I didn't see much of the game, but...

[hammb]

what I saw was pretty good.

A buddy of mine got married yesterday at 3:30, then the reception was at 6:00. In between we did run to the bar to watch some of the game. I saw most of the 2nd quarter, and our first drive of the 3rd quarter. I must say that I was very enthused with how we played.

The defense was flying around and was actually tackling when they got to the ball carrier. The offense seemed to finally find some rythmn in that 3rd quarter drive, and they proved they could make plays against a very good defense.

Most importantly the team seemed to be intense and they actually looked like they thought they could compete and even win. That's a good thing. That's what we had last week at OU, and what we didn't have in some of the earlier games this year.

I know we got whipped, losing by 4 TDs, but with a team this young there really isn't much shame in that. I'm not a big fan of moral victories, but yesterday was definitely that. Hopefully they don't pat themselves on the back too much and they get out there and get back to work. I want to see this team show that same emotion & detrmination on their home field for a change. I'm tired of going home from the Doyt disappointed & angry. Let's get fired up and ready to go for homecoming!!!

[factman]

I thought the defining moment of the game, or at least the one that showed the difference in the two teams, was later in the game when Macon (fastest guy on our team) broke loose up the middle and had a three or four stride advantage on any defender, and was caught EASILY by not one, but two OSU defenders from behind. Just goes to show the difference in speed, not to mention strength and size between the two teams.

[BGStudent10]

I was very impressed with BG yesterday. The vantage point we had was great. Our O line pretty much handled OSU's D line. Very very few negative plays. Ohio State fans sitting around us said no team has had that much success against the Buckeyes front four all year. Also 2 great plays to finish the game, the fourth and 1 stop on Chris Wells and then Dan Macons burst up the middle. A ton to build on for the rest of the year.

[Warthog]

The defense was flying around and was actually tackling when they got to the ball carrier.

That was one thing I noticed as well. When we had a shot at tackling someone, we were making the tackle. Great to see from a young defense.

Factman, I thought the same thing. Our fastest guy was easily caught by the two CBs. Macon should have cut to one side when they were closing to at least make it a longer run for one of them and make the other change direction causing him to slow down slightly.

Overall, I was happy with how we played. The O moved the ball, and the defense made them earn most of their yards. The first drive was mostly short passes in front of the defense because we didn't want to give up the big play. And the second drive was saved by the fluky 33 yard scramble on third and 26.

On the negative side though, it sure seemed like we dropped a lot of passes. They weren't perfectly thrown balls by any means, but the WR/TE/RB had it hit them in the hands and didn't make the catch. The INT was an example of this. Ball went off Bullock's hand up in the air to the defender. Should have caught the ball, but it ended up an INT.

And we seemed to make some little mistakes that cost us. The play before the INT, it was 3rd and inches, we run the QB dive for he first down, but was called for holding, I believe on Huelsman. With that down and distance, and the play going in the middle, the tackle has no reason to hold in that situation. Penalty moves it back, next play INT. These types of mistakes can't happen if you expect to beat quality opponents.

[BGGrad01]

That was one thing I noticed as well. When we had a shot at tackling someone, we were making the tackle. Great to see from a young defense.

The best example of this point that I can think of was a 3rd and 2 in the third (?) quarter. Pittman took a carry off the left side and Jahmal Brown came up, wrapped him and drove him back 4-5 yards. He got the first down, but it was one of those plays that made you say "wow". And remember that he is just a freshman.

[Falconfreak90]

That was one thing I noticed as well. When we had a shot at tackling someone, we were making the tackle. Great to see from a young defense.

The best example of this point that I can think of was a 3rd and 2 in the third (?) quarter. Pittman took a carry off the left side and Jahmal Brown came up, wrapped him and drove him back 4-5 yards. He got the first down, but it was one of those plays that made you say "wow". And remember that he is just a freshman.

I agree with all points here by everyone. The tackling is really getting solid and kids are flying to the ball. Dozier is a stud and Brown? Sheet. That tackle BGGrad mentioned looked even better on TV. I watched the game on tape late last night and he took on Pittman, WRAPPED HIM UP and drove him 7 yards back and planted his ass. I think Brown is well on his way. This defense played well. As young as we are against an offense that loaded? I was pleased. The intensity was there and even though we were overmatched, the team played hard the whole game. They are getting better each week.

As hammb said, now we need to keep building and come out on our home turf and smack EMU around. Back to the MAC....we still have a very real shot to win the East. Ohio beat WMU and is 2-1 and still has to play Kent. Kent struggled to beat Temple.

Next week, I hate to do it...root for UT to beat Kent. Ugh. But, the only way I root for UT in anything is if it will help BG. UT looks like dog crap right now, though. Either that, or CMU is really that good this season.

GO FALCONS!!! ROCK THE EAGLES!!

[Falconboy]

I thought the defining moment of the game, or at least the one that showed the difference in the two teams, was later in the game when Macon (fastest guy on our team) broke loose up the middle and had a three or four stride advantage on any defender, and was caught EASILY by not one, but two OSU defenders from behind. Just goes to show the difference in speed, not to mention strength and size between the two teams.

Yeah, I saw that I think we may chalk that up to Macon just coming off his ankle problems and probably didn't have is full top line speed he had in spring ball. I think if Dan was fully healthy he had a chance to out run the OSU's D, jsut his bum ankle wouldn't let him.

[Falconfreak90]

I thought the defining moment of the game, or at least the one that showed the difference in the two teams, was later in the game when Macon (fastest guy on our team) broke loose up the middle and had a three or four stride advantage on any defender, and was caught EASILY by not one, but two OSU defenders from behind. Just goes to show the difference in speed, not to mention strength and size between the two teams.

Yeah, I saw that I think we may chalk that up to Macon just coming off his ankle problems and probably didn't have is full top line speed he had in spring ball. I think if Dan was fully healthy he had a chance to out run the OSU's D, jsut his bum ankle wouldn't let him.

Good point, FB. I thought the same when Ginn streaked past A Smith on the bomb. Now, I know Smith isn't as fast as Ginn but he's had a bum ankle for a couple weeks and that was a factor. Is there anyone in America that can keep up with Ginn?

[TG1996]

And we seemed to make some little mistakes that cost us. The play before the INT, it was 3rd and inches, we run the QB dive for he first down, but was called for holding, I believe on Huelsman. With that down and distance, and the play going in the middle, the tackle has no reason to hold in that situation. Penalty moves it back, next play INT. These types of mistakes can't happen if you expect to beat quality opponents.

And why we line up in the shotgun on 3rd and inches, I don't know. And we did it twice.

[Strouse]

As far as the loss is concerned, it's not a big deal because it wasn't against a MAC team. We did beat the spread of 35 against the #1 team in the nation. As far as everyone else is concerned, I'll just have to take your word on it because I was in the North end zone with the FMB and had several other band members keeping me from watching the game. From what I've seen and from what I've read on here, this by far was the best game we've had this year, loss or not. I'm hoping that the momentum we got from the OSU game will transfer into the EMU game this next week.
Go Falcons!!
Beat the Eagles!!

[Bleeding Orange]

I thought the defining moment of the game, or at least the one that showed the difference in the two teams, was later in the game when Macon (fastest guy on our team) broke loose up the middle and had a three or four stride advantage on any defender, and was caught EASILY by not one, but two OSU defenders from behind. Just goes to show the difference in speed, not to mention strength and size between the two teams.

Yeah, I saw that I think we may chalk that up to Macon just coming off his ankle problems and probably didn't have is full top line speed he had in spring ball. I think if Dan was fully healthy he had a chance to out run the OSU's D, jsut his bum ankle wouldn't let him.

Good point, FB. I thought the same when Ginn streaked past A Smith on the bomb. Now, I know Smith isn't as fast as Ginn but he's had a bum ankle for a couple weeks and that was a factor. Is there anyone in America that can keep up with Ginn?

Oh, so Dan was in fact hurt? I don't think I have read any confirmation of that on here, and I remember that we were all wondering where he was at the OU game last weekend. I am really glad to hear that his absence wasn't due to anything more...insidious.

[orangeandbrown]

He is in the process of losing playing time to Bullock. He has been as productive as we hoped. Perhaps now that he is healthy....

[mmisbg]

I was at a wedding, and I've only been able to review the stats and read what has been said about the game. However, I have a few thoughts.

While we didn't pass the ball for big yardage like we are used to, the wealth was spread around. The recieving corps is looking rather balanced from a numbers perspective.

Our rushing stats looked balanced as well. Nobody broke 100 yards, but we had several players picking up decent yardage on the ground...especially against OSU's defense.

I think we are starting to see our offense take shape. Freddie Barnes is starting to assume the role that we all seem to agree he should. Bollock is emerging as a tough runner. I think we will be ready to resume MAC play next week.

Our defense contained OSU's ground game a lot more than I had expected. Keep in mind that last week OSU played Iowa. Iowa was the #13 team at the time, and had home field advantage. Iowa did not contain OSU's running game anywhere near as well as we did.

Also, Iowa allowed OSU to spread the ball around more in their passing game than we did. From a numbers perspective, yesterday was "The Ted Ginn Show".

I guess I reference Iowa because if they have had a shot at winning the Big10 at any time in the past 5 years, I think it was this year. They were #13, they weren't in the middle of a massive rebuilding year, they had home field advantage......and through all that, they really didn't do much better than we did against OSU. That has to speak for something.

Okay, we got pounded. We expected that. But, I think there is hope that we will do well the rest of the season. I don't think you could argue that any of the games we play the rest of the season are clear-cut losses for us. Some of them are not clear cut wins, but...

Next week, we are all big Toledo fans. Basically, we need Kent to lose to Toledo and OU, and for us to win out in order for us to get to the MAC championship game. But, even if Kent doesn't drop two, we could find ourselves in the independence bowl if we win the rest of our games. Actually, if we win out but don't get that bowl, I still think we would have made a convincing case for a bowl appearance somewhere.

Go Falcons!

[Bleeding Orange]

Bollock is emerging as a tough runner.

Nevermind the Bollocks, his name is Bullock.

[Dayons_Den]

I guess I reference Iowa because if they have had a shot at winning the Big10 at any time in the past 5 years, I think it was this year. They were #13, they weren't in the middle of a massive rebuilding year, they had home field advantage......and through all that, they really didn't do much better than we did against OSU. That has to speak for something.

Point of reference from the local Iowa fan- Iowa has in fact won the Big 10 twice in the last 5 years- 2002 and 2004. They lost key receivers last year and key defensive players over the past couple years so I would in fact say they are rebuilding seeing as how they finished #8 in the final polls three years in a row (2002, 2003, and 2004).