One of Ohio State’s biggest issues in its four games of the season has been its pass defense, particularly in regards to its pass coverage at the cornerback position.
The Buckeye cornerbacks were beaten repeatedly for big plays in Ohio State’s first two games against Indiana and Oklahoma, in which the Buckeyes allowed 806 total passing yards, 39 first downs through the air and six passing touchdowns.
After being virtually untested in the passing defense against Army, Ohio State’s pass coverage was better against UNLV – the Buckeyes allowed only 88 passing yards, four first downs on pass completions and zero passing touchdowns – but there was one recurring issue that plagued the cornerbacks on Saturday: pass interference penalties.
Ohio State’s cornerbacks were flagged four times for either pass interference or defensive holding on passing plays on Saturday, all resulting in first downs for the Rebels.
That, compounded with the high number of yards, first downs and touchdowns allowed in the first two games, leaves reason to be concerned about the cornerbacks as the Buckeyes get into the meat of their conference schedule.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said this week that pass defense remains his biggest concern at this point in the season and that cornerback play – specifically in regards to avoiding penalties – is an area that needs to improve.
"I thought our corner development would be a little bit further ahead, but they are making strides," Meyer said Monday. "We've got to get that fixed and move forward. And it's technique-related. It's not effort-related. It's certainly not talent-related. It's technique-related."
Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, however, does not believe there are any major issues with his cornerbacks’ technique. While he acknowledges that the cornerbacks’ play needs to be better, he also believes they are not far off from where they need to be.
"It’s kind of like a batter (in baseball) and you’re just not hitting the ball, you’re flying out instead of driving into the power alley," Schiano said. "It’s real close. We’ll get it right. These are real good players, real good corners."
“I thought our corner development would be a little bit further ahead, but they are making strides.”– Urban Meyer
Schiano says he has "very closely" watched every play that Ohio State’s cornerbacks have played this year, and also sat down with cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs to discuss how they can spur improvement at the position. He says both of them are confident that the team’s cornerback play is going to trend upward, but that they are nonetheless working hard to figure out how they can make it better.
"They’re very close calls. But if the flag is thrown, it’s interference. So we’ll keep tweaking it," Schiano said. "Whenever we have an issue around here, we put laser lights on it and we figure out how to get it fixed. And it’s not to where they’re very far off. And those will turn into productive plays."
One criticism of Ohio State’s cornerbacks this season – and seemingly a reason why they have been susceptible to penalties and big plays – has been that they have not been getting behind receivers and not turning their heads around to the ball. Schiano, however, says that not every coverage is designed for the Buckeye cornerbacks to turn and locate the ball.
"If you are in an advantaged position, so you’re even with the receiver or you’re over the top of the receiver, then you lean and locate. That’s the verbiage. If you’re behind him, you don’t, because all you’re going to get to see is somebody celebrating over your shoulder. Because the guy’s going to catch the ball," Schiano said. "Now, part of it is, why are you behind? Why are you trailing? Some coverages are designed that way and others aren’t. So the ones that aren’t, you have to be on top of him. And that helps a little bit. But there’s not one single issue."
Denzel Ward, who has played the most snaps among Ohio State cornerbacks this season, has two pass interference penalties but also leads the Buckeyes – and is tied for third among all Football Bowl Subdivision players – with eight passes defensed, including one interception. According to Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo, Ward has been targeted 22 times and allowed only seven receptions in the Buckeyes’ first four games.
Denzel Ward has been Ohio State's top playmaker in the secondary.
Ohio State’s No. 2 cornerback, Damon Arnette, has given up more big plays and has not recorded any pass breakups outside of his interception against UNLV on Saturday. With that being said, his play has seemed to improve by the game and he has only been flagged once for pass interference.
The weak link of Ohio State’s three-man cornerback rotation against UNLV – and arguably in Ohio State’s first three games too – was Kendall Sheffield, who committed two pass interference penalties and a defensive holding against the Rebels. Schiano, though, is confident Sheffield will bounce back, while he also felt Sheffield was a victim of circumstance on the defensive holding penalty, while came on a slant route by UNLV receiver Devonte Boyd on the Rebels’ first third down of the game.
"I’m not worried about his confidence, because I know him," Schiano said of Sheffield. "If it were just a person that I didn’t know, I’d be worried about his confidence. But he can see, he’s a football guy, so he can see 'If I just do this…'
"The one, he does a great job of pressing (Boyd), and the ball’s thrown, and he gets (defensive holding). So that one’s a tough one," Schiano added. "He had his hands on him on the three-step slant. If you play press coverage, that’s going to happen once in awhile."
Ward, Arnette and Sheffield have all been listed as starters or co-starters on Ohio State’s cornerback depth chart all season, and the trio is expected to continue rotating regularly at the position. Meyer said Tuesday that true freshman Jeffrey Okudah, who is listed as Ward’s backup on the depth chart, has “taken a giant step” since the start of the season and also made a push for increased playing time.
