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As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, well, you can't get fooled again.

This applies to one of the very few shot plays that the Ohio State Buckeyes tried to dial up on Saturday night in Indianapolis against the Indiana Hoosiers. 

At the beginning of the third quarter, the Buckeyes punched the ball into Indiana territory, just across the 50-yard line, and found themselves in prime spot to take a shot. With a 1st and 10 from the Indiana 44, Ohio State came out in 13 personnel (1RB and 3TES). They lined Jeremiah Smith up tight to the line of scrimmage on the left side. After motioning Bennett Christian to the far left, Smith was in the slot, right where they wanted him.

Sayin snapped the ball and did a half roll to the left. He snapped his hips back right and was looking to take a shot downfield. The protection broke down, and he was sacked on the play.

After watching it, it looked very familiar to a very famous play in Ohio State history. 

A quick search into the archives and we find ourselves in Pasadena, CA, with a 17-0 lead over the Oregon Ducks with the football on the Ducks' 43-yard line. 

Wouldn't you know it, the Buckeyes lined up in the same formation but in 12 personnel (1RB and 2TE) with Smith tight to the formation on the left. Emeka Egbuka went in motion from right to the far left, leaving Smith in the slot, right where they wanted him.

Quarterback Will Howard snapped the football and did a half roll to the left. He snapped his hips back to the right and took a shot downfield. Smith was open by about 20 yards, and the two connected for a touchdown that exploded the Rose Bowl stadium and put the entire country on notice.

So, why did one work and one didn't? What did Ohio State do the same, and what did they change? Finally, is this common in football, or did the Buckeyes go back to the well one too many times?

First, the similarities. The Buckeyes used a similar first and final formation to get the exact matchup they wanted against a one-high safety. They knew in both scenarios that the opponent would play cover three, meaning that Smith would be one on one with the one-high safety.

First Formation

Final Formation

Second, the differences. 

In the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes used an "over" route on the backside and took advantage of a very nosey and aggressive cornerback who abandoned his deep third responsibility, completely vacating the bottom third of the field. 

In the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes used a 12-yard "curl" route to put the Indiana defender in conflict. If he covered the curl, Smith would be open. If he covered him instead, the curl would be open. This is a true "catch-22" that the Buckeyes created.

Both scenarios are likely both gameplan specific and very intentional for the different opponents.

Rose Bowl Over Route

Big Ten Championship Curl

Lastly, the protection is the difference in this play result. Both images are at the decision point for the quarterback. Howard doesn't have a soul within eight yards of him while Sayin is moments away from being sacked. 

Coincidentally, this was guard Tegra Tshabola's final game of the day as he struggled mightily, again for the Buckeyes. 

The Buckeyes hit the big play for the touchdown in the Rose Bowl and likely would have had a big play to Max Klare for a first down against the Hoosiers. This is a good reminder that offense is absolutely a team game. All 11 players need to execute for a play to be successful.

That's really hard to do.

I thought this looked awfully familiar… https://t.co/sKyV2goPgRpic.twitter.com/gf4U5pXnmk

— Anthony Moeglin (@ADMegs_10) December 8, 2025

After I posted this clip, several people commented saying that it was an easy play to stop because the Buckeyes ran it in the past. This is not uncommon for coaches to do. This is a tip of the cap to the Indiana defense for staying disciplined in their coverage and allowing their pass rush to get to the quarterback.

This is also a good lesson to all young cornerbacks to remember to always do your job. Coaches will scheme you up, so whatever your responsibility is, do it. Or else, you will get beat deep for a huge touchdown.

Ohio State needs to find the next wrinkle in their shot play menu and I'm confident that they will.

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