Last week, Ohio State junior linebacker Joshua Perry wore a brand new 'Silver Bullets' T-shirt to meet with the media on Monday afternoon. It was a hopeful representation that the Buckeyes' defense would get back to what it once was.
And while it still has a long way to go to get there, Ohio State's defense certainly took a step in the right direction during Saturday's 31-24 double-overtime win over Penn State.
"As a defense, I thought we played our best half ever our first half," sophomore defensive end Joey Bosa said following the win. "We just made some small mistakes in the second half but we still ended up playing a good game.
He wasn't that far off.
Against an underwhelming Nittany Lions offense, the 13th-ranked Buckeyes were dominant for the game's first three quarters actually — limiting Penn State to just 89 yards of total offense as they held a 17-7 lead. The Nittany Lions' only touchdown came on an interception return for a score.
But in the fourth quarter, something changed. Penn State could suddenly move the ball as it went 45 yards on eight plays to cut the deficit to 17-10 and then with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Then, the Nittany Lions drove 77 yards on 19 plays to kick a game-tying field goal with just nine seconds left to send the game to overtime.
Three quarters of strong defense is a good thing. But not closing out strong is something that doesn't sit right with the Buckeyes.
"Ultimately, up until the last drive I would say that we had a really great game," safety Tyvis Powell told the media Monday. "But going back to it, that last drive what it helped me understand going back to the past couple games was finishing the game. We need to really fix that problem because once we get deeper into the season that's gonna be like a big deal to finish games."
Ohio State currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in total defense, allowing a shade over 300 yards per game. The pass defense — which ranked 11th in the Big Ten a year ago — has jumped all the way up to No. 3 in the league this year.
With five regular-season games remaining — including this Saturday's 8 p.m. contest with Illinois at Ohio Stadium — it's clear the Buckeyes' defense has made some strides.
And while it is not close to being the "Silver Bullets" of old just yet, Ohio State feels as if it is headed down the right path.
“We’re so close. We’re so close to being a great defense," safety Vonn Bell said. "Everybody’s just gotta take that next step, that next edge so we’re so close, just eliminate those plays off the film, just get better at practice, just grind it out with each other and stick as one.”
