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Football
Two-Minute Drill: Beyond the Win over Toledo
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It wasn’t pretty, but Ohio State held on for a 27-22 victory over Toledo Saturday.

The Buckeyes scored first, but struggled offensively for much of the game. They needed a punt return by Chris Fields and a fourth-down stand in their own red zone to lock up a victory over the Rockets.

We take you beyond the win in our two-minute drill for a look at what the players and coaches were saying after the game.

Quarterback Situation

• Joe Bauserman made it clear that not turning the ball over was his No. 1 priority today.

• Tight end Jake Stoneburner thought Bauserman handled himself well. Did a good job getting rid of it when he had to.

• Luke Fickell said their plan was to play Braxton Miller in the 2nd quarter, but they had to adjust. Didn't feel it was right time.

• Fickell said he still considers Ohio State to have two quarterbacks, not a starter and a backup.

Injuries

• Fickell said John Simon was dealing with cramps, and that's why he had to come out of the game.

• Simon went to the locker room for fluids, but came back in time to make the game saving pressure on Terrance Owens.

• Philly Brown re-injured the ankle he hurt last week, but worse this time. He was wearing an air cast and using crutches, so his status is uncertain for the trip to Miami.

• Nathan Williams missed the game with a knee injury. Being told it was a bone bruise.

Suspensions

• A number of players said the team didn't find out until Friday that Jordan Hall, Travis Howard and Corey Brown wouldn't be playing.

• Many of them found out from Twitter or the media.

• Etienne Sabino said it has been very rough on Travis Howard and the other two guys and it would be agonizing not to make the trip to Miami.

Offensive Notes

• Chris Fields said he saw the lane open up on his punt return and the only guy in his way was the punter. Said he couldn’t allow himself to get caught by the punter.

• Offensive linemen said Toledo was bringing safeties into the box and loading the middle with bodies.

• Stoneburner said he is still mad at himself for dropping the 4th down play. Said he got his hands turned wrong way.

• Fickell said Rod Smith is hard on himself right now, but he remembers Eddie George fighting through same problem when he was at OSU.

• Fickell said “Carlos Hyde is our starting running back,” when he was asked about the other backs returning. 

Defensive Notes

• Fickell said decision to call timeout on final stand went back to '09 game here vs. Iowa. He remembers they needed one, but didn't take it. Wanted to settle the guys down.

• The main thing was that Toledo had gotten speedster Eric Page lined up against LB Andrew Sweat. So they subbed Christian Bryant in to cover him.

• Tyler Moeller said a big reason Toledo had so much success with the screen play was because he couldn't get off blocks. He did not have a tackle Saturday.

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