A week after the Ohio State offense had a slow start against Wisconsin, running back Dan “Boom” Herron made sure the team got going early Saturday against Purdue.
“We definitely wanted to get out there, get on top and get some momentum,” Herron said. “It was an honor to carry the load on the first drive.”
The Buckeyes handed the ball to Herron on their first five plays from scrimmage, piling up 45 yards and a touchdown for a 7-0 OSU lead.
“I think ‘Boom’ got us started, which ‘Boom’ has that ability to electrify the huddle and the room when he walks in it,” coach Jim Tressel said.
Fullback Zach Boren indicated the success was not because of diversity of play selection. The team ran only two different plays on that drive, he said.
“It was good play-calling,” Boren said. “We were going for it, and it worked.”
Herron also liked the decision-making.
“I think guys just kind of got in the groove of things, running the same play,” he said. “You know, if it works, we are going to keep on running it.”
After their second drive saw three pass plays result in an OSU punt, the Buckeyes returned to the run game on their third possession. It paid off, as Herron once again found the end zone. He finished the day with 16 rushes for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Establishing the run was essential to success later in the game.
“I think our offensive staff just wanted to get kind of a flow before we started putting the offensive line in difficult situations,” Tressel said. “The fact that the flow then worked gave you a chance to be balanced.”
Starting with “the run really helped,” wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. “The more we feel comfortable running the ball, the more it helps.”
Herron was quick to share the praise for the success on the ground.
“I really don’t talk about myself, it’s a team thing,” he said. “I really couldn’t do it without the offensive line over there.”
Boren agreed the offensive line was important.
“We were coming off the line and hitting someone,” he said. “The offensive line was creating huge holes for us, which … enabled us to get to the next level.”
It has been Herron reaching that level more often than not for the Buckeyes, as he has led the team in carries the past five games. But he seemed reluctant to be referred to as the team’s featured runner.
“I just try to get guys going and try to be a leader out there,” Herron said. “If that’s what everybody wants to say, I’m the feature back, I’ll take that.”
