Our Honor Defend

4th down, 1st quarter, TD?

Shall We Grab Our Pitchforks? Or Just File A Claim For Indemnity?

The picture to your right is the 4th down play following Terrelle Pryor’s unsightly interception in the first quarter.  That ball is not in.  Friend of the program John F. sent me this picture just shortly after the final gun (and, John, I apologize for not responding in a timely manner), and it would seem to be cause for an uproar.  In such a tight, defense-dominated contest, wiping this TD off the board may have been the difference in the game.

Still, the funny thing is that it seems to be more of a cause for a self-deprecating laugh, or just an addition to the misery, than anything else.  After all, it’d be hard to take up this cause in earnest:

• This was a Big Ten officiating crew for the game.  It’d be hard to claim some kind of screwjob with a straight face.
• Getting the ball at the 28 on the ensuing kickoff helped open things up for the offense when, you can only imagine that it would tighten up and eventually punt from its own goalline or endzone.  This drive resulted in a game-tying TD.
• The defense more than compensated for the rest of the first quarter and the next two quarters afterwards.  Winning that 4th quarter would’ve been nice, though.

Doc Sat is enthused, but this is really no big deal.  I don’t see many people in Ohio State’s camp flipping out about this, not when the hot button issue of getting a new offensive coordinator is on the table.

Speaking Of Which…

Some people love Duane Long; others hate him.  I approach him with the same agnosticism that I do all things in life, sans my pathological devotion to the Buckeyes and a few other quintessentially “me” things.  On point, Duane Long had this to say in his most recent blog post.

First, let me say this. I am so sure that Jim Bollman is gone that I am ready to consider some sort of bet with those that don’t think so. Maybe something concerning internet silence like C_Woodson and Ottbuck did recently on Bucknuts. Since I make a living doing this, going silent for awhile is a big deal. That I make a living doing this tells you just how sure I am of this. I will go silent for a month if Jim Bollman is either the OC or the offensive line coach next year. No posts anywhere. Not here. Not on Bucknuts. Going silent for a month at that time a year is all the more damaging to me. I am that sure of what I say.

FYI

A Real Cause For Tressel’s Dismissal

I said earlier that all calls for Tressel to be dismissed are premature.  Then I noticed this.

But the American Mustache Institute wants Jones to know he’s not alone. The 44-year-old mustache advocacy group based out of St. Louis is a big supporter of Jones and his mustache.

“We’ve been paying attention to Landry,” said Aaron Perlut, chairman of the Institute. “We love it. Unfortunately, when he first entered the game, there was a lot of criticism the following week about his mustache. We find that very disappointing.

“That’s the life of downtrodden, mustache-wearing Americans.”

…

“We are inspired by Landry and appreciate everything that he’s doing,” Perlut said. “He is a shining beacon of freedom for all the young people out there who wear mustaches.”

The American Mustache Institute adds more on their blog.

He might not be a Heisman candidate, but certainly should garner consideration for the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year honor.

What’s missing? Any reference to a Buckeye or The Ohio State University, long established as the sentinel for glorious college football mustaches.  How can discussion of college football mustaches not center around the school responsible for the Buckstache?  Well, it turns out that the current football program has no quality candidates here, and that  reflects directly on Tressel.  Does Tressel pay no heed to the legacies of Brian Baschnagel, Chris Spielman, Marlon Kerner (and countless others)?  I had hopes for Donnie Evege, but it appears that Tressel has discouraged him (see: here also) from cultivating what was previously a burgeoning mustache.

I must say, I’m very disappointed.  I’m also confused.  How can Tressel not foster the development of the proud Buckstache legacy at Ohio State when his very own offensive coordinator is proudly pushing the cause?

Someone on this 2009 team must step up on this all too important matter.

What To Watch For

Weekday football is where “struggling to be relevant” happens.  Still, make sure to watch Miami playing host to the Yellow Jackets (ESPN, 7:30PM ET).  The flexbone triple option offense is really fun to watch when it’s not being run against your own team.  Besides, if you remember this game from last year, all hell broke loose for Miami in hilarious fashion.

Boise State also goes on the road to play Fresno State on Friday (ESPN, 9:00PM ET).