After Ohio State’s absolute beatdown of UCLA, it would be disingenuous not to remind readers that these Grumpy Old Buckeye columns were originally created to parody the angry OSU fans who are never satisfied
unless the Buckeyes beat every team by 50 on the way to an undefeated and national championship season.
I may bring up some legitimate imperfections in the team, and some of them could even derail what has been a fantastic season to this point, but please take the “Grumpy” in the title with a grain of salt.
All of that preamble is a long way of saying that it is often not easy to find things with which to take umbrage. For many of these games, I stop taking notes by halftime. However, I do what I can.
With that in mind, here’s what left me cold when Ohio State played the blue and gold.
When Two Penalties are Not a Penalty
UCLA failed to get a play off before the play clock expired and broke the huddle with 12 players on the same play. Ryan Day was apoplectic on the OSU sideline, but a flag for the delay of game — and the officiating crew announcing the penalty — seemed to assuage his anger, but then the game officials retroactively awarded the Bruins a timeout.
It wasn’t the only creative officiating on the night, but it was a sign of what was an interestingly called game.
Inadvertent Football
I’m sorry. What?! I have no real gripe for this section, but that was one call I don’t think I’ve ever seen. Stupid football, be more advertent!
Just Sayin… It’s a Penalty
It’s not ideal that Ohio State’s Carnell Tate has been out with an injury and Jeremiah Smith left Saturday’s game with an injury. But the game officials also did a poor job of protecting players — namely, Buckeye quarterback Julian Sayin.
The Heisman candidate released a pass under pressure, and despite the ball clearly being gone, the blitzing defensive back took another step and hit Sayin. It wasn’t the most brutal hit, but it was obviously late and exceedingly unnecessary.
There’s an entire penalty named after roughness that is not necessary, and the refs did nothing to protect Sayin on that play. As a result of the contact, Sayin landed awkwardly and came up limping. He spent a brief spell in the medical tent but returned to the game.
The penalty, however, should have been called, giving Ohio State a first down instead of the Buckeyes kicking a field goal after not making the yard to gain.
Protect the Franchise
There were some questions before the game about Smith’s availability, but the sophomore played and did his usual insane things, including catching a pass with one hand.
If there was any question regarding Smith’s fitness, even in the midst of a Heisman Trophy campaign, he should not have been on the field against UCLA, even if that’s what he wanted to do. It’s the coaching staff’s job to manage injuries and to make difficult decisions to protect players (and, let’s be honest, to protect the rest of the team’s season).
If Smith left the game due to a new knock, that’s one thing, but if he aggravated something that could keep him out for a while — and he was not moving well at all on the sidelines after leaving the game — that’s something else entirely.
Bad Milestone Setting
Two big moments for UCLA came at Ohio State’s expense on Saturday.
First, the Buckeyes allowed UCLA’s first sack since Oct. 11 as part of a three-and-out on offense to start the second half. Later in the third quarter, the defense allowed UCLA’s longest pass play of the season as the receiver split Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr. for an explosive play on offense.
UCLA’s quarterback had almost no experience entering the game, and one wouldn’t normally expect Matt Patricia’s defense to get gashed like that by a clearly wounded opponent.
Those were the things that caused me to start stewin’ when the Buckeyes hosted the Bruins.
Obviously, most of the game was positive. Between the defense not allowing UCLA to cross midfield for most of the night, to Sayin turning in another standout performance, that sick catch Smith made and a strong night for the running backs, it was another great outing by the Buckeyes, who remain on course to reach their 2025 season goals.
Next up for Ohio State is a home game against Greg Schiano’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the final game before the Buckeyes head to the Cesspool of the World to take on That Team Up North.
