One Discouraging Part of Ohio State’s Win Over Oregon: The Struggles on Defense
On September 11, 2021, Ohio State football faced off against Oregon in a highly anticipated matchup. The Buckeyes entered the game as heavy favorites, looking to bounce back after a season-opening victory against Minnesota. However, while Ohio State secured a 41-20 win over the Ducks, there was a discouraging aspect of the game that cannot be ignored: the defensive struggles that persisted throughout the contest.
While Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback CJ Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson, played efficiently and put up impressive numbers, the defense’s inability to stop Oregon from scoring at key moments was concerning. This was especially evident in the first half, where Oregon dominated the line of scrimmage, forcing the Buckeyes to play catch-up for a significant portion of the game. Ohio State’s defense allowed a staggering 505 yards of total offense to Oregon, which included 3 touchdowns and numerous big plays. This defensive vulnerability stands out, considering that Ohio State has traditionally been known for its strong, fast, and aggressive defense.
One of the most alarming aspects of Ohio State’s defensive performance was the lack of pressure on Oregon’s quarterback, Anthony Brown. Despite boasting a defensive line full of talented players like Haskell Garrett and Zach Harrison, the Buckeyes struggled to generate consistent pressure on Brown. This allowed him to complete 17 of 35 passes for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. More importantly, Brown was able to pick apart the secondary without being harassed much in the pocket.
Ohio State’s pass rush, which was expected to be one of the team’s strongest assets, could not disrupt Oregon’s offensive flow. The Ducks’ offensive line was able to protect Brown well enough for him to deliver timely throws. This lack of pass rush put undue pressure on the Buckeyes’ secondary, which was already facing a tough challenge in covering Oregon’s wide receivers. The absence of a strong pass rush raises concerns about how Ohio State would fare against other high-powered offenses in the Big Ten, such as those of Michigan or Penn State.
Equally discouraging was Ohio State’s difficulty in stopping Oregon’s running game. The Ducks accumulated a total of 269 rushing yards, with running back CJ Verdell accounting for 161 of those yards. Verdell was able to find gaping holes in Ohio State’s defensive line, and his 3 rushing touchdowns exposed vulnerabilities in the Buckeyes’ run defense. At times, it appeared as if Oregon’s offensive line dominated Ohio State’s defensive front seven, which led to long, sustained drives.
While Ohio State had been relatively solid against the run in its previous season, the team’s defensive line seemed to lack the physicality and discipline needed to shut down Oregon’s ground attack. Missing tackles and poor gap integrity were evident throughout the game, which allowed Oregon to control the tempo and dictate the pace of the game. The inability to stop the run is a concerning issue for the Buckeyes, as it could be exploited by teams with effective rushing attacks as the season progresses.
The secondary also played a role in Ohio State’s defensive woes. Although Oregon’s passing game was not overwhelming, the Buckeyes’ defensive backs struggled with coverage and missed key opportunities to make plays. There were numerous instances where Oregon’s receivers found open space in the secondary, leading to big plays. The defensive backs seemed hesitant in coverage, and there were missed assignments that allowed receivers to gain significant yardage. In particular, the lack of a consistent pass-rush put more pressure on the secondary, which struggled to hold up against the passing attack.
One play that highlighted the vulnerability of the Buckeyes’ secondary was when Brown connected with receiver Jaylon Redd for a 32-yard touchdown pass. Redd was left wide open down the sideline, showcasing poor communication in the secondary. While the defensive line and linebackers were certainly responsible for some of the issues, the secondary’s failure to consistently lock down Oregon’s receivers was a glaring issue in the game.
Despite these defensive struggles, Ohio State still emerged victorious, which speaks to the team’s overall talent and depth. However, the weaknesses displayed on defense cannot be overlooked, and the Buckeyes must address these concerns as they head deeper into the season. The team’s defense will likely be a key factor in any potential playoff run, and if Ohio State is to compete at the highest levels, significant improvements need to be made.
The good news is that the Buckeyes have the talent to fix these issues. Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will likely spend the coming weeks working with his unit to shore up the defensive line, improve the pass rush, and make the secondary more cohesive. With a roster filled with elite athletes, Ohio State has the potential to bounce back from this disappointing performance. However, the struggles against Oregon have raised legitimate questions about how well the defense will perform in the high-stakes matchups to come. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the season progresses, hoping to see improvement from a defense that has the potential to be one of the best in the nation.
Ultimately, while Ohio State’s win over Oregon was a positive result, the defensive struggles remain a troubling takeaway. If the Buckeyes are to continue their path to success this season, their defense must play at a higher level and become more consistent in key moments.