On The Mark 10.20.14 #Buckeyes & #Browns Recap

Buckeyes continue to improve, Browns regress
By @MarkW2112

Here is my combined recaps of the Buckeyes and Browns games from this weekend

Buckeyes:

The Ohio State Buckeyes came out with another statement game as they destroyed the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 56-17.  It was no contest from the start as J.T. Barrett should now enter in to Heisman Trophy talk with another spectacular performance.  The freshman, who completed his first 9 passes, went 19-of-31 for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air and added 107 rushes yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.  It was another solid game for Ezekiel Elliot who ended with 69 yards rushing and 1 touchdown.  The play of the game came on a 1 handed grab by Evan Spencer for a touchdown, making it 56-10 at that point.  The offensive line continued it's excellent play, giving Barrett plenty of time to check down his reads and space to run the ball at will.

Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova, who was fantastic against Michigan, was nearly shutdown by the Buckeyes defense, going 17-of-28 for 192 yards and an interception to Doran Grant in the end zone at the end of the second quarter.  Earlier in the second, Rashad Frazier forced Janarion Grant to fumble on Rutgers 20 and was recovered by Eli Apple who ran it in for a touchdown.  The defense, while giving up 17 points, was solid nonetheless all game including 4 sacks, 2 from Joey Bosa.

My take: J.T. Barrett has not looked like a freshman since the Navy and Virginia Tech game.  He should be in the Heisman conversation but his biggest test comes in 3 weeks against Michigan State.  It's impressive that Ohio State's offense has scored over 50 points 4 games in a row for the first time in it's 125 year history.  Unless the unforeseen happens, Barrett is on his way to breaking the single season touchdown record for a Buckeyes quarterback.

Next up: in Happy Valley next Saturday against the Penn State Nittany Lions at 8 PM

Browns:

In their worst all around game of the year, the Browns lost to the previously 0-6 Jacksonville Jaguars 24-6 in a game dominated by the Jags defense.  Brian Hoyer, sharp almost all season, looked lost along with the rest of the offense for most of the game. The offensive line couldn't get any holes open for their running backs, a first this year. However, this loss might be solely on the coaching staff, who made blunders throughout the game, including going for it on 4th-and-1 instead of going for the points.  This lead to the Jags taking the lead 7-6 at the end of the first half.

The game got worse from there.  With game at 10-6, the Jags punted the ball only to be fumbled by Jordon Poyer at the 3 yard line and recovered by the Jags, leading to a Denard Robinson (yes, that's not a typo) 3 yard run.  After that, Hoyer threw his second interception which lead to a Storm Johnson 3 yard touchdown to complete the blowout near the end of the game.

Tashaun Gipson had a great game with 2 interceptions against Blake Bortles, who wasn't great but somehow was the winning quarterback due to Hoyer being even worse.  The defense also gave up 127 yards to Robinson, who looked like an all pro.

My take: this was a "Trap" game and the Browns fell right in to it.  Gus Bradley should be commended for his game plan on defense.  Mike Pettine coached his worst game this year, Brian Hoyer played his worst game as a starter and the offensive line sorely misses Alex Mack.  While the defense did a pretty good job on Bortles, Denard Robinson had a damn fine game in his first start at running back.  It is definitely a game the Browns want to wipe from their memory.

Next week: at home against the Oakland Raiders and their rookie QB Derek Carr.  You know revenge has to be on his mind since the Browns passed on him in the draft.