As Ohio State prepares for a semifinal matchup against Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, the lack of calls — specifically holding against opposing offenses — has been a talking point.
Only once this season has a holding call been made against an OSU opponent that wasn’t offset by a penalty committed by the Buckeyes. That came on an inconsequential 11-yard run in the first quarter of Ohio State’s 49-14 win against Marshall …
… on Sept. 21.
“Yeah, we’re aware of the stat,” linebacker Sonny Styles said this week. “We don’t pay attention to it too much, though. You’ve got to just play through it. Just let your talent take over. Don’t let it come down to a ref’s decision.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The title of national champion can only go to one of 134 FBS teams, and Ohio State is the betting favorite to own that label when the College Football Playoff ends in two weeks.
However, the Buckeyes already own a not-so-desired title as one of one.
Those lined up in the trenches weren’t as passive at Styles.
“I think our whole D-line gets held every game,” defensive tackle Tyleik Williams said. “I don’t know what the refs are seeing or what’s going on with that, but you turn on the tape and really look at it, we’re held almost every play.”
The screenshot-happy section of social media supported his claim, posting various images showing holding calls that weren’t made against Oregon’s offensive line in a Rose Bowl loss against Ohio State on Jan. 1.
The dominant play of the Buckeyes’ defensive line in recent week suggests opposing offensive lines have to be holding at some point.
Ohio State has collected 12 sacks and 57 pressures, per Pro Football Focus, in CFP wins against Tennessee and Oregon.
“We can be actors, but we don’t really teach nothing like that,” Williams said. “I don’t know if it’s because we’re Ohio State, letting things go or what it is, but it’s been pretty bad.”
Texas ranks 93rd nationally with 5.4 opponent penalties per game. The Longhorns’ defense, which ranks fourth nationally with 44 sacks this season, has drawn 14 holding calls.
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