It fired its head coach Tim Beckman right before the season amid allegations of mistreatment of players. This has got to make Zeke Elliot smile, as his streak of 14 games in a row with at least 100 yards rushing, keeps marching on.
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“I can not, in three years here, say that I’ve had one bad experience with anybody here and of course Mike was a part of that”, Cubit said. “We know it’s going to be a little bit different of an atmosphere, so we’re preparing for that now”. “It’s not like, ‘Boy, he’s working much harder this week.’ He’s a professional who’s going to work to play quarterback for Ohio State”.
Finding a way to do those things and pulling off a win that would send shockwaves through college football could also earn Cubit the full-time gig.
J.T. Barrett is back at quarterback for top-ranked Ohio State after a one-game suspension.
The Buckeyes offense underwhelmed at times against the Golden Gophers with Cardale Jones at the helm, amassing 376 yards of offense – its fewest in Big Ten play. Vaughn’s day was highlighted by a 78-yard TD run in the third quarter, the longest for an Illini player in six years.
This season he’s helped the Buckeyes rank fifth in passing yards allowed (163.9 per game) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (101.1 rating). “I’m not going to cry or tear up or anything”.
Interim chancellor Barbara Wilson said no decision would be made on a permanent football coach until after the season, though interim coach Bill Cubit says he wants the job.
Sometimes his excitement spills over enough that Bell puts in a request for work on the offensive side of the ball, which would give him a couple extra chances to potentially score and probably an easier path than from his full-time spot in the secondary. The running game took a lot of pressure off him.
After OSU lost a starter on the defense to the injury for the first time this season in the last two games, it appears the top 11 will be getting back to full strength on Saturday. He ran for 114 yards and his 14th TD of the season against the Gophers and has run for 100-plus in 14 straight contests.
Scouting the special teams: The Illini must be on guard as Urban Meyer teams are known for timely blocked kicks and big returns that change momentum. They haven’t faced any defensive lines like the Buckeyes have.
My one big concern about this game was the fact it was being playing in Champaign in November. Josh Ferguson will likely contribute heavily as well. We think that their best games are in front of them. He could give his pro stock a boost this week with a good game against an opponent that features a roster stocked with future pros.
Not that Ohio State’s kickers need more of a challenge. Against Purdue the senior carried 12 times for 133 yards and IL rushed for 382 yards. Ferguson should be the focal point of the offense this week. Geronimo Allison has added 56 receptions for 756 yards and three touchdowns. It’s not known if Clements will be able to return from his injury this week.?
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-DE Carroll Phillips picked up his first start at Purdue as Chunky Clements missed the game.
