Buckeyes' once impenetrable defense is doubted

Tackling has worsened and Wisconsin won't be forgiving at Ohio Stadium today.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The prevailing opinion had been that even though Ohio State's inexperienced offense might not be all that dependable, the Buckeyes could always rely on their sturdy defense.
But on a cool evening in Evanston, Ill., of all places, Northwestern showed that maybe that wasn't the case after all.
"Their offense just took control of our defense," said Ohio State wide receiver Santonio Holmes, shaking his head in disbelief. "They came out and played harder than we did. I just think they wanted it more."
With No. 15 Wisconsin taking on 18th-ranked Ohio State today, for the first time in years many are doubting the Buckeyes' defense.
The Wildcats had little difficulty slicing and dicing a previously impenetrable unit, totaling 444 yards and continually coming up with the precise play needed to keep the chain gang busy.
Something to be desired
They converted 12-of-20 third-down situations to amass 24 first downs. Even more daunting for Ohio State's fans was that Northwestern didn't need trick plays or long bombs but beat the Buckeyes with a steady drumbeat of double-figure gains.
"We've kind of been a staple around here the last couple of years," said linebacker Bobby Carpenter. "We're expected to win games and to come out and kind of fall apart like we did was unacceptable."
Northwestern scored the game-winner on a four-play burst that revolved around quarterback Brett Basanez's 21-yard keeper that set up Noah Herron's clinching 1-yard TD run.
But the Wildcats earned all of their early points by beating the Buckeyes up front.
Ohio State has faced spread offenses similar to Northwestern's this season and in the recent past. Usually the defense has controlled the line and the game's tempo. Opposing offenses have completed short passes here and there but were unable to string together long drives. Until Saturday night, that is.
"Our tackling skills have gone down over this past year," said defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock. "Third down was a big factor. We need to get off the field more and get a break and talk about plays. It's a big problem for us."
Some blame on coaches
Coach Jim Tressel declined to point the finger at his defense for the loss. After accepting part of the responsibility -- "We did not have that preparation to play the best we were capable of playing," he said -- he credited Northwestern's offense for pulling off the big upset.
"I don't think we were terrible," he said of his defense. "They [the Wildcats] did an excellent job within the consistency and the discipline of what they do."
Linebacker A.J. Hawk, who led the Buckeyes with 14 tackles, said the loss, and how it came about, left the defense numb as it left the field.
"We're fine now," he said. "That's the thing about football, you've got to have a short memory. The game's over. You hate to lose and it's bad for the whole program, but you try to take a positive out of it."
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