“I think it’s a little bit of both,” Simon said Friday. “I mean, we definitely did not play to our standard no matter what. I mean, that’s No. 1, but they also played a good game. And we’re both good teams — that’s why we’re in the Rose Bowl next playing against each other.”
The box score from the Ducks’ 32-31 win Oct. 12 certainly stands out from the rest on the Ohio State schedule.
Oregon ran for a respectable 155 yards but threw for 341, by far the most for an Ohio State opponent this season.
Not only were the Ducks the only team to surpass 400 total yards against the Buckeyes, no one else has reached even 300.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 23 of 34 passes and ran for 32 yards, including a key 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter as the teams traded the lead three times, and he was able to hit a handful of big pass plays that put the Buckeyes on their heels and kept them off balance most of the night.
That sent Ohio State into its second open weekend of the season wondering if all the progress that appeared to be made in the first two-plus seasons under coordinator Jim Knowles had been a mirage.
Another small performance in a big game sent fans into a tizzy, too, but Knowles just went back to the drawing board.
While he has consistently resisted getting into specifics when asked about what changes he made, the Buckeyes have clearly been more active up front and changed coverages more in the secondary since getting lit up by the Ducks.
Simon has been more active at linebacker while senior ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau have appeared more disruptive up front against both the run and as pass rushers.
Knowles has also utilized more three-safety looks with Jordan Hancock shifting to the backline more often to free up Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs to attack the line of scrimmage from different angles.
“I can’t give away all of that, but you’re right. We’ve grown Jordan a little bit, right?” Knowles said. “So I think you’re right: we’re able to do more things.”
Much has changed since Wittenberg swept Ohio State in 1894. TDs were worth 4 points, field goals 5 and PATs 2 as the Tigers took the 1st matchup 6-0 at the state fairground in September then beat the Buckeyes 18-6 in Springfield in October https://t.co/VJ6RSJZUXN
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) December 27, 2024
Although the Ohio State schedule has not been populated with many pass-happy teams, Northwestern is the only team aside from Oregon to throw for even 200 yards against the Buckeyes.
The Wildcats tallied 201 in a 38-15 loss to the Buckeyes on Nov. 16, and Ohio State has allowed a total of 234 yards through the air to Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee in the games since.
Does that mean all concerns are alleviated prior to the rematch with the Ducks, who average 278 yards through the air?
Well, not exactly.
“I’m always confident that it’s fixed, you know? And then, of course you always stay up at night concerned about other things,” Knowles said. “So it’s a process. Obviously, we have to go out there and do it.
“Every game day is a test, so no matter what is done previously, you don’t get any credit for that. You’ve got to go out there and prove yourself.”
Never one for big talk, Tuimoloau did confirm the Buckeyes are looking forward to a chance for redemption against Oregon in Pasadena, but that is not all.
“Hungry and thankful,” the senior said of the team’s mindset. “We know how the last time went. We had a chip on our shoulder. We were riding high before that game, and we took that loss, and we came back, had to make a couple changes, but I think we understand everything’s at stake right now.
“We’re just fighting to wear that Ohio State jersey for another game. That’s what’s at stake, just to be able to represent this state and this team.
“We understand what’s on the line, and we’re just hungry and blessed that we get this opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl.”
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Ohio State vs. Oregon, 5 p.m., ESPN, 1410
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