Halftime Analysis: Ohio State Leads Tulsa In Low Scoring Affair
Admittedly, the first quarter didn't leave a particularly good impression. The Buckeyes offense stalled early on it's first drive. Then Tulsa took the ball 16 plays and 81 yards down the field, milking more than six minutes off the clock. They settled for a field goal inside the 5-yard line, which I found to be a curious decision.
The Buckeyes second drive wasn't exactly scintillating either. C.J. Stroud completed just 2-of-6 passes for 25 yards, routinely over-throwing receivers. TreVeyon Henderson ran hard and was really close to breaking a big run.
Before the Buckeyes settled for a long field goal (Noah Ruggles hit from 43 yards), captain and left guard Thayer Munford went off with an apparent right leg injury.
After Tulsa went methodically went down the field a second time and kicked another field goal, the Ohio State offense finally looked a bit crisper. C.J. Stroud guided the Buckeys down the field in six plays, four of which were 12 yards or more.
I think the defense has done a better job tackling today, but Tulsa is still getting too many good looks. Davis Brin hasn't been particularly sped up too often and it feels like their attack has been death by 1,000 paper cuts.
Ohio State's secondary in particular has played pretty well so far today. In general, the #Buckeyes are tackling better, not getting burned on big plays and have had tight coverage. Denzel Burke's overturned interception left me scratching my head ... not sure how that could have been ruled a catch by Tulsa. Burke, Cam Brown, Cam Martinez and Ronnie Hickman are all having a nice first half. Hickman's INT with a few seconds left in the half was a great play.
Cody Simon seems to be getting really comfortable at linebacker. He's anticipating plays nicely and looks explosive. He needs to be on the field more often.
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