Buckeyes – Illini Set for Big Ten Showdown in the ‘Shoe Today – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
AP (Sept. 26) – A blowout victory over an in-state opponent has Ohio State feeling confident for the time being. Illinois might be feeling the same way.
The 13th-ranked Buckeyes hope to build off their latest victory while trying to prevent the Illini from pulling off another upset in Columbus during Saturday’s Big Ten opener for both schools.
Ohio State (2-1) bounced back from a disappointing 18-15 home loss to then-No. 3 Southern California on Sept. 12, by routing Toledo 38-0 at Cleveland Browns Stadium last Saturday.
After totaling 265 yards against the Trojans, the Buckeyes rolled up 522 – including 247 on the ground – against the Rockets.
“The disappointment was two weeks away,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “But the task at hand is Illinois and the task at hand is the Big Ten. I’d like to think we’re aware enough to know that we’ve got to get much better.”
Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor rushed for 110 yards with a touchdown, and threw for a career-high 262 yards and three TDs – two to Dane Sanzenbacher – Saturday.
“(Last week’s game) really gave me more confidence than I had,” Pryor said. “Whether it’s 100 yards passing or 100 yards rushing … it’s not always realistic. I’ll still do whatever I can to get a win.”
Pryor rushed for 110 yards and threw a touchdown in Ohio State’s 30-20 win at Illinois last season.
The Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 151-40 in winning four straight conference openers, and won four of five overall against Illinois. The Illini (1-1), meanwhile, have won three of their last four and seven of 10 at Ohio Stadium dating to 1988.
Illinois shocked then-No. 1 and previously undefeated Ohio State 28-21 in its last visit Nov. 10, 2007. With that in mind, the Illini should feel confident returning to the Horseshoe coming off a bye week.
“For the people that were a part of it, it’s relevant,” Tressel said of the Illini’s last visit. “I’m sure some of the guys that were a part of that game, like the coaches that were here, (this week) will be a reminder.”
The Illini rolled to a 45-17 win over Illinois State – of the Football Championship Subdivision – on Sept. 12, one week after a disappointing 37-9 season-opening loss to Missouri in St. Louis.
“We all know the next game is going to be a great challenge,” Illinois coach Ron Zook said. “But once again, I haven’t changed my thinking that this football team can be a great team.”
Senior quarterback Juice Williams has thrown six touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 118 yards on 25 carries in his last two games against Ohio State. The Illini are expected to have him back after he strained his quadriceps early against Illinois State.
Williams also needs 171 yards to become the Illini’s career leader in total offense.
After rushing for 384 yards against Illinois State, Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing average (247.0 yards per game) and third in total offense (436.5 yards).
Illinois likely won’t have nearly as easy a time against the Buckeyes, who are second in the league allowing 288.3 yards and third by giving up 15.0 points per game.
The Illini will try to stop Pryor and the Buckeyes without starting linebacker Montez Wilson, who was lost for the season with a herniated disc in his neck.
“We talk about adversity and our team knows others will have to step up and fill his shoes,” Zook said. “I think they are ready to do that.”
Illinois, which has lost 14 of its last 15 Big Ten openers, has dropped four in a row against ranked opponents since beating Ohio State in 2007.
Sept. 25
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – There’s no need for Ohio State’s veterans to watch video of Illinois quarterback Juice Williams. They’ve seen the replays in their minds, over and over again.
Williams put together a personal highlight reel in 2007 when he led the Illini to a stunning victory over a Buckeyes team that came into the game top-ranked and undefeated.
The most toxic clip is of Williams engineering a drive that ate up the final 8 minutes while Ohio State was desperate to get the ball back to try for a tying score. But Williams played keepaway, Illinois won 28-21 – and it was another big-game painful moment for the Buckeyes. Illinois’ fans and players flooded the field to celebrate at midfield atop Ohio State’s logo.
”Bad memories,” Ohio State linebacker Austin Spitler said grimly, staring straight ahead. ”I remember them dancing on the block O in Ohio Stadium. It just wasn’t fun.”
The Buckeyes swear they have let go of that image and are more concerned about the Xs and Os of this year’s game as Illinois returns to Ohio Stadium on Saturday for the first time since that mammoth upset.
”We went over it that one time and then we moved past it,” cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said. ”I mean, it’s two years ago. We’re not really going to harp on what happened two years ago. Obviously, we’re going to mention it because that’s the last time they played here. Then we’re going to move on and get ready for this weekend.”
To avoid a repeat of 2007, Ohio State must find a way to contain Williams, who is adept at running (he had 70 yards on 16 carries two years ago against the Buckeyes) as he is at passing (he threw for 192 yards and two TDs a year ago in Ohio State’s 30-20 win in Champaign, Ill.).
”The thing about Juice Williams is he’s a double threat,” linebacker Ross Homan said. ”He’s an unbelievable passer and at the same time if he gets outside the pocket he’s a great runner. You have to defend against the run and against the pass – and you don’t have that every week.”
Even if a human statue is playing quarterback, the defense starts up front.
”You always want to try and get pressure,” said Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell. ”The good thing is last week the front did such a good job (in a 38-0 win over Toledo). Whether it was three guys, four guys or five guys, they did an unbelievable job at getting there and causing havoc. That’s the name of the game. It makes it a lot more difficult, when you’ve got a guy who moves as well as Juice.”
The key is chasing him without having to commit extra people to the chase. Ohio State is hoping its linemen can break through Illinois’ front wall.
”The bonus defensively is if you can put pressure without sending the masses, if you can put pressure on and still cover with adequate people,” coach Jim Tressel said. ”If you have to send extra people, obviously there are spots open to throw the football.”
Williams hurt a leg muscle in the victory over Illinois State two weeks ago, but used a bye week to get healthy.
”I’ll be ready to go come Saturday,” the senior said. ”(The off week was) perfect timing. Couldn’t get any better.”
Perhaps one thing working in Ohio State’s favor is that its defense frequently practices against a mobile quarterback who can beat you with his arm or his legs. Buckeyes starter Terrelle Pryor (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) is essentially a taller duplicate of Williams (6-2, 235 pounds) in strength and ability.
”We face a running quarterback all the time,” Chekwa said. ”Running quarterbacks, they all play the same type of game. Terrelle helps us out with that.”
Williams said Illinois’ defense must do the same thing to Pryor that Ohio State’s unit will try to do against him.
”He’s a weapon that’s hard to stop,” Williams said of his counterpart. ”Hopefully our defense has an answer for him.”
That goes double for the Buckeyes.
