Monthly Archives: November 2014

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM OHIO STATE ON QUARTERBACK J.T. BARRETT

Update on Ohio State Quarterback J.T. Barrett

5:30 p.m. – Nov. 29, 2014

Ohio State freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett (Wichita Falls, Texas; Rider High School) suffered a right ankle fracture in the second half of the Buckeyes’ 42-28 victory over Michigan Saturday at Ohio Stadium. He is scheduled to have surgery Sunday at the Ohio State University Medical Center, and he will miss the remainder of the season.

JT Barrett Thumbs Up Injury photo

Barrett, 11-1 as Ohio State’s starting quarterback after taking over the starting position just 12 days before the opening game of the season, had rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 176 yards and another score against the Wolverines. Ohio State was leading 28-21 when Barrett was injured. OSU scored the next two touchdowns of the game for a game-clinching 42-21 lead.

Barrett finishes his campaign with school record totals of 3,772 total yards and 45 touchdowns responsible for. His touchdowns total is a Big Ten record. He passed for 2,834 yards and a school-record 34 touchdowns and he rushed for an additional 938 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

INSTANT ANALYSIS – OHIO STATE 42 MICHIGAN 28

My thoughts on yet another Buckeyes victory over “That Team Up North”!

Listen Here –

JT Barrett Thumbs Up Injury photo

KENNY’S KEYS TO AN OHIO STATE WIN OVER MICHIGAN

PROTECT THE PIGSKIN – If the Buckeyes don’t turn the ball over on offense or special teams the Wolverines can’t beat them. The only way Ohio State loses this game is if the Buckeyes beat themselves. Michigan can’t match Ohio State’s offense point for point this season like they did last year in OSU’s 42-41 win in Ann Arbor. Urban Meyer has too many weapons for even the 9th ranked defense in the country to stop in J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas, Jeff Heuerman and Devin Smith just to name a few. If those guys hold onto the ball and don’t give Michigan a short field to work with or cough it up in the red zone and don’t come away with any points, then Michigan can’t beat Ohio State.

J.T. Barrett TD Pass vs Navy

A BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK – Urban Meyer and Tom Herman need to use all the weapons I mentioned above on offense. The strength of this Michigan team is on defense so you’re going to need to keep them off balance. Start with the run, mix in some throws, a few option plays, hit them with the play action pass, follow that up with a few jet sweeps and then a deep ball or two. Keep the Wolverines guessing and get everyone involved in the offense. Ideally you’d like to throw for 250 yards and run for another 200 yards in this game.

DON’T GIVE UP THE BIG PLAY – In the last three games Ohio State’s defense has given up touchdown runs of 30, 33, 52 and 90 yards. The Buckeyes need to do a better job of tackling and taking better angles to the ball. Also they can’t go for the “Sports Center” hit of the game. Be fundamentally sound and just “Do Your Job” on defense. In other words, wrap up and tackle. Don’t let quarterback Devin Gardner or wide receiver Devin Funchess take what should be a minimal gain and turn it into a momentum changing “BIG Play”. Joey Bosa, Joshua Perry, Raekwon McMillian and Doran Grant need to lead the way.

Marcus Hall Flipping the Bird to Michigan Fans 2013

YOUNG STARTERS NEED TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE – The Buckeyes will have 13 starters on offense, defense and special teams that are either freshmen or sophomores playing in “The Game”. Those “‘Yutes” (see My Cousin Vinnie for clarification) need to have complete “Focusness” (Jim Thome term) and don’t let “The Game” get too big for them. Keep your composure and don’t go all Marcus Hall on the Wolverines (although that was classic last year) and again just “Do Your Job”, instead of trying to do too much. If they play like that, then these young talented kids should be fine.

Urban Meyer

BE SOUND ON SPECIAL TEAMS – Nothing gives an underdog more hope and confidence then returning a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown. OSU’s coverage units must stay in their lanes and again just “Do Your Job” and they should be fine. Also, Urban Meyer who is in charge of the special teams units, needs to have his troops on high alert  for fake punts, field goals and extra points. The Wolverines have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this game, so you can bet that Brady Hoke will be pulling out all of the stops in what should be his last game as head coach at Michigan.

KENNY RODA 1 ON 1 WITH FORMER OSU QB JOE GERMAINE

One of Ohio States all-time best quarterbacks joined me on 1480 WHBC to talk OSU/Michigan, J.T. Barrett, Urban Meyer and more  -listen here-

Joe Germaine vs Michigan

photo courtesy – spokeo.com

 

DAVID BLATT POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER BEATING ORLANDO

The Cavs head coach talked about LeBron backing up his words, what he liked most about the 106-74 win and more.

Listen here –

David Blatt Post Game

LEBRON JAMES POSTGAME AFTER 106-74 WIN OVER ORLANDO

LeBron Jame scored 29 points and dished out 11 assists to help the Cavs snap a four game losing streak and talked about the getting back on the winning track and his aggressiveness and the importance of backing up his words.

LeBron Meida Day #1

DION WAITERS POSTGAME PRESSER AFTER 110-93 LOSS TO RAPTORS

Dion Waiters on what went wrong for the Cavs after their great start against the Raptors.

Listen here –

Dion Waiters Photo Op - Cavs Media Day - 9-26-14

DAVID BLATT POSTGAME PRESSER AFTER 110-93 LOSS TO RAPTORS

Cavs head coach David Blatt didn’t have many answers after his team’s 4th consecutive loss on Saturday night, but did hint at possible line up changes before Monday’s game with Orlando.

Listen to the entire press conference here –

David Blatt Post Game

LEBRON JAMES – CAVS FRAGILE MENTALLY

Following the Cavs 110-93 loss at home to the Raptors, LeBron James didn’t have any answers for the major performance drop off from the first quarter through the last three quarters and called the Cavs mental state “Fragile”.  Listen here –

LeBron Meida Day #1

JOE HARRIS ON LOSS TO THE SPURS

The Cavs rookie shooting guard talked about his extended minutes, playing in crunch time and getting beat by Manu Ginobili late in the game in the 92-90 loss to San Antonio.

Joe Harris Cavs Media Day 2014