In the fourth quarter of its 24-23 loss to Texas, Ohio State’s defense played worse than it ever has under second-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
The Buckeyes gave up touchdown drives on three straight possessions, with Arch Manning, the Longhorns’ quarterback, completing 8 of 11 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State had plenty of chances to stop the Texas rally in its tracks. The Buckeyes were unable to recover multiple Texas fumbles in the second half and forced multiple fourth-down situations. The Longhorns recovered their own fumbles though, and made the crucial fourth-down conversions needed to win the game.
According to sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez, Ohio State’s defense needed to take a chance to reflect after blowing the late lead.
“It was tough. We took a hard look in the mirror individually and as a defense, and we all came together and had those hard conversations,” Sanchez said. “We went in there as a defense, and fixed the issues, and watched the plays. It was really not so much the whole game, it was the fourth quarter. We went in there and watched the fourth quarter because that’s when the key mistakes came up: not being able to get off the field on third or fourth down, and not being able to stop those guys when they’re driving.”
We played 40 snaps in the first three quarters, and we played 41 snaps in the fourth quarter. That hurts. Not being able to get off the field is what ultimately made us lose. We definitely have a sense of urgency on early downs and then obviously when it’s third and fourth down, just getting off the field making those plays when your number is called. That’s what we call competitive excellence.”
Although it was against much worse competition, the Buckeyes fared better in their 59-3 win over Kent State on Sept. 19. Ohio State held the Golden Flashes to just 134 yards of total offense.
Sanchez said the Buckeyes have put the loss to Texas behind them.
“We’re over it right now,” Sanchez said. “Obviously that Sunday it kind of hurt just watching the film, but after that we were over it. As soon as we got back in here, it was on to Kent State, and it’s obviously in the back of our heads… Obviously, we know we can’t lose anymore, and we’re not going to let that loss affect us down the road.”
