We do lack the killer instinct. Idaho and Marshal were allowed to hang around longer than I like. The defense dominated the whole game yet we couldn't get a two possession lead until late in the game.
A little credit to Marshall is in order. Defending conf champs and only three games ago they were thumping NIU in their bowl. Two games ago Ohio was 6-6 and not in a bowl. Plus the process of wearing them down with an oline looks like that.
3 games and 9 months ago. You can call safe plays and still play with urgency. I'm talking dropped passes and procedure penalties. We controlled the game but couldn't put it away until the waning moments. We had drive killers the entire second half and they were unforced errors. Sorry I can't give Marshall credit based on their achievements last bowl season. By executing without mistakes we could've blown out the Herd.
Playing "with urgency" is often the cause of unforced errors. It was a big game for the players. I expect they were pressing. They know it could have been better. They were not expected to be 2-0 at this point. I refuse to be disappointed. Credit to Ohio, Marshall is a team NIU could not handle just a few games ago.
We weren't playing with urgency, we were playing not to lose. This team regardless of record needs to work on unforced errors. Dropped passes, procedure penalties, and dead ball personal fouls. We beat the same university that routed NIU but not the same team. Clearly Marshall is better with a four year starter than with a new quarterback. That's as ridiculous as saying Ohio's record against Purdue is a reasonable comparison to Marshall. We didn't beat the same Marshall team that beat NIU.
Even after a win not everything is rainbows and butterflies. There's plenty to work on because this team is far from achieving the goal we all want to see accomplished a championship. If you don't think this team needs work you'll be sorely disappointed later this year.
Yes the team needs some work. The defense however looked great. I am very concerned with the Ohio kicking game and that is an area where championship teams should be solid. But consider the fact that Ohio faced adversity in this game and had scoring drives that finished with 3 different quarterbacks. That ain't bad.
So now, especially those of us who reside between Athens and Huntington and have to live with WSAZ, WOWK, WVAH, WCHS, The Herald Dispatch and Mr. Chuck Landon (aka UNACCEPTABLE)and a bunch of Marshall fans, we are going to enjoy the fact that Ohio has won 4 of previous 5 and own the bragging rights until 2019!
GO OHIO!