OFFENSIVE LINE
Despite missing the elusiveness of suspended quarterback Troy Smith, the Buckeyes were able to find enough seams on the ground to keep Oklahoma State beleagured defense off-balance. There were no sacks of quarterback Justin Zwick, who threw one of the best blocks when he laid out 260-pound defensive end Marque Fountain on a reverse by Ted Ginn Jr. It went largely unnoticed, but the late-season insertion of T.J. Downing at left guard seemed to solidfy the front five. The good news is that only guard Mike Kne will be departing. Downing is only a sophomore and right tackle Kirk Barton is a freshman.
GRADE: B
RUNNING GAME
Lydell Ross, all but left for dead after his strip club escapade, scored a touchdown out of a fullhouse backfield and fell one yard shy of his first 100-yard rushing game since the opener against Cincinnati. Branden Joe picked up where he left off in the Michigan game with some nice power moves (57 yards, 13 carries) and Ted Ginn Jr. showed off more of his fancy footwork, taking six snaps out of shotgun formation to keep the Cowboys defense guessing.
GRADE: B
PASSING GAME
For someone playing for the first time in six games, Justin Zwick played better than expected. Especially when you consider that he played most of the game on a sore hamstring. He was 17 of 27 for 189 yards, with one TD and no picks. Of course, his success might have had something to do with the Cowboys giving up nearly 300 yards a game through the air. Zwick probably didn't do enough to unseat Troy Smith when he returns from his suspension (which may include next year's opener), but it's a nice dilemma to have -- provided Zwick doesn't transfer.
GRADE: B plus
DEFENSIVE LINE
According to the media, end Simon Fraser must have saved his best for last. The senior from Upper Arlington was named the game's defensive MVP. He only had three tackles but provided most of OSU's pass rush with a handful of quarterback pressures. End Mike Kudla had the only sack and tackle Joel Penton had a fumble recovery that led to a field goal.
GRADE: A
LINEBACKERS
Bobby Carpenter's interception on the game's third play from scrimmage gave the Buckeyes the ball at the Cowboys 28 and set the rout in motion. The entire defense was so effective -- tailback Vernan Morency was never a factor with 20 yards on eight carries -- that A.J. Hawk's chances were limited. He finished with five tackles.
GRADE: A
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Sophomore cornerback and transplanted Texan Ashton Youboty had quite a homecoming, breaking up a team-high three passes. Safety Donte Whitner, back from arthroscopic knee surgery, led the Buckeyes with eight tackles as the Cowboys were limited to 137 yards through the air.
GRADE: A
SPECIAL TEAMS
Mike Nugent closed out a spectacular career by breaking Ohio State's all-time scoring record, booming kickoff after kickoff into the end zone and converting all four of his field goal tries. That made the Groza Award winner 24 of 27 on 3-pointers this season and 65 of 74 the last three years. Ted Ginn Jr. failed to score on a punt return, so he falls one short of the NCAA single-season record (five). Hawaii's Chad Owens got the record on Christmas Eve in a Hawaii Bowl victory over Alabama-Birmingham.
GRADE: A
COACHING
Somehow, Jim Tressel always keeps his team focused on football and not the controversy swirling about it. The Buckeyes improved to 3-1 in bowl games under Tressel, matching his record against Michigan. That will keep a lot of heat generated from off-the-field problems off his seat.
GRADE: A
Originally published Thursday, December 30, 2004
