Hall, Ross struggle while OSU passing attack generates little

Ohio State managed 120 yards rushing against the Aztecs.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Before the season began, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he was confident the Buckeyes could win a Big Ten title without Maurice Clarett.
But junior running backs Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross have yet to live up to preseason expectations, and after Saturday's 16-13 squeaker over San Diego State, Clarett's absence is beginning to loom large.
"We were hoping that we could run the ball better than we did," Tressel said.
Part of the problem was San Diego State's game plan. The Aztecs played eight men in the box for much of the game, daring the Buckeyes to beat them through the air.
They didn't.
"We allowed them to control the tempo of the game," Tressel said. "We didn't throw it well enough really to make them afraid to play that front."
The numbers
Hall finished with 19 carries for 91 yards, but Ohio State had just 120 yards rushing for the game. Ross, who was hampered with a foot injury, had just 16 yards rushing.
"We thought we could match up with Ohio State and commit more people to the line of scrimmage," San Diego State coach Tom Craft said. "Our defense played outstanding and we felt if we were going to have a chance against Ohio State, it was going to be because of our defense."
Hall and Ross combined for 103 yards rushing in last week's 28-9 win over Washington, and the Buckeyes were hoping to punish the smaller Aztecs on the ground.
It didn't happen.
Still, Tressel dodged questions about Clarett. When asked if the running game is suffering from his absence, he pointed to the lack of depth as the main problem.
"We have had the luxury of having three experienced guys as we went down the stretch [last season]," Tressel said. "I have to tip my cap to Moe Hall because he carried the burden [on Saturday] when things weren't going great."
Bad day
Krenzel's problems throwing the ball were also a concern. After throwing for more than 200 yards against Washington, Krenzel was just 5 of 20 for 76 yards and an interception.
Part of that was due to pressure -- Krenzel was sacked three times and faced pressure most of the day.
"We had the philosophy that we were going to sell out and just keep coming," Craft said. "Basically, we committed more people to the line of scrimmage. A lot of Ohio State's plays are slow developing and we thought we could beat them to the punch."
Krenzel was frustrated with his performance, but said he didn't feel the Buckeyes overlooked San Diego State.
"We knew coming into this game we were playing a very good football team," Krenzel said. "We need to get better.
"We took a step backwards, I think, from last week and now we're going to have to take two steps forward this week to be where we want to be," Krenzel said.