Right after the Ohio State Buckeyes won the national championship, rumors started running rampant about the future of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
In the aftermath of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ narrow 32-31 loss to the Oregon Ducks on October 12, 2024, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles faced intense scrutiny. The defeat, marked by significant defensive lapses, led to candid admissions from Knowles about the unit’s shortcomings. He acknowledged, “Got to do a better job coaching. That’s it. That’s the bottom line. We didn’t make enough plays. I didn’t think we were outstanding in any area.”
The Buckeyes’ defense, which had been formidable throughout the season, allowing less than 340 yards in 11 of their previous 13 games, was uncharacteristically porous against Oregon. The Ducks amassed 496 total yards, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel accounting for 341 yards through the air. This performance was reminiscent of past defensive struggles, notably the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia, where Ohio State conceded 398 passing yards.
A significant portion of Oregon’s offensive success stemmed from explosive plays. The Ducks recorded eight plays exceeding 20 yards, six of which were passes. Notably, top cornerback Denzel Burke was targeted on a 69-yard pass to wide receiver Evan Stewart and a 48-yard touchdown to Tez Johnson. In response to Burke’s challenges, Knowles offered support, stating, “I would just tell him he’s a great player and that we love him. He knows and they all know all the bad plays go on me.”
The secondary’s performance was particularly concerning, given that four of five starters returned from a unit that previously boasted the nation’s top pass defense. The addition of highly-touted transfer Caleb Downs at free safety further raised expectations. However, Gabriel’s efficient 23-of-34 passing and two touchdowns without interceptions exposed vulnerabilities. Knowles remarked, “We knew that he’s a really good quarterback. What we had didn’t work, so we certainly need to evaluate that whole process and plan.”
Beyond coverage issues, the Buckeyes’ pass rush was notably ineffective. The defense failed to record a single sack against Oregon, with only two quarterback hits by JT Tuimoloau. This lack of pressure allowed Gabriel ample time to exploit the secondary. Additionally, the defense managed just two tackles for loss, a stark contrast to their previous performances where they consistently recorded at least five per game.
The run defense also faced challenges. Oregon’s running back, Jordan James, accumulated 115 yards on 23 carries, including a notable 25-yard run. Gabriel further compounded the defense’s woes with a 27-yard rushing touchdown, highlighting issues in containing mobile quarterbacks.
Linebacker Cody Simon emphasized the need for better preparation against high-tempo offenses, stating, “As a defense, we just have to be more ready for everything. We’ve just got to have more urgency.”
The loss to Oregon underscored persistent issues that have plagued the Buckeyes in high-stakes games. Despite improvements under Knowles, the defense has struggled with giving up big plays in critical moments. Reflecting on the season, Knowles admitted, “Anytime a play goes bad, I always want to critique myself on the call on that play in that situation. You know, if I had it back, blah, blah, blah, what would I do? Those are the things that keep me up.”
As the Buckeyes move forward, the focus remains on addressing these defensive lapses. The upcoming bye week offers a crucial opportunity for introspection and adjustment. Knowles emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We got to practice better. We got to coach better. Our players are certainly good enough to win that game. We talked about winning it on defense, but we didn’t get the job done.”
The path ahead is clear: rectify the defensive issues to ensure the team can compete at the highest level and avoid repeating past mistakes.
