Re-Engineering the Defense Midseason

The Silver Bullets have featured some very different schemes over the past two weeks after getting exposed in Eugene.

Caleb Downs has led a revitalized Buckeye defense following a poor performance in Oregon.

Searching for Solutions on D

While an improved pass rush certainly won't hurt, foundational schematic problems across the entire defense must be addressed for the Buckeyes to achieve their goals this season.

The pressure is on Jim Knowles to shore up his defense following the lackluster performance in Oregon.

Film Study

Eleven Warriors' Kyle Jones brings you inside Ohio State football's playbook.

A Better Performance Than It Looked

The Buckeyes didn't rack up a volume of yardage on offense against Notre Dame, but the tape shows a strong performance both on the ground and through the air.

08 Sep 2022
by Kyle Jones

86 Comments

ND Has Faced Knowles' Defense Before

Despite Jim Knowles’ efforts to downplay the matchup between Oklahoma State and Notre Dame, that game provides a blueprint for how the Irish will try to attack his system.

01 Sep 2022
by Kyle Jones

52 Comments

Frye Brings New Looks to the Run Game

The last time Ryan Day and Justin Frye worked together, their running back won the Doak Walker award. This season, they must help the Buckeye rushing attack find another gear.

25 Aug 2022
by Kyle Jones

69 Comments

Safeties Asked to Do More Than Ever

For Ohio State’s defense to meet the lofty expectations placed on it, the trio of safeties must shoulder a heavier burden than they have in the past.

18 Aug 2022
by Kyle Jones

48 Comments

Knowles' Defense is Anything But Basic

The Silver Bullets showed more schematic variety in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage than they had in the past three seasons, and their new coordinator has plenty more still to...

18 Apr 2022
by Kyle Jones

108 Comments

The Centerpiece of the Game Plan

The sophomore receiver entered the Rose Bowl as the focal point of Ryan Day's game plan to beat Utah and left as MVP.

04 Jan 2022
by Kyle Jones

86 Comments

Utes Are Led by Their Elite Linebackers

Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell lead one of the best defenses the Buckeyes will have faced all season. What's the key to slowing them down?

27 Dec 2021
by Kyle Jones

37 Comments

A Matchup Nightmare for the Silver Bullets

Thanks to a pair of transfers in the backfield, the Utes turned into one of the nation's best offenses over the final two months of the 2021 season.

20 Dec 2021
by Kyle Jones

203 Comments

What Knowles' Defense Will Look Like

The Silver Bullets will look very different with the former Oklahoma State assistant calling plays this fall.

13 Dec 2021
by Kyle Jones

222 Comments

Losing the Line of Scrimmage

Ohio State couldn't match the Wolverines' superior game plan and effort on both sides of the ball.

29 Nov 2021
by Kyle Jones

220 Comments

Giving Blue Plenty to Think About

Ohio State unleashed a barrage of concepts against the Spartans, which will only make things harder for their rivals in Ann Arbor.

22 Nov 2021
by Kyle Jones

103 Comments

Zero Margin for Error Against This Offense

Opposing defenses are running out of ideas to stop this potent Buckeye attack.

15 Nov 2021
by Kyle Jones

91 Comments

A True Offensive Identity Emerges

Just as the offense evolved with Justin Fields at QB, Ohio State is attacking opponents differently with C.J. Stroud under center.

08 Nov 2021
by Kyle Jones

159 Comments

1 Blitz = 3 Turnovers

Detailing the same six-man pressure that forced all three takeaways against Penn State.

01 Nov 2021
by Kyle Jones

112 Comments

A Layered Game Plan Led to Big Results

Ryan Day's play sheet left the Hoosiers on their heels all night in Bloomington.

25 Oct 2021
by Kyle Jones

83 Comments

Little Things Making the Wideouts Special

From releases to route-running to play-calling, Ohio State is doing the little things to get the most out of its wide receiver room.

11 Oct 2021
by Kyle Jones

92 Comments

Why Playing Cover 2 is Working

The switch to a Cover 2 defense has made a huge difference for the Silver Bullets.

04 Oct 2021
by Kyle Jones

106 Comments

It All Starts Up Front

The Buckeyes average more yards-per-play than any team in America, due in large part to the efforts of its dominant O-line.

27 Sep 2021
by Kyle Jones

92 Comments

Were Any Real Changes Made on D?

Despite the bloated box score, the Buckeyes took a step in the right direction toward finding an identity on defense.

20 Sep 2021
by Kyle Jones

223 Comments

Out-Coached By Oregon

The Buckeyes simply weren't prepared for Joe Moorhead's Oregon offense.

13 Sep 2021
by Kyle Jones

304 Comments

Film Study

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