Huge Crowd Sees Gray Win Spring Game
April 21 2007 03:39 PM -- Filed in: Football
Every year, Coach Tressel has something unique to add to this scrimmage. Today the Buckeyes used the full Virginia Tech logo on the Ohio State helmet (see my photo from television). The full size logo was worn in honor of the Virginia Tech family based on the tragic events of this past week. The gesture, approved by Coach Beamer, provided a mirocosm that college athletic programs are just one, large fraternity family. This often gets dilluted in the wins and losses. Virginia Tech cancelled spring football for this year but may you know they are always connected to the Buckeyes and the hundreds of other college programs across the nation.
As far as the game itself, the defensive affair was moderately entertaining to watch as new names showcased their wares. There were no less than 10 players held out because of injury or precautionary reasons. This action highlighted our glaring depth issue at running back as Maurice Wells was the only back who most would recognize. Boom Herron and Brandon Saine have yet to enroll. Let's just say that keeping Chris Wells healthy and keeping Maurice Wells altogether (he's still contemplating transferring) is paramount.
Other thoughts in random order...all with the customary "it's-just-the-spring-game!" caveat:
- The nice weather brought out the folks in droves. Even with a $5 admission fee (many spring games are free), the official attendance was announced at 75,301. This figure is some 12,000 more than last year when the Buckeyes were ranked preseason number 1 and coming off a Notre Dame victory.
- Three QBs rotated all day and Todd Boeckman is clearly the frontrunner. Boeckman's numbers would have been even better if not for a few drops, most notably a deep ball on the first offensive play to Brian Hartline. Robbie Schoenhoft showed signs of solid play and a rifle arm whereas Antonio Henton would rather just forget the day. Two of his three interceptions could be classified as OMG-that-was-terrible.
- The offensive line play was porous. Much of this can be reasoned with a number of players sitting out. However, some of it is due to lack of inexperience and numbers.
- Larry Grant is your player of the game. He appears to be a little slimmer, thus quicker. His forced fumble and scoop led to the game clinching touchdown.
- Speaking of looking trim, hats off to Devon Lyons who has totally transformed his body in the last 4 months. This used to be a guy who was wide-hipped and lacked explosion. Hard work has helped him drop weight and regain his speed that made him such a blue chipper out of high school. Marcus Freeman looks to have dropped weight as well.
- Young pups Thaddeus Gibson, Grant Schwartz and Mark Johnson made some noteworthy plays - Gibson with a sack (erroneously credited by the TV crew to Juan Garnier), Schwartz with an INT and Johnson with a TFL and personal foul. As you can see, "noteworthy" is not necessarily all good.
- Ray Small looks to be our next superstar at WR and kick return. He did, however, leave the game with injury as reported by several sites including 1460TheFan. The injury is not believed to be serious.
- Defensive line play was exceptional. This is most likely a combination of beastly stud defensive ends (ie: Gholston, Wilson, Rose) and the fact that the aforementioned offensive line was banged up. Still, if one needs to point to the identity of this teams it's going to be a return of the Silver Bullets. The defensive line is backed by a loaded linebacking corp and a talented backfield.
