Here are 5 things we learned from the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 42-41 loss to Georgia
CJ Stroud was almost heroic, carrying an offense on his back and playing the game of his life in a playoff classic.
But Ohio State’s defense caved in again, and a 14-point fourth-quarter lead was lost in a 42-41 college football playoff loss to Georgia.
The usually dependable Noah Ruggles badly missed a 50-yard field goal attempt that would have sent the Buckeyes to the championship game, and now Ohio State is entering a heartbreaking offseason.
Here are five things we learned from Saturday’s game:
CJ Stroud was amazing, and his stock project just skyrocketed
Stroud was sensational while surrounded by backups. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns. But the “quarterback who won’t run” ran 34 yards and jumped into the pocket with great composure. His runs were in traffic and with a purpose. His throws were precise.
And he did all of that with no running play, no tight end Cade Stover for most of the game and no star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for the fourth quarter.
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There were mistaken doubts about Stroud’s toughness, probably because he’s so calm and steady. There were more grounded doubts about his willingness to run, but he threw them away on Saturday — although he may want to learn how to slide before dressing in an NFL game.
Sure, NFL scouts must have liked what they saw in a complete quarterback who nearly won a big one on his own.
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“What this guy did and the way he competed in the second half, all these things that happen to him, I can’t say enough,” coach Ryan Day said. “I’m so proud of the way he played. He’s not the only one, but he’s sitting here, and he’s the quarterback for this team. The way he attacked this game, I couldn’t not be prouder of the way he did this.”
2 million dollars later, the defense is not close to being fixed
The Ohio State offense likely gave the defense some dirty looks on the flyback. Ohio State scored 41 points over the supposedly unbeatable defending champions and held a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter when it all fell apart.
The Buckeyes gave up a zone defense that was solid in the third quarter and were reduced in coverage. Big plays were the backbreaker again, as Georgia’s goal-scoring efforts often went unresisted.
First-year coordinator Jim Knowles, hired at a cost of $2 million a year, can’t claim the reason is talent, as there are four- and five-star players all over the field. The Buckeyes adjusted well after a terrible first half, then fell back in the fourth quarter. Schema and consistency are lacking.
Stroud’s years of top flight have been wasted and the defense is to blame.
Xavier Johnson should return
Versatile player Xavier Johnson was a factor again, playing running back, receiver and kick returner. He’s versatile and smart… but he’s also been through the team’s senior day ceremony.
While Johnson hasn’t said for sure whether he’s leaving or returning for a sixth season, he’s not NFL material or good enough to start at Ohio State.
But he could continue to add wrinkles to the Buckeyes’ creative offense. On Saturday, he had six carries for 28 yards and three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. He was the fifth-string running back (and lower had Evan Pryor not missed the season), but he was on the field late in the biggest game of the year and threw a key protective block against assists on one of Stroud’s key runs.
No one knows what a legal hit is anymore
Harrison left the game late in the third quarter after a vicious hit in the end zone. On the field, officials penalized Georgian Javon Bullard for targeting and gave the Buckeyes, who led 35-24, a first down at 3.
But as the second-best player of the game (behind Stroud) was dazed, assessed for concussion-like symptoms and had his helmet removed, replay officials dismissed the call and ruled there was no fault. So instead of another touchdown, the Buckeyes threw a field goal to make it 38-24 with 31 seconds left in the quarter.
Day argued with officials and “was told he wasn’t aiming because he hadn’t been shot in the head.” Whether he got hit with Bullard’s helmet or shoulder, he was a helpless receiver waiting for a floating pass when his head was clearly the target of a flying Bulldog. It’s a penalty. If not, no parent should let their children play football.
It was a game-changing knockdown, and on the heels of another confusing untargeted call in Michigan’s game earlier in the day, it left plenty of confusion.
Needed in 2023: a racing game
A champion team with a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter doesn’t feel like they have to keep sending the ball all over the court to win. But Ohio State has little confidence in its ability to race, so that’s what happened. Ultimately, this meant that no clocks were consumed in the traditional way.
The Buckeyes, once Stroud’s shoving was removed, finished with 85 yards on 20 carries.
Yes, the absences of TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams (just three runs on Saturday) have hurt, but the other backs have also been heavily recruited, and the Buckeyes’ inability to build a fast and stable attack this season has put too much pressure on them. on Stroud to perform. . Ohio State went from pass-first to pass-only as the season progressed.
The personnel strategy was also disconcerting. Against Maryland, Dallan Hayden was the star. Then he barely played against Michigan while linebacker Chip Trayanum got the runs. On Saturday, Hayden had nine litters and Trayanum had none. And Johnson, who is primarily a receiver, carried six times.
Next year, with Kyle McCord or Devin Brown likely not at Stroud’s level, a more balanced offense could be crucial. Air McCord doesn’t feel like the answer.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Football Loses to Georgia: 5 Things We Learned About OSU
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