OSU vs Pitt 1995

by Robert Stevenson

OSU Air Force turns Pittsburgh into Dresden

On Saturday, September 23rd, the Ohio State version of the Strategic Air Command turned the pretty city on the Monongaheia River into rubbled mass much like that which lay beside the Elbe River after Dresden was devastated by Allied carpet bombing near the end of World War Two. Clinging to a 20-14 halftime lead, the Buckeyes soared back in the second half with 34 unanswered points. Total offense; 689 yards, with 421 passing and all seven TD's raining down from the sky.

Recalling the words of defensive coach Conley last week, when he predicted Terry Glenn will the the nation's top receiver for 1995, it was small surprise that Glenn was a popular target, but no one expected him to tie the OSU record of four TD catches in one game or collect 253 yards on nine grabs. And that included a catch for two-point conversion. Suddenly it appears Ohio State has two legitimate Heisman candidates, as
Eddie George piled-up 122 yards rushing and another 9 yards on two catches, mainly in the first half. George should be well-rested for next week.

Coach John Cooper awarded Glenn nine Buckeye leaves and named him the outstanding offensive player of the game. Bob Hoying merely tied his own OSU record of 5 TD passes in one game and got 8 leaves. Nick Sualua earned five leaves and had seven knock-downs during the game. Glenn had a little trouble taking care of the groceries early on, fumbling a fair catch and twice fumbling out of bounds, but none resulted in turnovers. Other players recognized were Jamie Sumner (OL), Mike Vrabel (DE), and Greg Bellisari (MLB).

Cornerback Shawn Springs' interception near end of first half was a key play, stopping the Panther drive when the score was 17-14. The Buckeyes were sacked only once but stuffed Pitt for lossses five times. Coop said the Bucks played a good first half and an outstanding second half. Both the second and third strings played and scored TDs behind back-up qb's Stanley Jackson and Hoying's kid brother Tom.

Some 20,000 OSU fans attended the game, and at several times did the four-sided O-H-I-O cheer often heard in the 'Shoe. Hoying's 61 yard TD pass to Glenn with 4:39 left in the third quarter pushed the lead to 41-14, prompting WBNS radio analyst and former fullback (late 70's) Jeff Logan to declare "it's time to put the dog in the truck. The hunt is over."

Speaking to the Columbus Downtown Quarterback Club the following Monday, Cooper said it was an official off-day for the players, but they are 'allowed' to go in and look at Notre Dame film if they want. He mentioned the entire team had stayed in Columbus working-out all summer... of their own free will. Especially if they wanted to play football in the Fall.

One area of concern was the kicking game, as Josh Jackson missed two point-after attempts. Coop thought Josh might have been too relaxed. He said the OSU kicking game reminds him of his own golf game. Does great while practicing, but when he tees it up for real... anything can happen.

Screen passes are being used more effectively than in past years...Cooper says it's because the players are better, giving this analogy; he's been carrying buckeyes in his pocket for good luck ever since he came to Columbus. The buckeyes seem to bring more luck when he has better players. He said this year's squad has been great on the field and haven't had any problems off the field... loudly knocking on wood.

Injury Report: A number of players suffered mild sprains and bruises including Josh Jacobs, who strained a knee while blocking a Pitt punt, Juan Porter (knee), Shawn Springs (knee), Rob Kelly (toe). Back-up fullback Matt Calhoun is the only player listed as doubtful for this week's game, everyone else is expected to play.

Commenting on the upcoming contest, Coop said he's known Lou Holtz since he first started coaching and he's been a winner at every school he's been. (technically correct, since Holtz' disastrous 0-5 record with the NY Jets, when he quit midseason to go to Arkansas, doesn't count as a school). Holtz practices sound football, so don't look for anything fancy. The Buckeyes plan to be doing what they've done all season; try to get the ball to Glenn and George, take advantage what the defefense gives them. Cooper said Hoying and ND quarterback Ron Powlus match up pretty evenly, but added "I wouldn't trade Bobby Hoying for any qb in the country." He gave new QB coach, Walt Harris, much credit for improving Hoying's confidence. With Harris and other new offensive assistant coaches Mike Jacobs (OL) and Chuck Stobart (WR) up in the stands, communicating with the sideline, they're doing a much better job of play calling than previous years. Commenting on the ND squad, Coop noted Holtz is basically an offensive coach and his teams are generally stronger on offense than defense. They have a big, strong offensive line and wide receiver Derrick Mayes, an All-America last season, is probably their number one player. Powlus is good at play action passes, and Cooper anticipates a power offense, often with two wide receivers on the same side of the ball.

Former OSU athletes have been asked to come to the game and form a human tunnel on the field like they did at the Michigan game last year. Another new twist, past players will be named honorary captains for the home games this year. Jim Stillwagon from the '68 National Champions was captain for the Washington game, but they haven't yet decided on this week's captain. Cooper mentioned Rex Kern and John Hicks as possible candidates.

Former All-America/All-Pro fullback Pete Johnson made a special request today, "When OSU is up 34-7 against ND in the third quarter, run the fullback up the middle three times in a row." Cooper asked Johnson to come up to the podium and then said, "If we're up 34-7 in the third quarter, Pete, I'll give YOU the ball three times up the middle."
Asked if he expected a high-scoring game Saturday, Cooper predicted the game will be "very entertaining." Late arrival Archie Griffin, associate athletic director, added that, "It's our turn to win.