The final player in the TatFive group, Solomon Thomas, wasn't a huge blow to the team at the time. Sure he had got some playing time during the season, but most fans were worried with the normal household names. By the end of the night, he had made his mark on the 2010-2011 Sugar Bowl. After a blocked punt that gave all the momentum in the world to Arkansas, the pressure came up the middle from Ross Homan, and Mallett was forced to throw before he wanted to. That's when Thomas, made the play of his career to seal up the Sugar Bowl win.
The Buckeyes (12-1) had lost their previous nine postseason meetings against the SEC. They finally ended the slide and earned some respect for the Big Ten after a dismal performance on New Year's Day, when the league went 0-5 -- including three losses to SEC schools. They ended up winning against Arkansas 31-26, ending the chance for an SEC sweep.
My Thoughts:
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| Sanzenbacher picked up TP's fumble for a TD. |
- Heyward was brilliant, but my own personal MVP would have to be Sanzenbacher. I mean, really. The man is one of those few guys that doesn't give up on a play, and happens to be where he needs to be to make a play. All night long, the Great Dane was open, and caught a TD as well. A good night for the senior. He will be missed.
- The Tat Five were the ones really coming in hot. Terrelle Pryor went 14/25 for 221 passing yards and 115 rushing yards. He accounted for 2 of the Buckeye's touchdowns. Boom Herron carried the ball 24 times for 87 yards with 1 touchdown, but he was running like a crazed man, bouncing off tacklers like the NCAA games. DeVier Posey had 3 receptions for 70 yards, but caught a 43 yard bomb that was just a fantastic catch in the endzone.
Mike Adams did his job that night allowing (along with his other linemen) about 1 or 2 sacks the whole night. Finally, Solomon Thomas has been deemed a hero for coming up with the interception giving the Buckeyes ball control for the last minute.
- The tight end use! Ohio State used TIGHT ENDS EFFECTIVELY! Stoneburner and Reid Fragel combined for 4 catches and 81 yards. Those catches came on a couple of key third downs for Ohio State, and Jim Tressel maximized his opportunities by getting the TE's involved.
- Hats off to the defense. They played like a championship caliber team that night, and really kept the Buckeyes up when the offense stalled. We're losing some significant starters, but the hope is that a new class will take over, and the Silver Bullets will emerge next season.
- I don't want to hear any more SEC speed crap. Reid Fragel, one of our slower players, a TIGHT END, out ran two defenders and then carried 1 more. No more, SEC. No more.
- I predicted the final score to be 31-24. It ended up 31-26. You should start coming here more often. You just might get the magic.
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| No words needed |
