There are better things to be than an Ohio State offensive lineman this week. That’s because Buckeyes coach John Cooper has targeted the unit for all sorts of remedial blocking work.
Despite a 24-10 win against Wyoming, 290 net rushing yards and 500 total yards, Cooper develops a nervous twitch whenever he thinks about the post-Orlando Pace era. With an off week before the Sept. 13 home game against Bowling Green, Cooper is promising improvement from the line–or else.
“Everybody saw the offensive line,” he said. “We’re not very happy with the way we played offensively.”
Ohio State gave up five sacks against Wyoming. That’s already more than one-fifth of last season’s total of 23. There were also two holding penalties and four illegal procedures.
The Buckeyes return two starters, but only left guard Rob Murphy is playing the same position as last year. The other starter, Eric Gohlstin, moved from right tackle to center.
The rest of the starters are sophomore Ben Gilbert at right guard, junior Brooks Burris at right tackle and redshirt freshman Tyson Walter at left tackle, the position Pace made famous.
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According to Ohio State and Wyoming coaches, Walter did OK in his debut. He became tired in the second half and was substituted at times. He also gave up one sack, which is one more than Pace gave up in his last two seasons.
“We feel Tyson Walter has a good future,” said Ohio State offensive coordinator Mike Jacobs. “We have confidence in him.”
Jacobs wouldn’t say how Walter, or any of the offensive linemen, graded out. The Buckeyes still keep pancake block totals and Walter “wasn’t particularly high on that,” Jacobs said.
Walter wasn’t alone. A Wyoming coach, speaking on background, said the Cowboys thought they could have success against any of the Ohio State linemen except Gohlstin.
Dayne hurting: Sophomore tailback Ron Dayne is nursing a pinched nerve in his right shoulder and neck, which explains why Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez is dropping hints about his Heisman hopeful not playing Saturday against Boise State.
“If Ron’s not ready to play, then he’s not going to play,” Alvarez said.
Dayne, who already is outfitted with additional padding in the injury area, said he’s ready.
The Badgers probably can win without Dayne, but Dayne can’t win a Heisman Trophy without playing. His 13-carry, career-low 46-yard performance against Syracuse, combined with a possible no-show against Boise State, would put a serious dent in his Heisman chances.
“I’m sure it (the injury) affected it some,” Alvarez said of Dayne’s shaky start, “but I don’t know if it totally affected it.”
Already this week, Alvarez has moved Donny Eicher from inside to outside linebacker (replacing Bob Adamov) and bumped Donnel Thompson to Eicher’s old spot. As many as four other personnel and position changes will be announced by kickoff, Alvarez said.
Poor Hoosiers: Not only hasn’t new Indiana coach Cam Cameron decided on a place kicker yet for Saturday’s game at No. 7 North Carolina, but he’ll also be making the trip with four freshman wide receivers who never played the position in high school. And in something of a desperation move, senior cornerback Joey Eloms is expected to start at wide receiver.