With all of our growing pains, if the oc was just consistently conservative inside the ten yard line, we would be in better shape. Two classic examples today. First drive, second and six from the nine yard line. He throws two passes and then kicks the field goal. Fourth quarter, third and less than two from the ten, he throws into the end zone on third down. Then the fourth down pass was dropped but probably short of the first down marker anyway.
Let's see. We have the best back in FCS. His relief is an acceptable complimentary runner. Yet we can't pound the ball in for the last ten yards? Ridiculous. The only time Tressel ever threw from inside the ten was on play-action, usually to a wide open tight end.
We lost the North Dakota game by passing needlessly in the red zone. We should have lost this game today for the same stupid reason. I'm not asking for genius strategy, just plain common sense.