Cleveland, OH

Ohio State football’s defense pulled back in 1 key way and unlocked elite potential

Published

10 months ago

October 5, 2023

Ohio State football’s defense pulled back in 1 key way and unlocked elite potential

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day operates under no illusion that Jim Knowles has abandoned the blitz.

Yes, the Buckeyes’ second-year defensive coordinator has backed off of sending extra pressure. Day, though, knows what lies in both Knowles’ heart and mind.

“I know he’s got a whole bunch of blitzes lined up down the road for when the right time comes,” Day said. “He’s got a great defensive mind, and finding that balance is critical.”

Knowles said recently he is blitzing less than ever before. In the game prior to that statement, he blitzed only six times on Western Kentucky’s 72 plays. Later that week, he sent extra pressure 11 times on Notre Dame’s 64 plays.

Compare that to the standard he set early last season. Tommy Eichenberg came on blitzes 15 times in one game against Arkansas State. The Buckeyes blitzed on over 25% of their plays in last season’s opener against Notre Dame.

Knowles admits it. He coaches with a little devil on his shoulder, egging him on to keep those attacks coming. He could be miserable right now showing this level of self-restraint — except the approach is working so well.

Knowles pulled back on pressure because that risk-reward cost the Buckeyes too much last season. They allowed 14 touchdowns of 20-plus yards in 2022. Several covered 50, 60 even 70 yards. It killed them against Michigan, and it kept a playoff semifinal upset of Georgia — and a possible national championship — out of reach.

Through four games, the four touchdowns OSU has allowed have covered a total of 6 yards. Only two teams — Iowa and UCLA — have allowed fewer than OSU’s nine plays of 20-plus yards. Limiting explosives also keeps opponents out of the red zone. Six possessions allowed inside the 20 are the fewest in the nation.

Maryland comes to Ohio Stadium on Saturday. It built its first 5-0 start in over 20 years in part on big-play touchdowns. The Terrapins will test Day and Knowles’ joint goal to come after opposing quarterbacks without chasing after their receivers when one blitz too many leaves OSU exposed.

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“That mentality is not what we want on defense,” Day said of the ‘bend but don’t break’ philosophy. “We’re going to be aggressive. We’re gonna get in your face. We’re gonna get after you — but also not give up big plays.”

A year ago, OSU allowed, on average, four plays per game of 20-plus yards. So far, it’s allowing about half that.

Blitzing less means fewer one-on-one matchups in the secondary, especially for safeties who might not be as adept in coverage as cornerbacks. The entire secondary, though, has raised its level of play, none more than cornerback Denzel Burke. (Additionally, utilizing Jordan Hancock as a passing-down nickel safety, though, might alleviate that threat and give Knowles some options later this season.)

It also means trusting the four-man rush up front to create enough pressure. Third-year defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer both still seek their first sack. The defensive line has affect the pocket fairly consistently, though. Pro Football Focus gives OSU the nation’s sixth-highest pass rush grade among Power 5 teams.

Knowles has his own, less objective measurements of success. He sees more resiliency, more accountability and more commitment to improvement.

“it’s always, ‘What have you done for me lately,’ so we need to focus on and keep pressing forward,” Knowles said. “But there’s enough good things that we can look at and say, ‘This was good,’ and there are enough things that we can fix to always stay hungry.”

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (24) celebrate — Ohio State football’s defense has not allowed a touchdown longer than 2 yards through four games.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Notre Dame settled for four 20-plus plays. It averaged over seven in its other five games.

Ohio State will need a similar performance against a Maryland offense that ranks 13th nationally in plays of 20-plus yards.

Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa’s quarterback efficiency rating sits at 160.28. If it holds, he’ll be the Big Ten’s first non-Buckeye QB to post a rating that high since 2019. He has run or thrown for seven of Maryland’s eight touchdowns of 20-plus yards. (He also has a 19-yard touchdown run.)

Knowles respects Tagovailoa’s ability to extend plays into explosive opportunities. He kept coming back to the same phrase to describe the necessary approach against the veteran quarterback: “Coordinated rush.” He did not want to divulge specifics of what that will entail, but he did describe what it won’t look like.

“It’s not like a typical quarterback where you say, ‘Hey, let’s present some different pictures, get them to hold the ball and just go after it,’ ” Knowles said. “You can’t do that with him, because if you present different pictures and he holds the ball — now you better be coordinated with your rush.”

So what does this less aggressive approach mean for Eichenberg? His downhill attacks in Knowles’ first year made him a second-team All-American and infused the defense with an aggressive edge. Through four games he has blitzed 13 times on his own and nine other times in tandem with fellow linebacker Steele Chambers or a safety. That frequency easily leads the team, but is well off the pace he set last season.

Ohio State's Tommy Eichenberg (35) looks to the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. — Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg (35) is acting more as a “quarterback on the field” than a weapon in the pass rush.AP

Knowles said he is utilizing a different asset of the senior captain from St. Ignatius.

“We’re using him more to be a quarterback on the field,” Knowles said. “He’s become that guy that can see things that I see, think like me. He can make changes and adjustments on the field.

“So I don’t know — maybe we’re using him more for his mind and less for his aggression. But they’re still both involved.”

The blitz clearly still has its place in the defense. J.T. Tuimoloau has been rightfully credited for making two huge plays on Notre Dame’s penultimate offensive possession. The second, a leaping pass breakup on a screen pass that likely would have gone for a touchdown, made OSU’s game-winning touchdown drive possible.

Making that PBU possible, though, was Lathan Ransom storming into the backfield on safety blitz. Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman hurried his throw. The rest is history.

Aggression still has its place in OSU’s defensive approach. That devil on Knowles’ shoulder will simply need to be patient.

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Cleveland, OH

GCSC Summer Golf Classic | Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

Published

3 hours ago

August 4, 2024

Press Room

GCSC Summer Golf Classic | Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

Get Your Golf On!
Golfers of all abilities are invited to play in GCSC’s Summer Golf Classic presented by First National Bank on Monday, August 5, 2024 at Cleveland Metroparks Sleepy Hollow.
Join us for a day of 18 holes with cart featuring beverages, contests & prizes, lunch and a buffet dinner.
FORMAT:…

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Cleveland, OH

Fatal shooting on east side after reports of large fight: Cleveland Police

Published

10 hours ago

August 4, 2024

Press Room

Fatal shooting on east side after reports of large fight: Cleveland Police

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – One man is dead after a shooting following reports of a large fight on the east side, according to Cleveland Police.

Police got reports of a large fight around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday in the 1000 block of East 71st Street.

While officers were en route, they learned that two people were shot.

Police located a 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old man who were both shot, according to a release.

Both of the men were taken to the hospital by EMS.

The 22-year-old man later died at the hospital.

The condition of the 24-year-old is unknown.

Cleveland Police homicide unit is investigating, according to police.

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Cleveland, OH

WWE SummerSlam 2024 Results: Winners And Grades On August 3, 2024

Published

18 hours ago

August 4, 2024

Press Room

WWE SummerSlam 2024 results

Credit: WWE.com

WWE SummerSlam 2024 from Cleveland, Ohio advertised six championship matches. Among them was Solo Sikoa challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship, LA Knight challenging Logan Paul for the WWE United States Championship, Sami Zayn defending the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Bron Breakker and GUNTHER challenging Damian Priest for the WWE World Championship.

This week’s broadcast of WWE Raw garnered 1.412 million viewers on SyFy after being preempted by the Olympics.

WWE SummerSlam Results | August 3, 2024

Liv Morgan def. Rhea Ripley | WWE Women’s World Championship
Bron Breakker def. Sami Zayn | WWE Intercontinental Championship
LA Knight def. Logan Paul | WWE United States Championship
Nia Jax def. Bayley | WWE Women’s Championship
Drew McIntyre def. CM Punk
GUNTHER def. Damian Priest | WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Cody Rhodes def. Solo Sikoa | WWE Undisputed Championship

WWE SummerSlam 2024 Ticket Sales

WWE SummerSlam 2024 Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland, OH)
WWE SummerSlam 2024 Tickets Distributed: 55,858
WWE SummerSlam 2024 Tickets Available: 807

WWE Money In The Bank 2024 Winners And Grades

Liv Morgan Def. Rhea Ripley

Despite all the talk of The Judgment Day competing by themselves, Dominik Mysterio accompanied Rhea Ripley to the ring.

Michael Cole noted the last time Rhea Ripley lost a singles match was 26 months ago. To Liv Morgan.

This match started as a cat-and-mouse as Liv ran away from Ripley. Fans became frustrated and booed Liv loudly.

Rhea dominated this match until Liv Morgan dodged a charging Ripley and followed up by throwing her, shoulder-first, into the turnbuckle. Ripley could be heard (kayfabe) saying “it’s out, it’s out!”

Fans were split as they made dueling chants of “let’s go Rhea/let’s go Liv!”

Liv Morgan (kayfabe) popped her shoulder back into place by running herself into the announce table and fans went crazy.

Ripley hit the riptide, but did not pin Morgan. Instead, she grabbed a steel chair that Morgan brought into the ring. Mysterio grabbed the chair from her, which was the wise decision because she would have gotten herself disqualified. This led to an Oblivion for a nearfall and “holy s—t” chants.

Dom distracted the ref, leading to an Oblivion on the steel chair for the win. After the match, Dominik Mysterio kissed Liv Morgan and they left together.

Backstage, Damian Priest was furious with Dominik Mysterio for his actions. Finn and the rest of the Judgment Day vowed to go find him. I don’t trust them.

Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan Grade: A-

Bron Breakker Def. Sami Zayn

Bron Breakker hit his always impressive Breakkensteiner early on, then he proceeded to scream “quit!” at Sami Zayn.

Bron Breakker cut Sami Zayn off with a Spear, then he hit ayn with another Spear for the win. This wasn’t necessarily a squash match, but it was definitely a dominant win for Breakker.

Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn Grade: B

LA Knight Def. Logan Paul

Logan Paul wore a Cleveland-inspired American Flag vest and greeted two security guards on his way to the ring. One of hte security guards turned out to be Cleveland’s own MGK.

LA Knight shattered the glass on Logan Paul’s Prime vehicle before making his way to the ring.

Paul cleared the table, but LA Knight got the better of him with a modified TKO, though the table didn’t break.

Paul won these people over with a springboard moonsault on LA Knight. Though they cheered the spot, they eventually came to their senses and chanted “you still suck!”

After jumping up on the top rope, LA Knight hit a scary looking superplex. Fans chanted “this is awesome” after a nearfall.

Logan Paul borrowed brass knuckles from MGK. After a shot to LA Knight, Knight countered with a BFT.

Logan Paul vs. LA Knight Grade: A-

Nia Jax Def. Bayley

Bayley relentlessly knocked Nia Jax off her feet early in the match.

Nia Jax took control of the match, to the point where she hit the Annihilator, but Bayley kicked out.

Jax called herself “reckless” and “clumsy” while trash-talking Bayley on offense.

Bayley hit an awesome power bomb on Nia Jax from the top rope. The fans were fervently into a match that struggled to follow Logan Paul vs. LA Knight.

A Tiffany Stratton cash-in was thwarted by Bayley, but the distraction led to two power bombs and two Annihilators for the win.

Nia Jax vs. Bayley Grade: A-

Drew McIntyre Def. CM Punk

Seth Rollins walked out in a long cloak, and what was under the jacket was certain to be even wilder.

WWE used ref cameras on the referee’s ear, and there were never more ref cam shots than during Seth Rollins’ entrance.

Rollins’ referee outfit were baggy, bedazzled pants and a cutoff shirt similar to Shawn Michaels.

Fans chanted “CM Punk” to start the match as punk donned pink gear in homage to Bret Hart.

Rollins did a great job working the fans into a frenzy before ringing the bell. When the bell rang, Punk and McIntyre brawled like crazy.

Instead of counting to 10 while Punk and McIntyre were outside of the ring, Rollins instead chose to tie his shoes. Rollins also took immense pleasure in seeing Punk and Rollins beat the hell out of one another.

During an Anaconda Vice on McIntyre, Punk secured his friendship bracelet and the entire stadium celebrated.

Punk stopped his GTS on McIntyre dead in its tracks and confronted Rollins about wearing his bracelet, which Rollins picked up off the ground did wear, but out of no malice.

After a ref bump and a nearfall (followed by a second visual pinfall), Punk and Rollins got into a heated argument. Punk hit a Go To Sleep on Rollins and took his bracelet back, but it cost him the match.

Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk Grade: B+

GUNTHER Def. Damian Priest

Finn Balor wished Damian Priest luck before the match. Famous last words.

GUNTHER already had chop marks on his chest before the match even started.

GUNTHER and Priest chopped the hell out of one another to the point where GUNTHER was bleeding from the chest.

Finn Balor hit the ring, presumably to save Priest, but he ended up costing Priest the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by putting GUNTHER’s leg on the bottom rope.

After this match, Jelly Roll, The Miz and R-Truth took out A-Town Down Under.

GUNTHER vs. Damian Priest Grade: B+

Cody Rhodes Def. Solo Sikoa

Cody Rhodes ran into Arn Anderson backstage, and Anderson said he called in a few favors to a few allies of Cody Rhodes. Some of whom he knows, some he doesn’t.

For a full recap of Cody vs. Solo Sikoa in Bloodline Rules, click here.

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