North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Ohio State
9/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2003
No. 24/22 NC STATE (1-1) at No. 3/3 OHIO STATE (2-0)
DATE: Saturday, September 13, 2003
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EDT) Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio (101,568)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network. AIRTIME: 11:00 a.m. (EDT)
TELEVISION: ABC (Regional)
OPPONENT----Defending national champion Ohio State played ugly but kept its record pretty. The Buckeyes barely survived in squeaking past 32-point underdog San Diego State 16-13 at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. The only major OSU highlight was safety Will Allen's 100-yard interception return for a first-half touchdown.
Quarterback, Craig Krenzel, had the worst day of his Ohio State career completing only 5 of 20 passes for 76 yards with one interception. Krenzel was sacked three times and the Buckeyes huge offensive line was neutralized up front. As a result, San Diego State recorded twice as many first downs (20-10) and outgained the Buckeyes 216-196. Ohio State converted just 1-of-14 third-down opportunities and turned the ball over twice.
The Aztecs had OSU on its heels even though they were without their starting quarterback. Adam Hall sprained his ankle in last week's opener, but his replacement, Matt Dlugolecki, was more than adequate. On the other hand, his counterpart struggled from the get-go.
Krenzel was intercepted on Ohio State's first play of the game at the Buckeyes 37, with Jacob Elimimian returning it 14 yards. Four plays later, Dlugolecki --playing in only his second college game-- tossed an 11-yard scoring pass to Wes Williams.
After OSU's Mike Nugent kicked a 38-yard field goal on the ensuing possession, the Aztecs (1-1) drove 76 yards to the Ohio State 4-yard line. On the next play, Dlugolecki tossed a pass in the flat for Jeff Webb that cornerback Chris Gamble tipped. The ball deflected to Allen, who followed blockers to go the 100 yards untouched.
On the next series, Dlugolecki was picked off for the second time with linebacker Robert Reynolds returning the ball to the San Diego State 23. The Buckeyes gained only 8 yards before settling for Nugent's 32-yard field goal.
The Aztecs had an outstanding scoring opportunity early in the third quarter when Krenzel fumbled as he was sacked. San Diego State's Brandon Rager returned the loose ball to the Ohio State 26. The defense stiffened, however, and J.C. Mejia's 47-yard field goal cut the lead to 13-10.
Over the remaining 24 minutes, the Aztecs drove into Ohio State territory three times. Mejia added a 46-yard field goal with 10:13 remaining in the final quarter. That kick matched Nugent's 35-yarder on the previous series.
San Diego State's last shot at victory came with 4:13 left. Dlugolecki completed a 23-yard, third-down pass to Devin Pitts at the Ohio Sate 46. But the drive ended when four consecutive throws went incomplete. Dlugolecki completed 23 of 39 passes for 189 yards with two interceptions.
Ohio State's running game, obviously hurt by the absence of suspended tailback Maurice Clarett, was held to 120 yards on 37 carries. That was more than offset by the Buckeyes' 124 yards in penalties. Ohio State won without scoring an offensive touchdown for the first time since last Oct. 26 against Penn State. Dating back to its win at Purdue last year, the Bucks have scored more than 17 points just once in regulation -- the 28-point victory over Washington in its 2003 season opener.
The Buckeyes, however, find a way to win. They have won 16 straight games. That represents the longest active winning streak in college football.
OSU returns 18 starters from last year's national championship squad. All eleven starters are back on offense with six returnees on defense. Offensively, Krenzel is 17-1 as a starting quarterback. He can run when needed and is an adequate passer. However, this season he's completed only 43 percent of his passes (20-47) for 279 yards, one interception and no touchdowns.
Krenzel's main targets are Michael Jenkins (6-5, 215 Sr.) who has caught 8 passes for 104 yards and Drew Carter (6-4, 200, Sr.) with 2 catches for 58 yards. Also in the mix is Chris Gamble. The Buckeyes starting cornerback also sees occasional action at wide receiver and is a dangerous kick and punt returner. Last season, Gamble had 31 catches for 499 yards.
With Clarett out of the picture, the Buckeyes rely on two tailbacks to carry the ball. Junior, Maurice Hall (5-10, 200) is more of a scatback and is the team's leading rusher with 149 yards and 34 carries. Lydell Ross (6-1, 210, Jr.), who runs with more power, has carried 19 times for 59 yards. Each has scored a touchdown.
The secret to OSU's offense is its huge and talented line. The regular starters average 6-4, 313 pounds and are very experienced. Right tackle, Shane Olivea, an Outland Trophy candidate, (6-5, 320, Sr.) is a leader along with center, Alex Stepanovich (6-4,300, Sr.). However, Stepanovich, is not on the depth chart for this week after suffering an ankle sprain vs. San Diego State. Sophomore, Nick Mangold (6-4, 280) has been listed as the starter. In its College Football Yearbook, The Sporting News ranked OSU's offensive line as the nation's best.
Any conversation of the Ohio State defense has to begin with the front four. Tackles, Darrion Scott (6-3, 280, Sr.) and Tim Anderson (6-4, 289, Sr.) and ends Will Smith (6-4, 285, Sr.) and Simon Fraser (6-6, 265, Jr.) are an all-star group that can put heat on opposing quarterbacks without the help of extra pass rushers. Last season they combined for nearly 50 TFLs and 25 sacks. However, Fraser is apparently nursing an injury.
Outside linebacker, A.J. Hawk (6-2, 230, So.), a first-year starter, is the Buckeyes leading tackler (14 stops) and leads the team with 2 sacks and 3 TFLs. In the secondary, Gamble and Dustin Fox, both juniors, are excellent corners. The safeties, Allen and Brandon Mitchell, a redshirt freshman (6-3, 190), are both first-year starters.
The Buckeyes kicking game looks very solid. Kicker, Mike Nugent (5-10, 190, Jr.), set nine OSU records last season on his way to All-America recognition. Nugent made 15 straight field goals last season and is 3-4 this year. The punter is first-year starter, B. J Sander (6-3, 212, Sr.) who has a 40.6 yard average on 14 attempts through the first two games. Gamble is one of the nation's top return men.
INJURIES--NC State: WR Andy Bertrand-Probable, groin; OT Chris Colmer-Doubtful, brachial plexus; WR Sterling Hicks-Probable, broken hand; TB T.A. McLendon-Doubtful; patella tendon strain. Ohio State:RB Lydell Ross-No report, foot; C Alex Stepanovich-No report, ankle; DE Simon Fraser-No Report, unknown. OSU does not release injury details, citing federal privacy regulations. Ohio newspaper reports say that Stepanovich and Fraser are not likely to return until September 20th.
