Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: 62-14 win best and worst in the Urban Meyer era

By Charlie Lockhart

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches the action during the second half of the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches the action during the second half of the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State dominated on defense but not on special teams.

In the 62-14 Ohio State win over Maryland the Buckeye special teams play may have been as bad as in any game over the last 5 ½ years. On the other hand, the Silver Bullets may have played their best game during the Urban Meyer era, especially defending the pass.

First, a look at the problems Ohio State had in the kicking game. There were at least a half-dozen gaffes including a blocked field goal, a botched extra point and a 100 yard kickoff return by Maryland. There were also multiple penalties and a shanked punt.

These are the things an opposing coach dreams for, especially when playing on the road. But the blunders by the special teams didn’t affect the outcome of the game. That’s because the Terrapins couldn’t move the ball against the Buckeye defense.

It was impressive that Ohio State limited Maryland to 50 yards rushing on 42 carries, but how the Silver Bullets defended the pass was off the chart. The Buckeyes held the Terrapins to 3 completions in 13 passing attempts for 16 yards, and registered five sacks as well.

To emphasize just how dominant a defensive performance this was, you have to go way back in time to find a better one. Steve Helwagen of 247Sports reported it was the fewest number of yards allowed by an Ohio State defense since the Buckeyes held the Indiana Hoosiers to 60 yards in 1960.

And I have been following the Buckeyes for nearly 50 years so I remember the time when other teams were trying to emulate the Woody Hayes three yards and a cloud of dust offense. Even then I don’t remember an opponent only passing for 16 yards.

Can you only imagine being in cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs’ shoes this week. See, he is also the special teams coordinator.

Coach Coombs will certainly be praised for the way his corners played on Saturday. However, do you think that will make up for what he will hear from Urban Meyer concerning the kicking game? After all, the special team units are Urban’s pride and joy and you know he isn’t happy with them at the moment.

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