Buckeyes’ defensive lapses costly vs. Oregon
Editor’s note: After each Ohio State football game, beat reporters Bill Rabinowitz and Joey Kaufman discuss the lasting storylines and other key developments.
Well, that didn't go swimmingly, did it? Oregon entered Ohio Stadium for the Horseshoe's first game in front of fans since 2019 and got the Ducks' first victory in 10 games against the Buckeyes. Oregon, a twotouchdown underdog, controlled both lines of scrimmaged and exposed Ohio State's defense in a 35-28 stunner.
Next up for the Buckeyes is visiting Tulsa.
Rabinowitz: I'll be honest. I did not expect that outcome, especially if you'd told me that star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and linebacker Justin Flowe wouldn't play for the Ducks. But Oregon deserved to win. The Ducks did everything but stop Ohio State's passing game.
Kaufman: The style of the game, the way the Buckeyes were beaten, is the thing that's staying with me. So let's linger a little bit on the battle in the trenches, especially the way Oregon handled Ohio State's defensive line. The Buckeyes gave up 7.08 yards per carry, the most since Indiana averaged 7.81 against them in 2014. It was also their first time without a sack in a game since 2018. Really an unusual sight.
Rabinowitz: In my DVR review, I counted only a few plays in which the Buckeyes even pressured Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown. As for the run defense, a 77-yard touchdown run will skew the numbers, but only a bit. Oregon too easily got to the second level of Ohio State's defense. Surrendering three touchdowns on essentially the same play is just intolerable. The Buckeyes had trouble defending the boundary (short) side of the field all game.
Kaufman: Your eyes didn't lie, Bill. The analytics website Pro Football Focus counted the quarterback pressures brought by the Buckeyes. It was only seven, matching their second-lowest total in a game since Larry Johnson began coaching the defensive line in 2014. For reference, they averaged 24 per game last season and 17 in 2019.
We're used to watching Ohio State's defensive linemen living in the backfield, not being pushed around.
Rabinowitz: While the front four was just mediocre, the back seven was worse. The linebackers were slow to react and often missed their gaps. I liked the way Denzel Burke played, but the rest of the defensive backs were exposed. Cornerback Sevyn Banks was supposedly available but didn't play. And now it looks like the Buckeyes will be without Josh Proctor long-term. Without him, do they change their single-deep-safety approach?
Kaufman: The injury might indeed force them to use a two-high safety scheme because there isn't anyone on the roster who has really shown to have a grasp on playing the single-high safety outside of Proctor. It's been a slow adjustment for Bryson Shaw, and though Marcus Hooker has experience from last season, there was a reason the defensive staff ultimately had Proctor take over for him. Maybe Lathan Ransom can be a second deep safety. He's already the slot cornerback, which is also referred to as a cover safety position, so it wouldn't require a huge overhaul of an approach.
Rabinowitz: We can speculate all we want about what fixes the coaches will attempt. Hopefully, we'll get some answers Tuesday when Ryan Day and others speak. But the status quo can't continue. Ohio State's defense has been torched the last three games. Kerry Coombs himself said changes have to be made. Will they be personnel, scheme or both?
Kaufman: As much as the defense has been the subject of most of the postgame critiques, let's not overlook the other factors that were at hand. The Buckeyes' 612 total yards of offense led to only four touchdowns. Three times, they were stopped on fourth down inside Oregon's territory. Finishing drives was an issue, as was a running game that averaged only 4.13 yards per carry.
Rabinowitz: Agree. As impressive as the passing numbers were, C.J. Stroud, who was again named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, did miss some throws, and the offensive line wilted on the final two critical drives. The Buckeyes scored only seven points in the first half and had to play from behind all game. Not a recipe for success. It should be pointed out that OSU has apparently settled on its running backs. Miyan Williams and Treveyon Henderson got all the carries. Master Teague didn't play.
Kaufman: While there weren't a lot of holes for either Henderson or Williams to run through against Oregon, do you think the lack of a run threat at quarterback could also be hampering the running game? Stroud hasn't given opponents reason to think he'll ever keep it
on zone reads, so an extra defender doesn't have to stay with him. They can go after a running back. Remember in 2018, the Buckeyes' running backs were less effective with an immobile Dwayne Haskins behind center.
Rabinowitz: No doubt about it. Having a quarterback who can run is like having an extra player on the field in certain circumstances. I do think Stroud can run. He's no Justin Fields, but he's more able than Haskins. Defenses are basically daring Stroud to run. He needs to a few times a game just keep them honest. He also needs to be more decisive when he's flushed from the pocket. But remember, he's played only two games. He's not going to be a finished product yet.
Kaufman: For Stroud and everyone else, the next few weeks are a fertile training ground. Tulsa and Akron come to Columbus during the final weekends of September, then a trip to Rutgers and a visit from Maryland before an idle week in mid-october. The soft stretch of the schedule is the time to figure stuff out.
Rabinowitz: As disappointing as Saturday was, it's not Armageddon, either. One loss doesn't ruin a season, though OSU can't afford another. This still should be a good team. You have ridiculously good receivers, potentially excellent running backs, and an offensive line that just didn't have its best day but is still capable of dominating. But the defense simply has to get fixed or the klieg lights on Coombs will keep getting harsher.
Kaufman: Certainly, it's not a fatal defeat, but remember a two-loss team has never made the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014, leaving the Buckeyes with little room for error. They can't afford another slip up if they want to reach the postseason and vie for a national championship.