The first half gave us the illusion that we might win 2 or 3 more games this season. Then the second half restored the sense of reality.
The general comments about the deficiencies of our coaches are valid. Allow me to present three specific examples of incompetence.
First, on Indiana States first touchdown, the pass to the running back down the sideline. He was being chase by #42, our defensive end. Perhaps #42 recognized broken coverage and was just trying his best. But I suspect that our DC actually schemed in this situation for our defensive end to cover a running back. Madness.
Second, although we finally got pressure on a quarterback, in the second half we were rushing wildly with little regard to the integrity of the lanes. That enabled their oline to brush our edge rushers toward the outside and opened up gaps that their running quarterback used for 10, 20, and 30 yard gains. Keep a running quarterback in the stinkin' pocket. Inexcusable.
Third, the single blunder that almost cost us the game. Around seven minutes left and we near their 20 yard line. We run outside on second and long which places the ball on the right hash mark. On third down we throw an incomplete pass into the end zone which keeps the ball on the right hash mark. Predictably, our field goal kicker then hits the right upright. Tressel or any other competent coach would have made sure that in that situation the ball would be resting in the middle of the field for fourth down. Stupidity.
