Buckeye defense motivated to limit big plays against Georgia

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — J.T. Tuimoloau stood in entrance of the Buckeyes earlier than observe the week after Ohio State’s second straight loss to Michigan.

Because the sting of defeat started to set in and the prospect of lacking the playoff remained a risk, the second-year defensive finish provided a reminder to his teammates.

Ohio State nonetheless has an opportunity.

“I felt like we simply wanted to get again on observe, and these boys push me to go my hardest and produce out the very best in me each day,” Tuimoloau recalled. “I do know what we will convey so I simply needed to come back and simply reiterate that. The job’s not completed.”

That’s the main focus for Ohio State’s protection forward of the School Soccer Playoff semifinal matchup towards No. 1 Georgia (13-0) within the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31: Appropriate errors and restrict massive performs.

Ohio State (11-1) allowed 530 yards of offense throughout its loss to the Wolverines on Nov. 26, together with 5 performs of 45 yards or extra that went for touchdowns. These explosive performs have been on the thoughts of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Knowles mentioned he takes final accountability for Ohio State’s miscues in its solely lack of the season.

“Any name that goes for an explosive, it’s important to take a look at, take accountability for,” Knowles mentioned. “You bought to judge the decision from high to backside and the sport plan.”

Coach Ryan Day mentioned Michigan’s 85- and 75-yard landing runs have been sufficient to “wreck the entire day,” however he’s taking the nice with the dangerous when evaluating his protection.

“There was nonetheless numerous good issues that occurred,” Day mentioned. “It wasn’t such as you watch the movie and also you’re like, ‘Jeez, we simply obtained utterly outmatched.’ It was only a lack of execution and too many massive performs.”

Occasional questions on protection have lingered for a lot of Day’s tenure.

In 2019, Day and the Buckeyes received the Large Ten and superior to the CFP behind a stout protection that held groups underneath 260 yards and 14 factors per sport.

However in 2020 and 2021, these numbers ballooned. Ohio State gave up 401.6 yards and 25.8 factors per sport in his second season and have been 372.9 yards and 22.8 factors on common throughout his third, which prompted him to hunt out Knowles and make adjustments on the defensive teaching workers.

Knowles’ protection allowed slightly below 304 yards per sport and ranked No. 12 in whole protection this season, and he’s been doing his half to rapidly flip the main focus towards the CFP.

“We’ve been having a number of the greatest practices we’ve had all season,” security Ronnie Hickman mentioned. “Having the ability to have this second probability is big, so we’re simply doing every little thing we will to not let it slip by means of our fingers.”

The defending nationwide champion Bulldogs boast the No. 7 total offense and topped 500 yards in seven video games this season.

Georgia’s passing and dashing offense each rank among the many high 20 in faculty soccer, and its duo of working backs between Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh topped over 681 dashing yards apiece.

Ohio State’s line of defense consisting of Tuimoloau and Zach Harrison will even be challenged by Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, a Heisman Trophy finalist. Harrison thinks it’s been a supply of motivation to set the tone up entrance.

“The whole lot underneath the solar, we’ve heard it,” Harrison mentioned. “This workforce’s obtained numerous struggle and this workforce’s obtained numerous coronary heart. We’re simply not going to surrender on this workforce and never going to surrender on this yr and simply attempt to win all of it.”

Explosive performs saved the Buckeyes from the convention championship sport for a second yr, and Ohio State will want its protection to bounce again if it hopes to make the title sport Jan. 9 towards both TCU or the rival Wolverines.

“It was an enormous loss, however after going by means of every little thing and seeing our final result play out, for me and my household and my household right here, it’s been like, ‘Hey, we obtained a shot,’” Tuimoloau mentioned. “We obtained a chance. Let’s go do that factor.”

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