Can Ohio State Buckeyes Bounce Back After Missouri Tigers' Upset?
The Ohio State Buckeyes, with an 11-2 record, faced a formidable opponent in the Missouri Tigers, also holding an 11-2 record. In a game that saw both teams striving for dominance, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious with a final score of 14-3.
The Buckeyes entered the game with high expectations but struggled to find their rhythm on offense. The passing game was stifled by the Tiger's defense, managing only 106 yards through the air and completing just 42 percent of their attempts. Despite being sacked four times, they were able to complete ten passes and achieve five first downs via passing. The ground attack wasn't much more effective; although they ran for 97 yards on 33 attempts, they failed to reach the end zone.
Ohio State's defense put up a valiant effort with six sacks and nine tackles for loss among their total of seventy-four combined tackles. They also forced one fumble but couldn't capitalize on it by scoring or regaining possession from turnovers.
Special teams had mixed results as well; while punting was solid with eight attempts averaging forty-eight yards per punt and three landing inside the twenty-yard line, field goal kicking split down the middle – one made from forty-four yards out but another missed attempt kept points off the board.
Penalties were another area where Ohio State struggled; eight penalties cost them fifty-seven yards and often disrupted any momentum they tried to build. Their third-down efficiency stood at a mere thirteen percent success rate which contributed significantly to their inability to sustain drives.
As time ticked away in AT&T Stadium before an audience of seventy thousand one hundred fourteen fans, hope dwindled for Ohio State supporters when in fourth quarter Missouri broke through scoring all fourteen points securing their win over OSU who could not muster any response.
Looking ahead after this tough loss at Arlington's AT&T Stadium against Missouri Tigers will be challenging for Ohio State Buckeyes as they reflect on what went wrong and how they can improve moving forward into next season. Fans can tune in next season when OSU takes on new challenges hoping for better outcomes.