Coombs responds to criticism after Oregon loss

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Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs leaves the field before the Ohio State-Oregon game. On September 11, Ohio State lost 28-35. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo editor

Questions have surrounded the Buckeyes and their defensive plan after allowing more than 300 passing yards per game last season, the most in the Big Ten Conference.

Even more uncertainty loomed after Ohio State surrendered 464 yards to Mac Jones and No.1 Alabama after losing the national championship game in January. The glaring problem became more serious after the Buckeyes gave Oregon No.12 505 yards of total offense on 230 both on the ground and in the air.

Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs faced the music after Saturday’s loss. In the first fan-packed game at Ohio Stadium in nearly two years, the Buckeyes’ defense allowed the Ducks to run and throw in a frenzy, shattering a 26-game winning streak at home.

I’m disappointed. That’s how I feel, said Coombs. I hate to lose, I hate it with a passion. You don’t come to Ohio State to get beaten up. You don’t come to Ohio State to get beaten up in the shoe, so I’m disappointed.

According to Coombs and head coach Ryan Day, Oregon put together a cracked offensive plan against Ohio states man-to-man coverage and the Ducks overloaded one side of the field. From there the Buckeyes left the gap open and Oregon capitalized.

Coombs said the Buckeyes didn’t expect the Ducks to attack limit and perimeter as much as they did. Overall, Oregon has averaged nearly seven yards per game.

Coombs said it was his responsibility to diagnose touchdown play and use appropriate leverage to counter opposing techniques. It’s his job, he said, and he took full responsibility for the results.

Anything that happens on a Saturday that could go better defensively will be my responsibility, Coombs said. We are actively working on each set as we step off the sideline to make adjustments and changes and do it appropriately. Again, it is my responsibility. It’s frustrating when it doesn’t.

Oregon junior running back CJ Verdell had three touchdowns on his own and covered 161 yards, exploding for 77 yards on the third offensive shot of the second half. The Ducks have completed eight plays of 15 or more passing yards and six rushes over 10 rushing yards.

More than 20 different Buckeyes were credited with at least one tackle on Saturday, but Coombs said he doesn’t think too many players are engaging in the action.

He also added that the standard of the Buckeyes’ defense is excellence and that he is comfortable with the scheme used.

I think the defensive structure that has been put in place has been successful and that a lot of people are really comfortable with, said Coombs. I think we have to run; we have to prepare; we have to do a good job so that our kids are in the right places to make the right parts. I will own it all.

Ohio State experienced similar issues in Minnesota in Week 1. The Golden Gophers both threw and ran for over 200 yards, but the Buckeyes’ offense topped the Minnesota defense for 45. points in just 48 games. A defensive touchdown on the scoop and Garretts’ score also helped, especially since Ohio State didn’t force a turnaround against Oregon.

Day said he and the coaching staff will review the match film to find any issues to correct and that ultimately the final decisions on the pitch are up to him.

I think we were still very, very talented and we still did a lot of good things, said Day. We made some good saves, but it wasn’t good enough. I think in terms of eliminating explosive games that’s what we want to do with this style of defense. If not, it means that the defense was not executed correctly.

Senior linebacker Teradja Mitchell, who was with the squad in their last regular season loss to Purdue in 2018, said he felt a huge responsibility to help the Buckeyes bounce back from the loss. Despite criticism of how Ohio state defense works, Mitchell said the driving force to improve lies with every player.

The ploy is the ploy, but at the end of the day, there has to be a desire, Mitchell said. We had to constantly strive to improve and we were going to get there for sure. Everyone must be willing to buy and be able to do it well.

Since joining Ohio State ahead of the 2020 season, Coombs has faced great skepticism about the Buckeyes’ defense performance.

To skeptics and critics alike, Coombs acknowledged them by saying he was ultimately responsible for defense. He said he did not take his role lightly and assured opponents that we would improve.

Having the opportunity to coach Ohio State football in that role is a blessing, Coombs said. I don’t think there is any question that we have to do things differently in the future. Obviously, the result today is not acceptable. We have to do things differently.

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