The Portland Buckeyes

The Buckeyes head to Champaign Saturday to take on the undefeated Fighting Illini, ranked #16 in the nation. I smell an upset. Gamewatch at Blitz Ladd starts at 12:30 PM PST. See you there.

Here are thoughts from our guest columnist Matt Johnson on the game:

OSU vs. Illinois

Tressels and Fickells,

I know Ohio State football has been put in a bad position this season…got it…but, sometimes you have to show a little heart.

This was supposed to be the week where I demonstrated that everything about Ohio State football relates back to Star Wars; citing examples from the original trilogy. But, the disappointing loss in Lincoln necessitated that I change my plan. So, you’ll just have to wait for that riveting expose…or, as some may call it, gibberish.

The other losses this year were tough to take, but this one was really unacceptable. There’s no other way to label it. I want to place blame somewhere, or on someone..or something, but that would be unfair.

I accepted the fact that Miami ran right over Ohio State before the OSU defense even broke a sweat. The offense was horrific all night, so any deficit was too steep to overcome. The defense stablized, but the outcome of the game was never really in question.

I accepted the fact that Ohio State was nearly shutout at home against Michigan State; something that had not happened in 28 years. Haley’s comet came through more recently…and Dimtirous Stanley wore khakis. The offense was beyond anemic proving it’s tough to compete with a freshman QB in the Big Ten…and at no moment during that game did I think Ohio State would win. If they had won, it would have been an injustice.

But, this was completely different. Amazingly, against Nebraska, Ohio State should have won…all it would have taken was even an ounce of pride. The last 22 minutes of that game was gutless. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Everyone folded…the defense, the offense, the coaching staff…everyone.

Yes, maybe Darth Pryor screwed us…but, one fumble recovery was all it took for the team to decide they were done. Terrelle did not lose that game, this year’s team handed it to Nebraska. For 38 minutes, there were no suspension-skeletons or injury-ghosts looming over Memorial Stadium; this year’s team was able to essentially thrash the Cornhuskers on the road at night…and look like the well-prepared, hard-hitting team that I root for. In a split second, it was all gone. The last time I’ve seen an OSU game take as dramatic a turn, Keith Byars lost his shoe on one of five rushing touchdowns at Illinois in 1984. The good guys were on the winning end that day…just one season after the last home shutout.

This team is trying my patience. The guys on the field should have been able to win the Nebraska game. It was no longer about those no longer here, it was about those who are here. It was no longer about Tressel’s “misdeeds”…or Eddie Rife…or Bobby DiGeronimo…or the NCAA’s “witch hunt”…or ESPN’s “OSU-hatred.” All of those burdens, real or imagined, were lifted and this team could have seized one moment that was truly theirs. But, they decided to pack it in and quit on their moment.

I won’t let this team continue to hide behind all the mustn’ts, don’ts, shouldn’ts, impossibles and won’ts. (Sorry, Shel.) I no longer care about what has happened or is yet to come. This team needs to have a little pride and start winning some games right now.

Touchdowns: Boom, Bradley Roby

OSU 20 Illinois 17

Go Bucks! Beat Illinois! Zach Boren for Heisman!

Grande Pa

Boom Herron, DeVier Posey, and with offensive lineman Marcus Hall have been suspended for the Nebraska game this Saturday. Please don’t utter “it can’t get any….”, it can.

Read more at ESPN >>

Michigan State heads into Columbus to test Ohio State  in Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium. Kick off is at 12:30 pm PST. See you at the Blitz!

Buckeyes,

Portland area TV will not televise the Buckeye’s game today at 4:00pm PDX time so rush down to The Blitz to watch the game!

Looking for the perfect place to watch the Buckeyes take on Tennessee in the NCAA Basketball Tournament? Come watch the game with The Portland Buckeyes at Blitz Ladd!

Tip off is tonight at 4:07 PM PST, and I don’t know about you, but I think these Buckeyes have got a great chance to continue this run!

Blitz is family friendly and Buckeye friendly.

Blitz Ladd
2239 SE 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

(503) 236-3592
blitzpdx.com

In early February, the Alumni Association and the university came to an agreement that opens the door for a closer relationship between the two organizations.

The first question we heard from many alumni was: “You mean you weren’t already a part of the university?” The answer to that question is: Officially? No. In our organizational mission? Yes. The Alumni Association has existed for more than 130 years to serve the university and its accomplished alumni. The only real distinction is that as a separate non-profit entity, the Association has been a largely self-supporting organization funded primarily by member dues.

The next question we received was perhaps the most natural one: “What is going to change for me?” I want to re-emphasize that the commitments alumni made to us via membership dues will be honored.  It would not be right for us to take away things that have been promised, and we have no intention of doing that.

This brings me to the third common question, “OK, so why make this change now?”

For starters, I can say that much thought and effort went into considering all aspects of the change. A joint university and Alumni Association task force led by our former board chair, Bill Lhota, and former board member, Tami Longaberger, spent many months studying best practices in alumni engagement at leading public and private universities. The task force adopted the best elements they saw in their final recommendations. It was important that we give careful consideration to make certain the change would result in a win for all parties involved.

Ultimately, we decided to make the move. Two important reasons factored in the decision.

One, there is nothing to be lost by strengthening our relationship in the university. (more…)

What an incredible first day of March Madness!!!!!!

Come join the gang for happy hour at The Blitz and watch the #2 seeded Buckeye’s open their bid to win the NCAA National Championship!! Tip-off is Friday @ 6:45pm PDX time so come down and drink some 3 day old green beer (or some really good fresh Micro’s) and root the Buckeyes to vistory!!

The Blitz is located at:

The Blitz Bar
2239 SE 11th Ave.
Blitz Ladd
(Corner of S.E. 11th and SE Sherman)

GameTime Programs has the official game programs from the 2010 Rose Bowl game, commemorating the Buckeyes win over Oregon from their New Year’s Day bowl game. Buckeye alum and fans can have a great souvenir from the 2010 Rose Bowl, even if they didn’t go to the game! Cost is only $15 (including shipping)….but you must enter promo code: BUCKEYES, to receive this discounted price. To order or for more information, go to gametimeprograms.com.

Tressels,

This is the space where all my Ohio State Rose Bowl memories would go.

It would include recent images of Rose Bowl heroes breaking historic touchdowns that we’ve all seen replayed over and over. It would include stories about how the whole room erupted when such-and-such made the key interception to end the game. Or, how we always make that special good-luck appetizer for January 1st. Maybe, it would even include tales from a trip or two out to Pasadena. I’d also have those heartache moments that fill out the drama and keep you coming back. Hated Pac-10 rivals, players I can’t stand, bad-luck TVs and remorseful “if-only” plays.

I’ve always viewed the Rose Bowl as the pinnacle. It is the ultimate game in the only sport worthy of complete devotion – and always will be. But, my Buckeye-related Rose Bowl memories are mostly of one single game. Germaine to Boston and all the moments that preceeded and followed. Outstanding, but pretty limited.

I wish I experienced all the historic Rose Bowl games of the past.

Jan. 1st, 1955: Ohio State 20 Southern Cal 7…Woody’s first National Championship.

Jan. 1st, 1969: Ohio State 27 Southern Cal 16…the Super Sophs become legendary.

Four straight for Archie.

The first line I wrote this year prior to the Navy season opener was — I don’t know about you, but I’ve been ready for uncertainty and it’s finally here. In a season where the motto at the outset was “embracing uncertainty,” my Rose Bowl memories will be doubled within 48 hours. I’m so excited — I’m going to wear a Buckeye jersey and white headband with “EARLE” written across the front into the office tomorrow.

Twelve games later, I’m a lot more certain now…and I believe in this team at this point in time. Spare me all of the recent bowl game futility counters. Got it. Well aware.

Different team, different situation.

Late this season, there definitely has been something refreshing about this group of Buckeyes. After the Purdue debacle, they’ve played like a team. By the time they headed into Ann Arbor, they were limping to the finish. But, they found a way to win out in November and get to Pasadena. Forty days later, it sounds as if all the key players who have been injured at some point this season — Terrelle, Boom, Brandon, Justin Boren, Brewster, Ross Homan, Hines, Larimore, Pettrey, Cordle — are more healthy than they have been for some time.

Different team, different situation. (more…)

The Rose Bowl:  No. 7 Oregon  vs. No. 8 Ohio State
When: 2 p.m., Jan. 1
Where: Blitz Ladd, 2239 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

I can’t speak for all of you, but to me, this is the most important game in the history of  The Portland Buckeyes. Even though the Bucks are 7-0 against the Ducks, Oregon hasn’t had any “fans” until now. With how seldom this matchup is, a win for local bragging rights is huge.  I don’t know about you, but I would like to be the one who gets to brag. We need all of you to come out for the Grandaddy Gamewatch at Blitz.

Let’s. Do. This.