In what was a near-flawless start for Ohio State’s offense in a conquering of in-state foe Cincinnati, Urban Meyer’s head almost exploded after his team committed a false start in the second quarter — a mere blip in an overture to one of the biggest outpourings in school history.
Yet here was Meyer letting himself soak in a fit of anger before erupting and roaring “TAKE CHARGE” at an offense driving, slicing, and gut-punching the Bearcats and a defense made of paper tigers.
A few days — and a few interviews — later, it seems obvious Meyer’s outburst was directed at J.T. Barrett, the redshirt freshman quarterback charged with replacing the irreplaceable Braxton Miller.
You already know how Barrett's been more-than-admirable in doing so. In four games, he's been named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week three times, completed 64 percent of his passes and averages 272 yards a game. In a 50-28 dismantling of Cincinnati’s horrid defense, he threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns. It was arguably his finest hour.
After being victimized against Virginia Tech a few weeks earlier, Barrett stood tall in the pocket and made necessary checks and adjustments to power the Buckeyes to 710 total yards and 45 first downs — the latter of which tied an FBS record.
But, golly, that ultimately insignificant false start penalty sure did piss Meyer off.
"You can say the center, the tackle, the guard, whoever it was — it's the quarterback('s fault)," Meyer said. "We had some conversations on the sideline. And they weren't pleasant. It's all him. And he's gotta take charge."
Because this was, after all, a moment that underlined Barrett's inexperience and shortcomings in a quest to seize control of an offense brimming with raw potential, but lacking in polish. It needs someone at the controls — even if that someone is just as young as most of the supporting cast around him.
Otherwise, things can unravel fast.
"We just talk about making sure I know what’s going on: making checks, being loud, making sure everybody knows what to do," Barrett said.
"So if I do a check, we’re not just looking like the bad news bears."
While Barrett meets with reporters only once a week — and that’s only if the Buckeyes win — those are the type of things he'll say. He's refreshingly candid. Ask him a question and he’ll consume, digest, and process the words without spitting back some mindless, cringe-worthy pre-scripted answer — you know, like an actual human being and not some robot built to play football. The point here is he's smart, and he comes across as such in interviews. You figure it translates to the field, too.
"(He's an) extremely intelligent guy. He understands we want to run a play. There's certain looks that don't run against that. He did a very good job," Meyer said. "In the second half he got us in a bunch of them. I want to say a dozen times he changed the plays ... That's what the quarterback has to do."
But the instances of miscommunication? That has to stop, Meyer said.
"When you see false starts, when you see a little bit disorganization — (the offense) said they couldn't hear him," Meyer said. "I kept screaming 'Peyton Manning' at him, because when I study or just get to watch games, Peyton Manning's still as good as I've ever seen as far as taking control. And he's not there yet. So take control of the offense."
Of course, Meyer's not asking Barrett to be Manning, who's perhaps the best NFL quarterback of the past 15 years. But he is asking him to be the leader the Buckeyes have talked of since he was thrust into the spotlight a week before the season opener. For a smart kid, it's a task he should be able to handle with a trip to Maryland looming this weekend.
"J.T.'s proved he's got the cognitive ability to do it. Now he's got to continue to have that leadership. And now we're going on the road. We need to bring more presence behind his voice," Meyer said, adding: "He doesn't exactly rattle the walls when he speaks."
But confidence —which, for Barrett, seems to grow every weekend — can turn any lamb into a lion. If you hear him barking "OMAHA!" Saturday, you'll know why.
