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Football
Two-Minute Drill: Inside Ohio State’s Postgame
By Brandon Castel

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For the second time in three years, the Buckeyes suffered a devastating defeat at Purdue. Ross-Ade Stadium has become a house of horrors for Ohio State, despite the poor attendance from the hometown Boilermakers crowd.

The stadium was a third Scarlet and a third empty for Saturday’s game, but that didn’t stop Purdue from knocking off Luke Fickell and his team with a stunning 26-23 overtime victory.

Ohio State scored what looked like the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of the game, but Drew Basil’s extra point was blocked and the Boilermakers won it in overtime.

Here is an inside look at Ohio State’s postgame following the loss, which drops the Buckeyes to 6-4 on the season and 3-3 in Big Ten play.

The Sound of Despair

• Safety Orhian Johnson said he was getting ready for the kickoff when the extra point was blocked. Said he heard it, not the crowd, the actual block.

• Center Michael Brewster said he cant believe it came down to a blocked extra point. "We can't let that happen."

• The (low) kick was blocked by defensive tackle Bruce Gaston, who was between Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall.

• Purdue nose guard Kwann Short said he told Bruce Gaston he could squeeze in and get the block because OSU was so focused on Short on extra point.

• Brewster said he felt as bad as the 2009 loss, maybe worse. Thought they had this.

Braxton Miller’s Heroics

• Jordan Hall said he was blocking on the edge, but told Braxton he would leak out and get open if Braxton had to scramble.

• Braxton on the game-tying TD drive: “My mind said 'You've got to win. You've got to do what you've got to do to get the W.”

• Brewster said he is proud to have Braxton Miller as his QB. Called him a playmaker. At his best when he's not over-thinking.

• Braxton Miller said his stomach was bothering him in the second half and admitted to throwing up on the sideline.

• Braxton: "I wasn't feeling well. I caught a bug in the second half."

• Brewster said went over and grabbed Miller, said "you're coming back out with me."

Offensive Updates

• Brewster said he felt their mentality of running on anyone at any time caught up with them. Too many guys in the box.

• Brewster said some guys weren't picking things up very well in 1st half. Got better after they brought Corey Linsley in second half.

• Mewhort agreed that things started to work better after he moved to right tackle and Linsley came in at right guard.

• Carlos Hyde said he felt terrible after the game. Cannot understand why they come out so flat. Said that something has to change.

• Luke Fickell said they thought about going for in on 4th down in overtime, but they wanted to get points on the board, put it on defense.

Defensive Updates

• Michael Bennett said he thinks Johnathan Hankins will be OK, he was walking around on the sideline after coming out with knee injury.

• Safety C.J. Barnett said there was yet another miscommunication on the 3rd down pass in overtime. Said "maybe guys weren't paying attention."

• Purdue WR Gary Bush said he ran an under route across the middle on the OT catch on 3rd down. Said he and QB Robert Marve locked eyes.

• Barnett said Purdue's offense didn't throw anything unexpected at them. Good at forcing guys to make one on one tackles in space.

• Barnett admitted that a lot of OSU's tackling problems are guys trying to make the big hit.

• Barnett said he was very impressed with the play of Ryan Shazier. Stepped in and played very well. They didn't miss a beat after Andrew Sweat left with a concussion.

• Barnett was asked why the team came out flat again. He said, "that's on us. Coaches preached all week about starting fast. That's on us."

• Barnett also said the slow start by the defense comes down to leadership. Has to be better, himself included.

• Purdue coach Danny Hope said they had some special plays ready for today, but didn't use them. Stuck to "bread and butter."

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