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“The signs have been there for a few years that coach Urban Meyer ideally would like to evolve his offense by adding more vertical passing elements.”
Austin Ward, Land of 10
Ohio State has had some incredibly productive quarterbacks since Urban Meyer took over, but the head coach is constantly on the lookout for the complete quarterback. While Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett won plenty of games during their time at Ohio State, the quarterback Meyer wants to replicate in recruiting is Cardale Jones.
Honestly though, what coach wouldn’t want a quarterback like Jones? A cannon for an arm and the ability to run over defenders when needed to. With the talent of running backs Ohio State brings in, Meyer is likely to focus on a quarterback who has a better handle on throwing the football than running it, but he does want a signal caller who can make plays with his legs when needed.
With the Buckeyes transitioning from Barrett to the likely new starter Dwayne Haskins, Meyer, Kevin Wilson, and Ryan Day will be looking to get their talented wide receivers more involved in the offense. Haskins won’t run the ball as much as Barrett did, and has a better arm, which should help the Ohio State offense evolve into more of a pro-style offense. Early enrollee Matthew Baldwin shares a lot of the same traits as Haskins, which means the Ohio State quarterback position should be in good hands for years to come.
“Obviously it’s a big deal to us, just from where we came from last year it’s a new place for us in the Big Ten. (Coach) has stressed that we have to play better than we did (last time) against Penn State. This game (Thursday) obviously means a lot for where we’ll finish up.”
Ohio State guard C.J. Jackson via Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
It isn’t that Ohio State played all that bad when they lost to Penn State on Jan. 25 in Columbus, the Nittany Lions were just shooting at another level three weeks ago. Not only did Penn State hit the first five three-pointers they attempted in the upset of the Buckeyes, but the Nittany Lions finished the game 11-of-14 from behind the three-point arc—with the final of those triples coming from Tony Carr as time expired to give Penn State the victory. The 82 points Ohio State gave up to Penn State in the loss were the most Ohio State has given up in a Big Ten game this year.
Avenging last month’s loss would certainly help Ohio State’s standing in the Big Ten. Currently the Buckeyes control their own destiny, but Michigan State and Purdue are ready to pounce should Ohio State falter down the stretch. If Ohio State wins out, they’ll earn their first outright regular season Big Ten title since 2010-11. Even if the Buckeyes lose one of their final four games and the Spartans and Boilermakers win the rest of their games, Ohio State can still at least claim a share of the Big Ten title.
“I think winningest programs always come down to the players. I’m very happy for the seniors. If anyone a couple years ago told them they would be part of a team with the most wins in Ohio State women’s hockey program, I don’t think they would have believed that.”
Ohio State women’s hockey associate head coach Peter Elander via Andrew Joseph, The Lantern
The Ohio State women’s hockey team has a chance to make some history this weekend, as they close out the regular season at home against Bemidji State. The Buckeyes currently have 20 wins on the season, which is tied with the 2006-07 team for the most in school history. Setting the school record for most wins in a season would be a nice treat for the four seniors who will be suiting up this weekend at home for the last time for the Buckeyes.
To reach the school record for wins, Ohio State will have to defeat a Bemidji State team who split a pair of games with Ohio State in Minnesota in November. The Buckeyes will at least have some momentum on their side, as they have won three of four games heading into this weekend’s matchups with the Beavers.
Currently Ohio State is sitting second in the WCHA, with Minnesota right behind them. A couple wins over Bemidji State could put some distance between the Buckeyes and the Golden Gophers ahead of the WCHA Tournament which starts next week. Ohio State has never made an NCAA Tournament, but if they finish the season strong they just might work themselves into the conversation for a bid.
STICK TO SPORTS
- Spirit Airlines started service from John Glenn International Airport today.
- 20 years after their last tour, The Smashing Pumpkins are coming to Columbus in August.
- Stauf’s Coffee is about a month away from opening their new location at the View on Grant.
- Cheeseburgers won’t be included on McDonald’s Happy Meal menus anymore.
- Elton John and Beyoncé are working on a song for the Lion King remake.