In spite of an offensive performance that generated 42 points, it was the defense that set the tone early and sustained its intensity throughout Saturday’s Ohio State victory.

After a Terrelle Pryor interception gave Michigan possession at Ohio State’s 13-yard line, the Buckeye defense responded.

“With that kind of swing in momentum, you have to have the intensity and enthusiasm to swing it back,” cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said.

From Michigan’s first snap, the defense’s fire was evident.

Away from the play, after the whistle, Jenkins shed his blocker and threw him to the ground. Two plays later, linebacker James Laurinaitis came untouched around the right side and planted Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan into the turf. Sheridan’s third down pass floated harmlessly to the ground, as did UM’s ensuing field goal try.

“We’re never cautious when we go out there,” Jenkins said. “We just go after the quarterback and make some things happen.”

The sense of urgency apparent on that first drive persisted and yielded the Wolverines’ few scoring opportunities later in the game.

Michigan converted just one of 14 third down attempts and failed to register a first down until 8:21 remained in the second quarter.

“After we got a three-and-out, we weren’t coming to the sidelines saying that was a great job,” defensive tackle Nader Abdallah said. “We were worried about the next play, about the next series.”

Tressel, ever-conscious of field position, placed great emphasis on getting the defense off the field in a hurry.

“Defensively, we’d like to say that if you get three or four three-and-outs, that’s like a turnover,” Tressel said.

Small’s redemption

Much maligned wide receiver Ray Small fell eight yards short of absolute redemption. Small, in his return to the lineup after a two-game suspension, showed the burst that has for so long been dormant.

Fielding the ball at the Buckeyes’ 12-yard line, Small found a seam to the sideline and staggered toward the endzone before being hauled down at the Michigan eight-yard line.

Small, in spite of the vindication a touchdown would have brought, handled things in stride.

“He was real light-hearted about it,” fellow punt returner Brian Hartline said. “When he hit that corner after he almost got tackled, his legs got so heavy and he just couldn’t finish it off.”

The return came tantalizingly close to dignifying the dedication that Hartline believes Small has shown throughout this trying season.

“He’s done an extremely great job with keeping his mindset,” Hartline said. “He’s had some difficulties but when he’s been around, he hasn’t been causing any problems with us. He’s done a great job being a friend and teammate with everybody in the locker room.”

Coach Jim Tressel, who has been at the forefront of criticism from the Small camp, recognized the importance of the play.

“I thought Ray Small’s return was huge,” Tressel said. “I don’t remember what the score was at the time, but that was a huge return.”

Small’s return came with the Buckeyes leading by 14, at a time when Michigan’s offense still appeared to have a pulse. Brian Robiskie scored on the next play to eliminate any uncertainty regarding the outcome.

Small was unavailable for comment after the game.

Special teams

In addition to the “Tressel turnovers” generated by three-and-outs, Ohio State recovered two fumbles, both on special teams.

The performance complemented A.J. Trapasso’s outing, who, in spite of a few shaky punts in the first quarter, forced Michigan to play from deep in its own end the entire second half.

“Whenever you have that kind of dominance on special teams, that’s the X-factor in the game,” Jenkins said.

James Pallitto can be reached at [email protected].