"They are the best defensive line that we've seen in the three years since I've been the head coach."
-Kyle Flood, Rutgers head coach
All off-season long we were told that the Ohio State defensive line was one of the top units in the nation. National publication after national publication singled out the Buckeyes’ front four as a position group to watch. Now, five games into the season, at least one opposing coach believes the hype. Speaking to the media today, Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood said this of the Ohio State linemen:
They are the best defensive line that we've seen in the three years since I've been the head coach. As the offensive line coach for seven years prior to that, I don't know that we faced a group as talented and as deep. They play nine guys on their defensive line, and they are all very talented. The Bosa kid is an exceptional, exceptional football player but he's not the only one. They are very good up front and it's not because of one guy. They have got a collective group that's very talented.
The Buckeye defensive line will have to be come up big this Saturday against Rutgers. Quarterback Gary Nova is quietly having a solid season and the Scarlet Knights’ passing attack is averaging almost 270 yards a game. Getting pressure on the quarterback will be paramount as the Buckeye defense looks to help out a pass defense that is still finding its way.
"Everybody in here gets paid to do a job and that's what everybody needs to do."
-Adam "Pacman" Jones, via NFL.com
Beloved Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent has had a rough 2014 for the Cincinnati Bengals, missing five field goals in the first four games. Yesterday it got quite a bit rougher. Nugent made his first three field goals as the Bengals and Panthers battled to the bitter end of the overtime period. With just a few seconds left, Nugent had the opportunity to make a 36-yard field goal to win the game. He did not make that field goal, and at least one of his teammates was not happy.
"We were in a perfect position to win the game, two seconds left on the clock, we've got to win the game, Everybody in here gets paid to do a job and that's what everybody needs to do."
-Adam Jones
While some might question the wisdom of blasting a teammate minutes after your defense finished giving up 431 yards of offense and 37 points, there’s no doubt that Nugent’s play is putting his career with the Bengals in jeopardy. It’s ok, though, Mike. Buckeye fans will always love you, if for no other reason than that one time when you spared us all the indignity of losing to Marshall.
"High Point's John Brown might be the best player in the country you've never heard of."
-Mike Rutherford, SBNation
SBNation has released its rankings of the 50 best non-conference college basketball games and three contests involving the Buckeyes made the list. Coming in at 49 is Ohio State’s matchup against the aforementioned High Point Panthers. John Brown, the Panthers’ unquestioned star averaged 19.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last season, helping the High Point secure the regular season Big South championship. Ohio State’s December 2 matchup against Louisville is the 12th-ranked game on the list one spot ahead of the North Carolina v. Ohio State CBS Sports Classic contest (Dec. 20) against North Carolina. Though it hasn’t always been the case under Matta, there are some big time non-conference matchups for Buckeye fans to look forward to this season.
Ohio State into the @USCHO poll at No. 17 after splitting weekend series with now No. 5 Providence. http://t.co/CE00MeUQek #GoBucks
— Ohio State M Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) October 13, 2014
Continuing the tradition of Ohio State sports teams being awesome, the men’s hockey team cracked the USCHO poll, coming in at #17. The Buckeyes are 1-1 on the season after splitting a series with #5 Providence to open the season. The Buckeyes won the first game 5-4 before falling 2-1 in the second contest.
Up next for the Buckeyes is a home-and-home series with the Miami Redhawks. The first game is 10/17 in Oxford. The second will be in Columbus on 10/18 at 7:00 p.m.
STICK TO SPORTS
- It's Columbus day, but Columbus was kind of a colossal prick. Celebrate Canadian thanksgiving instead.
- Maybe Stone Brewing didn't come to Columbus because the city didn't write it a blank check.
- Esquire names Penelope Cruz its sexiest woman alive and asks Chris Jones to write about her. Jones writes a bloated article about bullfighting instead.
- This guy, man. He goes hard for the city of Columbus.
- Local landmark turns 30.