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American Veterans Who Served and Played Professional Sports

By
Jeremy Evans
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If this author were a betting man, the bet would be how many Hall of Fame professional sports stars served in the military?  To simplify that and avoid losing money, we are going to list some of the most recognizable athletes who are in the Hall of Fame for a professional sport and served in the American Armed Forces.  There is one Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee who also served in the American Civil War, Morgan Bulkeley, with the United States Army, and although we cannot cover all of those who served and played as our American Heroes, the list here is wonderful provided by the MLB Hall of Fame.  Unfortunately, the list does not include those who served in the Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recent American Wars, mostly because of timing, the lack of a draft, and eligibility (not being far enough from retirement, etc.).  There is also a lack of official data from the NFL, MLS, NHL, and NBA.

However, noting that all of our veterans are heroes and we celebrate them on this National Holiday of Veterans Day, he we go:

1. Jackie Robinson, World War II, United States Army, Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers

2. Ted Williams, World War II and Korean War, United States Marines, Boston Red Sox

3. Joe DiMaggio, World War II, United States Army, New York Yankees

4. Yogi Berra, World War II, United States Navy, New York Yankees

5. Willie Mays, Korean War, United States Army, New York/San Francisco Giants

6. Stan Musial, World War II, United States Navy, St. Louis Cardinals

7. Roger Staubach, Vietnam War, United States Navy, Dallas Cowboys

8. Chad Hennings, Gulf War, United States Air Force, Dallas Cowboys

9. Rocky Bleier, Vietnam War, United States Army, Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Chuck Bednarik, World War II, United States Army Air Corps, Philadelphia Eagles

11. George McAfee, World War II, United States Navy, Chicago Bears

Honorable mention: Pat Tillman

There are many more not listed here, but that is not for lack of appreciation or effort.  Hopefully your exploration via the links and in your own research will find many more.  We salute our veterans and appreciate their sacrifice, service, and dedication.  True heroes indeed.  And may God continue to bless these United States of America.

With Petrino gone, Louisville eyes its future

By
Stephen Patrick
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Bobby Petrino had a 77-35 record at the University of Louisville. During his second stint, he went 36-26, elevating the program with 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.

However this year, he lost the team with a 2-8 record with recruits decommitting. Consequently, UofL fired Petrino. Let’s look at the top candidates for his replacement.

Jeff Brohm, Purdue

Brohm’s a Louisville native who played for the Cardinals. He’s shown the ability to win at Western Kentucky and Purdue with a huge win over Ohio State this year. Former quarterbacks Jim Harbaugh, Mark Richt and Scott Frost have returned to their alma maters with varying degrees of success. If he wants the job, it’s his. He has the most history at Louisville. He would recruit the area better than anyone, something Louisville lacked. He would infuse energy into a program suffering one of its worst seasons in years.

Ryan Day, Ohio State

Day is well-regarded in coaching circles. Particularly this year after he handled the turmoil at Ohio State in his three games as acting head coach. He brought the Buckeyes through a tough situation with the Urban Meyer scandals about as well as could have been expected. He has NFL experience as a quarterback coach. As the Louisville sports program has also been rocked by scandal, Day’s crisis management experience could lead the Cards back to the promised land.

Brent Venables, Clemson

Venables would be an excellent choice. He’s been at the center of national championship contenders. Venables built a top defense unit at Clemson, serving as coordinator since 2012 after 13 years at Oklahoma. Defense has plagued the Cardinals for the last two years since Louisville released Todd Grantham after the 2016 season. Venables knows the ACC well and has seen Louisville compete against his defense at a high level.

Charlie Strong, Southern Florida

Strong’s mojo worked for a while doubling back with Petrino. He compiled a 37-15 record from 2010-13. It’s not the worst fit, but would Strong want to come back? Strong had a vibrant run coaching the Cardinals four years this decade, leading Louisville to the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Strong’s kept the momentum going at USF. There’s no doubt he’s ready for a jump back to Power Five, but it would only happen at Louisville if, for some reason, Brohm says “no.” Strong recruited many Florida players, transforming UofL into a NFL football factory for several years. The city of Louisville would certainly welcome him back with open arms.

Chip Long, Notre Dame

At 35, Long is a fresh, new face on the scene and has ties to the program. He was a Louisville offensive graduate assistant under Brohm in 2006-07. Thus far this season, Long’s future looks bright. The pressure of coaching at a football powerhouse has him prepared for a Power Five team in Louisville. Long’s guided the quarterback situation to college football playoff level, while developing a pounding running game despite an offensive line which lost two All-Americans. The essential question is, would Louisville allow him to coach through the playoffs?

What Makes a Great Athlete?

By
Jeremy Evans
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Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson; Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

There are five things that are included in the makeup, character, and performance of a great athlete.  Athletes are humans, we sometimes forgot that and it is easy to with their performances on the field of play, but it is essential that we hold athletes in perspective.  Athletes are not God or gods as much we or they might want to be in their competitive pursuit of excellence.

When a scout is doing their job, one of the most important attributes to look for and analyze is the character makeup of the person.  What makes him or her tick, perform, and excel?  In the end, character wins over many faults and failures (as does, for better or worse, consistent winning).  Arguably, however, all five of the following attributes are matters of the heart and good character and essential to being a great athlete.

  1. Leadership & Humility

Leadership purveys every aspect of our lives.  A great leader has the ability to bring people together, serve excellently, and show others what it takes to succeed.  Leaders also know that leading requires some following and humility.  Everyone has a boss.  In sports, it is the captain of the team, the coach, general manager, owner, or league commissioner.  In life, we all have those we look up to, follow, and respect, whether by choice or default.  Not every player or person for that matter is going to lead troops across the Potomac River like George Washington, but a leader should know when to lead through service and humility.

  1. Skill & Performance

In a profession where statistical performance on the court is everything, skill (those God-given abilities) and the hard work refining and attempting to perfect those skills through practice and in-game experience results in performance, whether bad, good, or great.  Skill is what the coach, commentator, scout, fan, and spectator notice first.  Performance is the result.  A great athlete must have both skill and performance, the proof so to speak.

  1. Effort & Competitiveness

We all remember the player who dives for every ball or competes to the last second and always seems to lead or help lead his or her team to victory?  There are some athletes who have the reputation for not needing to try or who make it look easy.  Although skill is great, the athlete who can provide and display consistency and longevity is the one we call great and generally are the most beloved by the people.  Remember, the audience wants to feel two things when watching sports (1) empathy and (2) awe.  Empathy in terms of remembering and comparing to common circumstances of trying and succeeding in our own lives and then being in awe of the greatness of the athlete’s performance.

  1. Community Involvement & Family

Being a role model in statistical performance is just as important as being a role model in your community and with your family.  An athlete’s career lasts an average of 3.5 years in the NFL and slightly longer in other sports.  Being involved in your community and being there for your family and raising other good humans lasts at least your lifetime and of course the lifetimes of those you lead.  Many athletes these days have charities, community projects, scholarship funds, and of course families.  Every athlete and those with more should give back and should be encouraged to do so willingly.

  1. Recognition, Post Career, Accolades, & Business Interests

The hardware.  How many awards did the athlete win?  What did the athlete do post career with their resources and influence?  What additional accolades did the athlete receive?  How is the athlete viewed by experts and non-experts alike?  Is his or her name known among non-sports fans?  How far, wide, and deep does his or her influence go in sports and beyond?  For example, an athlete investing and helping lead a profitable entertainment studio production company, succeeding as a media personality, owning a team, starting a clothing line, etc.

A person with great character leads and leads well.  The people, the voting audience so to speak, love a person with good character, morals, ethics, and sense.  It is why athletes with great character who also carry the hardware are held in such high regard and why we expect so much out of them.  It also why we admire and appreciate their accomplishments.

The best and greatest athletes like the best and greatest leaders leave a mark on our minds and souls.  We remember their triumphs, their failures, and we rise with them in our own lives.  We rise to fight again and empathize with their struggle because it emulates our struggle.

 

Playmakers: Our NFL mid-season, MVP watch

By
Stephen Patrick
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USA Today

We’re eight weeks into the 2018 NFL campaign and there’s been some great football. Huge numbers have posted weekly. With all the rule changes in favor of the offense, records will surely be broken. To that end, SportsRadioAmerica.com examines the top MVP mid-season performers.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

 The second-year pro has been close to flawless in Reid’s spread West Coast offense. When the designed play breaks down, he’s capable of moving out of the pocket and picking up yardage with his legs. There’s almost no way to game plan to stop Patrick Mahomes, especially with the talent he has around him. In the opener, he went for 256 yards and four scores in the Chiefs’ season opener against the Chargers.  Since then, Mahomes has reeled off seven, straight, 300-yard efforts. He’s guided the Chiefs to a 7-1 record. His 2,526 passing yards lead the league. So do his 26 touchdown passes. Those 26 scores over the first nine starts of his career are the most by a NFL quarterback. He has four touchdown passes in each of his last three games. Right now, he’s on pace for more than 5,000 passing yards, 52 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

After leading the NFL in yards and touchdowns from scrimmage with 2,093 and 19 TD’s in 2017, Todd Gurley’s on pace to blow those numbers out of the water. Through the first half of the season, he has 1,151 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns. He leads the league with 169 carries, 800 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. The best player on the best team will always be in the MVP debate. He’s also provided value as a receiver out of the backfield. It’s Gurley’s combination of vision, speed and power that sets him apart from other running backs. And, in a quarterback-driven league, it’s Gurley who has been that one, transcendent player. In an era where the running back is seen as devalued, he’s also been as valuable to his team as any non-quarterback can be. 

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

The old vet is still up to his old tricks. Drew Brees has shown few signs of decline this season. As the catalyst behind the Saints’ best start in five years at 6-1, he leads the NFL in passing efficiency (121.3) and completion percentage (77.3). He’d be a sentimental favorite as one of the greatest players in NFL history to never win the MVP award, yet he’s having one of the best seasons of his career. He has a personal-best passer rating of 118.2. He just threw his first interception of the season Sunday night, compared with 14 touchdown passes. Brees is on pace for 4,549 yards, 32 touchdowns, two interceptions and an astonishing completion percentage of 77.4. He just set the NFL record for single-season completion percentage last year at 72.0. For him to bring that up 5% is outstanding. That’s almost 8/10 on his passes. 

Big showdowns ahead for college football playoff teams

By
Stephen Patrick
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USA Today

Now that the college football playoffs have been revealed and played out as anticipated, we’re now deep into conference play. Going into the stretch run of the season, SportsRadioAmerica.com examines the toughest games left that could ruin the top four teams’ playoff connections.  

NO. 1 ALABAMA: AT NO. 3 LSU (NOV. 3)

It’s finally time for Alabama to play worthy competition. The Roll Tide haven’t been challenged thus far en route to an 8–0 record. They haven’t had quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throw a fourth-quarter pass as he seems like a lock for the Heisman. Looking at LSU’s defense, that’s surely to change. LSU has the playmakers at all three level of the defense, as safeties Grant Delpit and John Battle have combined for eight interceptions. They should make Tagovailoa’s life somewhat difficult. LSU is coming off impressive wins over Georgia and Mississippi State. Both teams have been preparing for this game for two weeks. It’ll be rocking in Death Valley under the primetime lights.

NO. 2 CLEMSON: AT NO. 22 BOSTON COLLEGE (NOV. 10)

The unbeaten Clemson Tigers haven’t been untouchable in 2018 as they’ve been in the past. The Crimson Tide’s lone win by fewer than four touchdowns was a 22-point victory over a Texas A&M team Clemson beat by two.  Clemson also narrowly escaped Syracuse at home on an afternoon when quarterback Trevor Lawrence left with an injury. The Boston College Eagles are in the College Football Playoff Rankings for the first time in the current era. They have a dominating defense that leads the league in sacks and interceptions. Boston College has a powerful running game highlighted by A.J. Dillon, the ACC’s leading rusher.

NO. 3 LSU: AT NO. 20 TEXAS A&M (NOV. 24)

Obviously, Alabama is LSU’s toughest opponent. We’ve already discussed LSU vs Alabama, so we turn to LSU’s second toughest game. Regardless of what happens on Saturday, the Tigers should have no problem with Arkansas and Rice. Texas A&M is 4–1 at home with that loss coming on a failed, two-point conversion against the Clemson Tigers. Quarterback Kellen Mond and running back Trayveon Williams are a potent duo for Jimbo Fisher. Also, Kellen Mond has Jace Sternberger, who might be the nation’s best tight end.

NO. 4 NOTRE DAME: AT NORTHWESTERN (NOV. 3)

The Fighting Irish must win to secure a playoff spot. They’re one slip-up away from likely being on the outside. Notre Dame has tough games coming up against Northwestern and USC. The Trojans have more talent than Northwestern, but aren’t living up to that talent. They’re reeling with two, straight losses and a play-calling change. Several factors make Northwestern the choice here. The Wildcats have won four in a row heading into Saturday, including wins over Michigan State and Wisconsin. This team, especially their defense, is improving as the year progresses, which bodes well for NU’s Big Ten West aspirations.

Turf War: Battle for the SEC mounts

By
Stephen Patrick
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Benny Snell, Jr. USA Today

The battle for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will likely be decided this weekend, with a most anticipated meeting Saturday between Alabama and Louisiana State University.

The skirmish in Death Valley between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 LSU will directly impact the college football playoffs. While LSU is the 2-2, all-time favorite in this match-up, Alabama opens as the two-touchdown favorite on the road. In Lexington, No. 6 Georgia is also a double-digit road favorite over No. 11 Kentucky. It’s the biggest game in UK football history!

Alabama analyzed

Alabama finally has an efficient passing game to complement their run game and defense. The Tide’s been rolling with lopsided scores. They lead the nation in passing efficiency (226.29) and yards-per-pass attempt (13.11) ranked fifth with 2,779 yards.

The scariest part of their offense is the fact they rarely need to utilize the passing game at all. Heisman Trophy leader QB Tua Tagovailoa has played only minimally in the 4th quarter.  Tagovailoa has thrown 25 touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

That school called “DBU”

Alabama’s offense takes aim at “Defensive Back University” (a.k.a. Louisiana State University). DBU is so nicknamed due to the numerous NFL talent they produce from that position. Their current class is on par with the greats of the program. Cornerback Greedy Williams is projected to be a high first-round draft choice if he leaves DBU early to go pro after this season.

Safety Grant Delpit is arguably the best player on LSU’s defense this season. The biggest sidebar story is linebacker Devin White, who was suspended Oct. 20 following a questionable targeting call. He won’t be playing the first two quarters of Saturday’s game, but against this Alabama offense, LSU needs every advantage they can get.

A purrfect storm

In the most consequential football game ever played at Kroger Field, the University of Kentucky faces Georgia with SEC East Division title and a berth in the SEC Championship Game on the line.

UK has never won the East or played in the SEC title game. The Wildcats are looking to make what would be their first-ever trip to the Big Dance. Head Coach Mark Stoops has finally fulfilled the potential he believed the program could have when he signed the dotted line.

After a poor game (16-of-34, two interceptions, three sacks) in Georgia’s loss against LSU, quarterback Jake Fromm bounced back with 240 passing yards in what was described as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”

LSU beat then No. 9 Florida last Saturday in Jacksonville. Fromm, a sophomore, is now 19-3 as Georgia’s starting QB.

UK’s main factor is Benny Snell, Jr. He leads the SEC in rushing (935 yards), but has been held below 100 yards in two of the past three games. From the Florida game and South Carolina in the first half, the UK offensive front controlled the line of scrimmage.

In the second half, Kentucky’s running attack has not been able to consistently open holes for Snell and the Cats offense has suffered. To upset Georgia, the UK offensive line must give Snell more room to run.

Connecting People by Connecting Brands

By
Jeremy Evans
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Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Whether you are building a brand, business, or practice, here are the five rules to success of connecting people by connecting brands.

  1. Increase your reach through distribution deals

Unless you are paying for advertising through a social media push or traditional model, you are only going to reach the people that you know.  Where the list of people that you know is limited especially for non-celebrities and non-influencers, you will need help distributing your content.  Information is content and it needs to have assistance moving across the web and social media.  This is why engagement is so important, i.e., people liking, sharing, and commenting on your posts (content, information, etc.).

To reach more people, find a partner with a larger audience than you and utilize their distribution list to share content and to drive engagement.

  1. Diversify your audience through existing and new partners

Again, you only know who you know, or in social media language, you only engage will who follows you.  If you want more types of people, industries, locations, opinions, backgrounds, etc., you need existing and new partners to increase you reach.  A distribution, event, limited, or full partner might do the trick.  Before making a decision, know your business, the industry, but also be honest, transparent, and cherish relationships.  This article via The Hollywood Reporter, although a different topic, has some great insight and points regarding partnership-relationships.

  1. Consistency in distributing and sharing

A “flash in the pan” is defined as a thing or person whose sudden, but brief success is not repeated or repeatable.  Do not be that person or business.  During the California Gold Rush, being shiny and new was great, but fleeting and often fool’s gold.  Rather, be consistent and steady, but innovative.  The story is long for success and follows years of hard work.  This author consistently has to be reminded that patience is a virtue.  People will connect and follow you when they see consistency.

  1. Realize what the customer needs and wants

Sometimes the price is too high.  Sometime people do not like what you are selling.  Sometimes you need to “pivot,” as the business folks say, to find where your customers are, what they want, when they want it, how it arrives, and why they need or want it.  Analytics, data, and customer information and trends can help with the aforementioned; Google Analytics and Nielsen are great resources and are generally free.  Be willing to change, but again realize that sustainable business is built over time, not created immediately.

  1. Learn from your mistakes

Connecting brands to reach people can be a powerful tool.  However, like all relationships, there are growing pains.  Learn from your mistakes and grow with your partners and make sure your partners make sense as partners.  Then, negotiate a good deal by knowing where your leverage is strongest and weakest.

Southern Comfort: Alabama could have the best team in NCAA history

By
J.T. Clifton
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USA TODAY- Tua Tagovailoa

It’s just too easy this year.

Alabama already has a couple of the best college football teams of all time. They rank up there with the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, 2005 Texas Longhorns and 2008 Florida Gators. But, this year’s team is a different animal altogether. The reason? Tua Tagovailoa.

Under Nick Saban, Alabama has always had a sled-full of defensive players who are going to make it to the next level. Most years, they’ve bolstered some of the best defensive lines and secondaries in the country. Their linebackers aren’t too shabby, either, with players like Rueben Foster and Rashad Evans. They’ve produced running back after running back with T.J. Yeldon, Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry to name a few. The receivers have held their own with Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones. The one thing they’ve never had is a true NFL quarterback.

USA TODAY

Welcome to 2018. I was in attendance for the Alabama vs. Tennessee game, and Tua is better in person than on TV, and that’s hard to do. Start with the fact he’s a lot bigger than he looks on TV. He has a NFL quarterback’s frame. He carries himself with composure, no matter how pressure-filled the situation (I’m going back to the National Championship game of 2017, since he hasn’t played in the 4th quarter yet this year). And, the throws he makes are unbelievable.

For instance, there was a play in the Tennessee game where he was chased to his left, turned his shoulders and delivered a perfect ball to a receiver almost on the far right sideline about 25 yards downfield in between two defenders. At that point, what can the defense do? The answer is, nothing, save hopefully sack him.

Tagovailoa makes Alabama a different team. He finishes each team off by early in the 3rd quarter and most of the time, they’re realistically done by the 2nd. He doesn’t let the team start slow. They’ve scored on 7 of 7 1st drives.

This week could be the first real test for the Tide all year as they go into Baton Rouge and play a red-hot LSU team. The Tigers smoked what appeared to be Alabama’s only competition (Georgia) earlier this season.

For the Tigers to pull off this upset, they’ll need to start fast. This team is not built to play from behind, especially against the Tide who’ll eat them if they know their opponent is forced to pass the ball. If Alabama gets through this game easily, I don’t see any team challenging them all year, including the National Championship Game. This team will go down as the greatest team of all time!

Brown Going Down: Steelers’ game kiss of death for Browns’ coaches

By
J.T. Clifton
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USA TODAY - Jackson and Mayfield

Just like the last six.

On Monday, the Browns parted ways with Hue Jackson. Jackson had been head coach since 2016 and boasted  a 3 – 36 record. It comes as no shock, though, because this is the sixth, straight Cleveland Browns coach who’s been let go after the second game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With a record of 2-5-1, Cleveland has been more competitive this year,  but not competitive enough for the Browns’ brass. It’s reported owner Jimmy Haslam wanted to cut bait with offensive coordinator Todd Haley which would have saved Jackson’s job for now, but GM John Dorsey wanted to move on. In the end, they both got their wish as Todd Haley has also been fired. However, Jackson was under contract until 2019, so the Browns owe him through the 2019 season.

It seems like a never-ending cycle for the Browns. Annually, it seems, they either have a new quarterback or new coach. There’s no stability in the organization and that makes it very, very risky for free agents to sign with them. Jarvis Landry took a leap of faith and signed on, but that’s really the only big free agent they’ve landed in a while. Their only other big FA acquisition, Carlos Hyde, was surprisingly traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

USA TODAY – Baker Mayfield

It’s time for the Browns to stick with someone for four years at the quarterback and head coach positions. They have their man in Baker Mayfield, so they need to go out and get a head coach and stick with those two for at least four years. The constant change in the organization is becoming laughable. What QB will the Browns ruin next? How long until the head coach is fired? The Browns are a running joke in the NFL.

The season is over for them already, so now it’s time to look to the draft. They appear to have hit on Baker and fellow first round pick Denzel Ward. The trade of Hyde appears they’re  clearing the path for Nick Chubb, so now it’s time to get another weapon and shore up the line. They need a big time wide receiver. Landry is a good possession receiver, but he’s not the guy to go to when you need a big play.

Baker is the quarterback of the future, so protect him. I say draft a OL in the first round. The Browns have Chubb, so draft a back who complements him. Duke Johnson is obviously not going to get that done, so they should part ways with him, too. They have a young defense led by Ward and Garrett. A linebacker would fit in nicely, improving an already stout defense.

Yes, it’s time for stability in Cleveland; even if that means being down for a while.

Heisman Hopefuls: Here’s who to watch this year

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

The battle for Heisman glory is rapidly narrowing to three hopefuls. Here are Sports Radio America’s picks.

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Any concerns by Crimson Tide fans Tua Tagovailoa’s play might be hindered by his sprained right knee were quickly put to rest after Alabama’s 58-21 beatdown on Tennesseee Saturday. 

Last week saw another Heisman-worthy performance from Tagovailoa. He completed 19 of  29 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. He’s up to 25 touchdown passes on the year without tossing a single interception. That’s not a typo, the man has zero interceptions.

Tagovailoa is on a record-setting pace for efficiency held prior by last year’s Heisman Trophy Award winner Baker Mayfield. Through eight starts, his rating is 238.8, nearly 40 points higher than Mayfield. Tagovailoa hasn’t played in a fourth quarter all year but his services might finally be needed for a full game. Alabama travels to No. 4 LSU after its bye that has college football implications.  

2. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners bounced back from their only loss of the season with a blowout of TCU 52-27 in Fort Worth. Kyler Murray lead the effort in the victory with 213 yards and four touchdown passes. During the game, he completed 19 of 24 passing attempts, increasing his completion percentage on the year to 72.3 percent, which 4th best in the country.

If Tagovailoa wasn’t playing, Murray’s efficiency would be on par to his predecessor, Mayfield. Murray still put up huge numbers in the loss against Texas. Like Tagovailoa, Murray (224.9) is well ahead of Mayfield’s record for QB rating in a season (198.9). Murray is tied with Tagovailoa for No. 3 nationally with 25 touchdown passes. His 428 rushing yards are 13th-most among QBs. There is still a shot for Murray if we wins out and Alabama has trouble against LSU and the SEC Championship.

3. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Ohio State still has a chance at the college football playoffs, but their defense let them down Saturday. Dwayne Haskins completed 49 passes for 470 yards, but it wasn’t enough for Ohio State to get past Purdue. The Buckeyes inability to run the football were exposed in the 49-20 loss and the defense without defensive end Nick Bosa showed flaws. Other than a bad interception, it was no fault of Haskins. He set OSU records for completions and passing yards while topping the 400 yard mark for the third straight game.

Haskins threw the ball a ridiculous 73 times. But, he couldn’t make plays in the red zone. OSU made five trips to the red zone and the Buckeyes came away with just six points. His two touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter with Purdue maintaining a comfortable advantage.

Those two scores gave him 30 for the season. That total, like his 2,801 yards, is No. 1 in the country. His 71.1 completion percentage (on 315 attempts), ranks sixth. But, with a bad loss to Purdue, his Heisman campaign looks shut even with the great overall year he’s had.

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