Iceland12
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 24,758
- Reaction score
- 2,421
- Points
- 113
http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/con...osu-minnesota/1115-ohio-state-game-story.html
MINNEAPOLIS — The weather was the coldest for an Ohio State game in at least 50 years, with the added fun of constant snow.
At times, the Buckeyes were their own worst enemy.
Their opponent, though limited by a meager passing game, was every bit the well-drilled team they expected, and took advantage of those mistakes. So even though a 31-24 victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium was closer than it should have been at a time of year when style points matter, Ohio State was in no mood to apologize.
“This is a tough environment,” coach Urban Meyer said. “I’d like to see any team in the country come up here and do this — play here in November against a very good team. Have at it.”
This had all the elements of a trap game — an emotional win over Michigan State last week, a kickoff at 11 a.m. local time after three straight night games, 15 degrees at kickoff and an up-and-coming opponent eager to stake its claim as a bona fide Big Ten contender.
“The whole deal made it potential for an upset,” offensive line coach Ed Warinner said. “We did everything we could to prepare and educate the players.”
They started as if they had gotten the message, even if the weather was frightful..
The Gophers kicked a field goal to cut Ohio State’s lead to seven with 1:19 left, but Ohio State’s Jeff Heuerman recovered the Gophers’ onside kick to secure the victory.
“Great team win,” Meyer said. “Not great execution, but a great team win.”
Added offensive coordinator Tom Herman, “This was a top-25 team (in the College Football Playoff rankings) with a top-20 defense. (We were) on the road with very unfavorable conditions, and we turned the ball over (three) times and still found a way to win.
“So it’s a great team effort and very encouraging. But obviously we’re not going to be able to go where we want to go turning the ball over like that.”
How the playoff selection committee will judge the victory won’t be known until Tuesday.
MINNEAPOLIS — The weather was the coldest for an Ohio State game in at least 50 years, with the added fun of constant snow.
At times, the Buckeyes were their own worst enemy.
Their opponent, though limited by a meager passing game, was every bit the well-drilled team they expected, and took advantage of those mistakes. So even though a 31-24 victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium was closer than it should have been at a time of year when style points matter, Ohio State was in no mood to apologize.
“This is a tough environment,” coach Urban Meyer said. “I’d like to see any team in the country come up here and do this — play here in November against a very good team. Have at it.”
This had all the elements of a trap game — an emotional win over Michigan State last week, a kickoff at 11 a.m. local time after three straight night games, 15 degrees at kickoff and an up-and-coming opponent eager to stake its claim as a bona fide Big Ten contender.
“The whole deal made it potential for an upset,” offensive line coach Ed Warinner said. “We did everything we could to prepare and educate the players.”
They started as if they had gotten the message, even if the weather was frightful..
The Gophers kicked a field goal to cut Ohio State’s lead to seven with 1:19 left, but Ohio State’s Jeff Heuerman recovered the Gophers’ onside kick to secure the victory.
“Great team win,” Meyer said. “Not great execution, but a great team win.”
Added offensive coordinator Tom Herman, “This was a top-25 team (in the College Football Playoff rankings) with a top-20 defense. (We were) on the road with very unfavorable conditions, and we turned the ball over (three) times and still found a way to win.
“So it’s a great team effort and very encouraging. But obviously we’re not going to be able to go where we want to go turning the ball over like that.”
How the playoff selection committee will judge the victory won’t be known until Tuesday.