Ohio State Football: Why Pete Werner could be key to OSU victory
The Ohio State football team has a chance at revenge versus the Clemson Tigers on New Years Day. Here is why Pete Werner could be the key to victory.
The Ohio State football team and head coach Ryan Day have had one thing on their minds throughout this crazy year: getting back to this spot and having a chance at revenge against Clemson.
Dabo Sweeny has certainly added fuel to the fire for Ohio State with his recent comments and in ranking them No. 11 in his coaches poll. But even without that, this Ohio State squad has wanted the Clemson rematch.
Other than quarterback Justin Fields, linebacker Pete Werner could have the biggest impact for Ohio State come Friday night. Werner was flipped from strong-side linebacker to weak-side linebacker in the offseason. That move was made for one reason: Clemson running back Travis Etienne.
Etienne crushed Ohio State late in last year’s semi-final with 3 catches for 98 yards including a back-breaking 53-yard touchdown reception. He scored a total of three touchdowns in the game, even though the Buckeyes bottled him up in the rushing game only giving up 36 yards on the ground to him.
Werner is well known for his excellent pass coverage skills against tight ends. That’s why his move to weak-side linebacker was so surprising. But it’s the strong-side linebacker’s responsibility to cover the running back. Hence Werner’s position switch.
He is going to be tasked with covering and staying with Etienne in this game, not easy to do. But if anyone on Ohio State’s roster is equipped to do that it’s Werner.
If Ohio State can stop the run as they did in last year’s game and if Werner can stay with Etienne and negate the pass game and screen game out of the backfield, then the Scarlet and Gray may have an excellent shot at winning this game.
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The Buckeye defense will of course have other things to figure such as who covers slot receiver Amari Rodgers and how do they stop Trevor Lawrence when he decides to run. But I believe the key to this victory may just be Pete Werner’s ability to negate Travis Etienne.