad into the best three-loss team in college football history..."
I'm Just Sayin:
"...This doesn't take anything away from Illinois but in case anyone is unsure whether Daniel Dufrene fumbled the ball:
"Instead he was ruled down and, for the record, the whistle did blow before the Buckeyes recovered in the endzone. It's one thing to miss a call, it's worse when you prevent replay from working as designed. In the you-can't-make-this-up-file, this is the same crew that's already facing suspension and possible termination for their egregious performance during the Purdue/Penn State game just last week. Compare names with the boxscore. Again, not that it would have made any difference, just a factoid worthy of mention.
FYI: RULE 12 / INSTANT REPLAY
Miscellaneous: ARTICLE 3. Miscellaneous reviewable plays include: a. A runner judged to have been not down by rule. (Note: If a runner is ruled down, the play is not reviewable). (page 146)
Live Ball Becomes Dead: ARTICLE 2. a. A live ball becomes a dead ball as provided in the rules or when an official sounds his whistle (even though inadvertently) or otherwise signals the ball dead (A.R. 4-2-1-II and A.R. 4-2-4-I). (page 78) |
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"Scoreboard Operation: I have to join Ramzy's* bandwagon in suggesting for a major change in the scoreboard operation at Ohio Stadium. There's been a longstanding policy not to show controversial plays on the video board. That is, until last week when they decided to show a close play in the favor of Wisconsin. Who's the home team here, Mr. Scoreboard operator? Which brings me to my point: Jim Tressel said the coaches in the box don't have television monitors to know whether he should challenge a ruling on the field. Yet, we have 10 million dollar scoreboard with the biggest replay screen in Ohio that does nothing more than to show goofy OSU animation..." (November 12, 2007 Source: Buckeye Commentary)
Big Ten has nothing new to add about officiating
November 13, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Whether Illinois running back Daniel Dufrene fumbled last Saturday against Ohio State is not in question. The issue is whether the play was reviewable by the replay officials, and if it was, why there was no review. The Big Ten Conference yesterday offered no explanation for its officiating crew, the same crew that came under criticism for its performance a week earlier at Purdue. A request to speak with Big Ten coordinator of officials Dave Parry was directed to conference spokesman Scott Chipman, who said he had 'no updates' on the issue..."
Big Ten may have committed a costly error
November 12, 2007 Source: Sporting News - "Did the Big Ten make a $4.5 million mistake by allowing an officiating crew that was facing a suspension this weekend to work last Saturday's Illinois-Ohio State game? As I reported last week, a source told me the conference plans to suspend the crew that officiated the Nov. 3 Purdue-Penn State game based on a review of its work in that game. That same crew worked one of the biggest Big Ten games of the year last weekend in Columbus. Incredible. Why would the Big Ten assign the crew -- a few of whom could be fired for their work in the Purdue-Penn State game -- to a game of this importance?..."
*"...And speaking of rules, a message to the crack team of scoreboard operators at Ohio Stadium, who are apparently too busy eating paste and watching Japanese anime during home games to be bothered with the Ohio State football game going on below them: You are at core of what is wrong with Buckeye home games. While you’re living out your dork fantasies with your humorless animation that nobody in the stadium is there to see, there are over 100,000 people that prefer to see a replay on the state’s largest video scoreboard. Was Brian Robiskie juggling the ball as he was forced out of bounds on the Wisconsin sideline? We could have used a replay there. Did Travis Beckum catch or trap that touchdown pass? No one at the game was allowed to see, even while the play was being reviewed in the booth. Where were all of those illegal blocks that were called– could we see those punt returns that were called back again? Only people with access to Big Ten Network knew - those of us who paid admission were kept from seeing it..." (Source: Ramzy: Tuesday Morning Hangover November 6, 2007 Bucknuts.com)
Webmaster note: I was told in an e-mail, by a respected source, that the player was not ruled down. Also, Tressel at his press conference today (November 12) said, in answer to this question: "Following up on that, the fumble at the end of their first run, did you send that in this week for an inquiry of why there was no replay of that or no scrutiny from the press box?", "From what I understand now, I didn't know this then, is that there was a technical difficulty with the replay system and I guess that happens. We had a couple technical difficulties with what we were doing too, so that didn't make the difference in the game." |
OSU's robust defense suddenly sickly
November 12, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "It's one thing when defensive back Malcolm Jenkins and linebacker Marcus Freeman bite on an option fake and let Illinois running back Daniel Dufrene break through a hole and shoot 80 yards. It's another when the whole Ohio State defense steps toward the line to stop a potential reverse and Chimdi Chekwa gets beat one-on-one for a 33-yard touchdown pass. It's another when a team that allowed 12 first-quarter points in the first 10 games lets Illinois score 14, another when a completely blown coverage allows one more touchdown, this a wide-open 31-yard score..."
Players of the Week (Illinois):
Offensive Player of the Week: Not awarded
Defensive Player of the Week: Kurt Coleman, DB
Special Units Player of the Week: Shaun Lane , DB
Scout Team Champions: Defense: Zach Slagle; Special Units: Matt Daniels; Offense: Zach Willis
Attack Force Award: Vernon Gholston , DE
Jim Parker Lineman Award: Not awarded
Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award: Not awarded
Twice Bitten
November 12, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "For a program looking to recover from last year's BCS Championship game and straighten a damaged perception because of an SEC onslaught, Saturday's 28-21 loss to Illinois was an unproductive day for Ohio State. For the second time in less than a year, the Buckeyes suffered national embarrassment. Both times can be pointed to upstart Ron Zook. Kyle Lamb explains..."
 | Mr. Bucknuts' Bucket Of Bullets
November 11, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Mr. Bucknuts goes through his cycle of grief and takes you with him on a tour of the Illinois loss, the Michigan games, more Charlie Capers in South Bend, a few modest proposals on recruiting and juniors leaving early and discussions of both coaching and the Big Ten bowl qualifiers. All that and more in today’s Bucket of Bullets..." |
 | Coaches Poll
Source: USA Today
BCS Rankings
Source: USA Today
AP Poll
Source: Associated Press
Top 25 Overview WEEK 11
November 10, 2007 Source: ESPN - Overview of all Top 25 Teams for the eleventh week of the season, including Recap, Box Score, Play-by-Play, Drive Chart, Photos (links to 'previous weeks' results too)
Cynics smiling at Ohio State loss
November 12, 2007 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "The F bombs started flying at 6:26 p.m., as the darkness became more pronounced over Ohio Stadium. And, no, this isn't about the choice words the vanquished had for the victors, who incited a near-rumble by attempting a rumba on the home team's 'O.' The derogatory daggers jabbing at Kirk Barton were more subconscious in nature. Todd Boeckman. Fraud. Ohio State's steel curtain defense. Fraud. The No. 1 team in the nation. Fraud..." |
No. 1 Ohio State Loses, 28-21, to Illinois
November 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Illinois came into Ohio Stadium and did what no other team has been able to do all season: run its offense to perfection, limit Ohio State's chances and capitalize on turnovers which all led to a 28-21 upset win over No. 1 Ohio State..."
Scoring Summary, Team Statistics, Individual Statistics, Drive Chart, Defensive Statistics, Play-by-Play
Williams leads Illini to upset of No. Ohio State
November 10, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Top-ranked Ohio State's national title hopes teetered on a timeout, the ball inches from a first down for Illinois. Illini coach Ron Zook changed his mind, decided to go for it on fourth down and that was the beginning of the end for the Buckeyes' hopes of redeeming themselves in this season's national championship game..."
Williams shines as Buckeyes come up short
November 10, 2007 Source: FoxSports.com - "Fresh off losing 28-21 to unranked Illinois, the No. 1 Buckeyes finally decided to play some defense. When some Illinois players jumped on the O at midfield, several Ohio State players charged over to defend their turf. Should have started doing that a few hours ago, fellas..."
 | Highlights: Illinois-Ohio State
November 10, 2007 Source: FoxSports.com - "Watch highlights from Illinois' shocking upset over top ranked Ohio State. Juice Williams led the way for the Fighting Illini with four touchdown passes..." |
| ESPN Postgame Highlights: OSU vs. Illinois
November 10, 2007 Source: ESPN/Bucknuts.com - "It's not something a lot of Buckeye fans want to revisit, but in case you do, here are some OSU-Illinois highlights and a postgame interview with Illinois head coach Ron Zook..." |
| Illinois Postgame
November 12, 2007 Source: CoachTressel.com - "Carla Carling takes a look at the OSU - Illinois game..." |
Williams ignites Illini upset of top-ranked Buckeyes
November 10, 2007 Source: ESPN.com - "So long No. 1. Juice Williams' blend of runs and passes sparked Illinois past top-ranked Ohio State and stirred up the BCS mix, writes Ivan Maisel..."
Words can't express missed championship opportunity
November 11, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "After the stinging defeat, a few of the Buckeyes mouthed the words to Carmen Ohio, but most stood motionless Saturday evening as the marching band played the alma mater, some players hanging their heads, others staring straight ahead but seeing nothing. How in the world could this happen?..."
| Team Totals | ILL | OSU | | FIRST DOWNS | 19 | 18 | | Rushing | 13 | 13 | | Passing | 6 | 5 | | Penalty | 0 | 0 | | NET YARDS RUSHING | 260 | 180 | | Rushing Attempts | 51 | 36 | | Average Per Rush | 5.1 | 5.0 | | Rushing Touchdowns | 0 | 3 | | Yards Gained Rushing | 276 | 204 | | Yards Lost Rushing | 16 | 24 | | NET YARDS PASSING | 140 | 156 | | Completions-Attempts-Int | 12-22-0 | 13-23-3 | | Average Per Attempt | 6.4 | 6.8 | | Average Per Completion | 11.7 | 12.0 | | Passing Touchdowns | 4 | 0 | | TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS | 400 | 336 | | Total offense plays | 73 | 59 | | Average Gain Per Play | 5.5 | 5.7 | | Fumbles: Number-Lost | 0-0 | 1-0 | | Penalties: Number-Yards | 1-10 | 2-9 | | PUNTS-YARDS | 6-230 | 4-175 | | Average Yards Per Punt | 38.3 | 43.8 | | Net Yards Per Punt | 34.3 | 39.2 | | Inside 20 | 2 | 1 | | 50+ Yards | 1 | 1 | | Touchbacks | 0 | 1 | | Fair catch | 0 | 0 | | KICKOFFS-YARDS | 5-303 | 4-261 | | Average Yards Per Kickoff | 60.6 | 65.2 | | Net Yards Per Kickoff | 46.0 | 47.0 | | Touchbacks | 0 | 1 | | Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD | 2--2-0 | 4-24-0 | | Average Per Return | -1.0 | 6.0 | | Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD | 3-53-0 | 5-73-0 | | Average Per Return | 17.7 | 14.6 | | Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD | 3-0-0 | 0-0-0 | | Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | | Miscellaneous Yards | 0 | 0 | | Possession Time | 33:00 | 27:00 | | 1st Quarter | 5:30 | 9:30 | | 2nd Quarter | 8:32 | 6:28 | | 3rd Quarter | 5:12 | 9:48 | | 4th Quarter | 13:46 | 1:14 | | Third-Down Conversions | 8 of 17 | 5 of 13 | | Fourth-Down Conversions | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | | Red-Zone Scores-Chances | 2-2 | 3-4 | | Sacks By: Number-Yards | 2-15 | 1-2 | | PAT Kicks | 4-4 | 3-3 | | Field Goals | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Stat of the game: Ohio State had the ball for only one minute and fourteen seconds in the 4th quarter; they ran only three plays, one was an interception.
It was over when: Marcus Thomas intercepted a Todd Boeckman pass midway through the fourth quarter, giving Illinois possession. The Illini hung on for the win.
Firsts And Lasts: Illinois' 28-21 victory over No. 1 Ohio State was big for the following reasons:
- Ends Ohio State's Big Ten-record 20-game winning streak.
- Ends Ohio State's school-record 28-game regular season win streak.
- Illinois' first win vs. a No. 1 team since 1956.
- Illinois' first-ever win vs. a No. 1 team on road.
- Illinois is first team to rush for over 200 yards vs. Ohio State since 2001.
How The Mighty Fall: An unranked team has beaten a top-5 team nine times this season. Since the AP poll began in 1936, there had never been more than eight wins by unranked teams over top-5 teams in a year when at least 20 teams were ranked. The only time there were more than eight such upsets was 1967 -- one of seven seasons in which only 10 teams were ranked in the AP poll. |
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 | Postgame Transcript From No. 1 Ohio State vs. Illinois
November 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Well, it was a hard fought football game like we knew it would be and hats off to Illinois. They did the things that you need to do to win a tough battle and unfortunately we didn't do all the things that you need to do..."
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Postgame Quotes From No. 1 Ohio State vs. Illinois
November 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Maurice Wells, junior running back on the play of the Illinois defense: 'Their front four played well. They got pressure on Todd (Boeckman) and plugged up the running lanes. They also covered our receivers pretty well too. It was a complete defensive effort on their part.'..." (and) Illinois Postgame Coach and Player Quotes..."
Postgame Notes From No. 1 Ohio State vs. Illinois
November 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State's school-record regular-season winning streak ended at 28. The Buckeyes' last lost in a regular-season contest was at Penn State, 17-10, Oct. 8, 2005...Ohio State is now 67-10-1 when ranked No. 1 in the country. Overall, the Buckeyes are 412-125-14 as a Top 25 team..."
No huddle takes Juice out of OSU
November 11, 2007 Source: Warren Tribune Chronicle - "So how did Illinois put the nation’s best defense on the defensive? The no-huddle offense, run by a play-making quarterback, had a lot to do with it. The Illini used the no-huddle to take away some of Ohio State’s usual aggressiveness on defense, and sophomore quarterback Juice Williams played an error-free game in a 28-21 upset of the Buckeyes..."
Decisions by Tressel prove costly for Buckeyes
November 11, 2007 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "Ron Zook was the coach who went into Saturday's game with a less than stellar reputation for game management. But it was two coaching decisions by Ohio State's Jim Tressel that had a huge bearing on the 28-21 loss to Illinois..."
| It's NOT the Spread, It's the Read Option
November 11, 2007 Source: Buckeye Commentary - "The spread this, the spread that. If the loss isn't enough, listening to these announcers reason our defeat is brutal. For the record, it was not "the spread" that was the problem, but rather the read option. We have faced a bazillion spread teams under Tressel and have fared very well...The difference is a team can run the spread but not the read option. And, the read option was the difference in this game because it forced our defense to take a wait and see approach..." |
Instant Analysis: Illinois-Ohio State
November 10, 2007 Source: College FootballNews.com - "In college football's year of craziness, how fitting was it that precisely when you least expected it, hell froze over. No, it wasn't that Illinois knocked Ohio State out of the BCS national title game. It was the fact that Ron Zook outcoached Jim Tressel in a fourth-quarter game of chicken..."
 | Analysis: Buckeye Title Hopes Go Up In Smoke
November 10, 2007 Source: Eleven Warriors - "Where do I even begin? I guess I should first give credit to Illinois for coming into the ‘Shoe and punching the Buckeyes in the mouth. The Illini controlled both lines of scrimmage en route to a 28-21 upset victory over Ohio State knocking Jim Tressel’s squad out of the national title picture. The Buckeye defense, especially the front 7, had no answer for Juice Williams and the Illinois read option attack surrendering 260 yards on the ground and 400 total. The pass defense gave up only 140 yards but allowed 4 TD tosses, more than a few to wide open receivers..."
Five Things: Illinois
November 11, 2007 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...Considering how young this team is, there’s a great sense of optimism heading into the final two games and next season. 10-1 in a 'rebuilding' year? We love it..." |
Pressure disrupts Boeckman
November 11, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Just when Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman looked as if he was going to run off and be a hero yesterday, he threw it all away. The junior threw three interceptions, two at crucial moments in the second half..."
I-N-T's spell trouble for Boeckman's day
November 11, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "Midway through the first quarter, Todd Boeckman was cruising. The Ohio State quarterback had completed 6-of-7 passes for 112 yards but faced a third-and-8 on his own 42-yard line. Eyeing receiver Brian Hartline as he cut to the left sideline, Boeckman fired toward him. But Illinois cornerback Dere Hicks slipped in front of Hartline and intercepted the pass, inspiring the nearby Illini sideline..."
 | Too Much Juice Short-Circuits Buckeyes
November 11, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "Led by quarterback Juice Williams the Illini came into Ohio Stadium on senior day and toppled mistake-prone No. 1 Ohio State from the ranks of the unbeaten. Check out the-Ozone report..." |
 | Illinois Ruins Buckeyes' Perfect Season
November 10, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "For 10 straight weeks, Ohio State relied on a stingy defense that refused to allow opposing teams to breathe. In week 11, however, the Buckeyes simply couldn’t come up with a stop when they needed to most and bowed to Illinois 28-21 in front of 105,533 in Ohio Stadium..." |
 | Captain's Corner: Illinois Gets It Done
November 10, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "OSU's loss to Illinois was not a case of the Buckeyes giving the game away. The Illini simply played the better game, writes Jerry Rudzinski. Check it out in this version of the Captain's Corner..." |
 | The Bottom Line
November 11, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ever since Ohio State ascended the college football throne, national pundits were convinced there was some sort of toxic liquid that would make the Buckeyes gag. Illinois brought a whole case of it: Juice. Leaves are awarded on a zero-to-five basis..."
Report Card
November 11, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Illinois linebacker J Leman...There were several plays Saturday that OSU running back Beanie Wells normally would have bounced outside for a nice 12-yard gain or so. But they didn't happen. The reason? Leman. The Illini senior was as good as advertised, making a team-high 12 tackles, and he now has more wins during his senior season (8) than he had during his first three years at Illinois (7)..."
OSU-Illinois Report Card
November 11, 2007 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "OFFENSIVE LINE: Pass protection was the poorest it's been all season. Even though he was sacked only twice, Todd Boeckman had somebody in his face on practically every pass..." |
How Ohio State's opponents fared
| DATE | OPPONENT | SITE | W-L | THIS WEEK'S RESULT |
| Sept. 1 | Youngstown State | home | 7-4 | beat Western Illinois 31-24 |
| Sept. 8 | Akron | home | 4-6 | beat Ohio 48-37 |
| Sept. 15 | Washington | away | 3-7 | lost to Oregon State 29-23 |
| Sept. 22 | Northwestern | home | 6-5 | beat Indiana 31-28 |
| Sept. 29 | Minnesota | away | 1-10 | lost to Iowa 21-16 |
| Oct. 6 | Purdue | away | 7-4 | lost to Michigan State 48-31 |
| Oct. 13 | Kent State | home | 3-7 | lost to Northern Illinois 27-20 |
| Oct. 20 | Michigan State | home | 6-5 | beat Purdue 48-31 |
| Oct. 27 | Penn State | away | 8-3 | beat Temple 31-0 |
| Nov. 3 | Wisconsin | home | 8-3 | beat TSUN 37-21 |
| Nov. 10 | Illinois | home | 8-3 | beat Ohio State 28-21 |
| Nov. 17 | TSUN | away | 8-3 | lost to Wisconsin 37-21 |
 | Gutsy call shows Zook can coach and listen -- as well as recruit
November 10, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Illinois secures a 28-21 upset of No. 1 Ohio State by playing keep away in the final quarter, made possible when Ron Zook reconsiders a punt on fourth-and-inches. The ace recruiter can coach after all, Dennis Dodd says..."
Inch by inch, Zook shows doubters he really can coach
November 11, 2007 Source: The Chicago Sun Times - "There were a lot of tense moments. There always are when an upstart is doing the unthinkable by upsetting a team ranked No. 1. The moment that will stick, though, is when Ron Zook put it all on the line. On fourth and inches at his own 33, Zook decided to go for the first down..."
Illinois coach is 2-time spoiler for OSU
November 11, 2007 Source: The Morning Journal - "Ron Zook recruited the team that beat the Buckeyes last year for the national championship. Yesterday he took it away from them again..." |
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