Ohio State Puts No. 1 on Line vs. Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/4/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 4, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 1 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) vs. Illinois (2-3, 1-1)
Game Facts
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1998, 12:10 EDT
Memorial Stadium (70,904; Turf)
Champaign, Ill.
ESPN Regional Television
The Broadcast
TV – ESPN Regional (WBNS 10 TV locally).
Wayne Larrivee, play-by-play; Randy Wright, color analyst
and Jim Barbar, sideline reporter.
Radio – Sports Radio 1460 (AM) The Fan and Oldies B97 (97.1 FM).
Paul Keels, play-by-play; Jim Lachey, color analyst and Jim Karsatos, sideline reporter.
Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach John Cooper, Iowa State ’62 OSU Record 90-32-4 (.730), 11th year Career Record 172-72-6 (.700), 22nd year Record Against Illinois 5-6 (.454) Offensive Coordinator Mike Jacobs Defensive Coordinator Fred Pagac
Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Ron Turner, Pacific ’77 Illinois Record 2-14 (.125), 2nd year Career Record 9-18 (.333), 3rd year Record Against OSU 0-1 (.000) Offensive Coordinator Buddy Teevins Defensive Coordinator Tim Kish
KICKOFF
The Ohio State Buckeyes put their No. 1 national ranking on the line for the fifth time this season as they travel to Champaign, Ill., for a Big Ten Conference matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3; 1-1 Big Ten). Game time Saturday in Memorial Stadium is 12:10 p.m. EDT (11:10 a.m. CDT). This game marks the second road game of the season for the 4-0 Buckeyes, who have a 34-17 win at then-No. 11 West Virginia in week one to their credit. ESPN Regional will televise the contest to the majority of the Midwest (as well as “outside” large markets Washington, D.C., Dallas, Houston, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville and most of the state of Florida) with Wayne Larrivee, Randy Wright and Jim Barbar describing the action.
SETTING THINGS UP
Ohio State carries a 4-0 overall and 1-0 Big Ten Conference record into the game after Saturday’s convincing 28-9 win over No. 7 Penn State in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes’ record includes wins over two additional ranked teams (34-17 over No. 11 West Virginia and 35-13 over No. 21 Missouri). A 49-0 win over Toledo featured lots of second- and third-team playing time. Illinois is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten after its 13-10 win at Northwestern on Saturday, a win that snapped a 15-game Big Ten losing streak for the Illini. Illinois opened its Big Ten campaign with a 37-14 home field loss to Iowa two weeks ago. A 48-20 win over Middle Tennessee State is sandwiched around losses to Washington State (20-13) and Louisville (35-9).
OHIO TV FOOTPRINT
Ohio State vs. Illinois will be televised in Columbus on WBNS 10 TV, and to these stations around the state: WOIO Cleveland, WKRC Cincinnati, WHIO Dayton, WTVG Toledo and WLIO Lima.
RADIO COVERAGE
The game will be broadcast around the state on the 73-station Ohio State Buckeyes Radio Sports Network with Sports Radio 1460 (AM) The Fan the flagship station. Calling the action is first-year play-by-play announcer Paul Keels. He is assisted in the broadcast booth by second-year analyst Jim Lachey. Jim Karsatos will provide sideline commentary.
BUCKEYES ARE NO. 1
Ohio State has held down the No. 1 position in both of the nation’s major polls the entire season. The Buckeyes picked up 18 additional first-place votes and are the consensus No. 1 team in the nation in the Associated Press poll with 66 first-place votes (out of 70) and 1,746 points. Nebraska remains second, despite losing 15 first-place votes, with 1,640 points. No. 3 UCLA and No. 5 Kansas State received one and two first-place votes, respectively. Tennessee is fourth. The Buckeyes received 54 of 62 first place votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll and totalled 1,538 points. Nebraska is second, totalling 1,469 points and six first-place votes. No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 Kansas State each picked up one first-place vote.
A TOUGH OPPONENT
Illinois is one of just two Big Ten Conference teams to have at least a .500 record vs. John Cooper-coached Buckeyes. Over the course of the last 10 years (Cooper is in his 11th year at OSU), Illinois has won six times against four Ohio State wins. The Illini defeated Ohio State five straight times between 1988 and 1992 and then added a 24-10 win over OSU in Ohio Stadium in 1994. Ohio State has won four of the last five meetings with Illinois, including three straight wins by 41-3, 48-0 and 41-6 scores. All-time, the Ohio State has a 55-27-4 advantage in wins over Illinois, including a 28-11 record in games at Champaign. Cooper is 5-6 lifetime vs. Illinois (1-0 at Arizona State).
12-QUARTER TD DROUGHT
Illinois has not scored a touchdown against Ohio State’s defense in the last three games. Last year the defense had pitched a second-consecutive shutout against Illinois, but the Illini scored against the OSU offense on the last play of the game as a fumble by OSU’s fourth-string quarterback was picked up by cornerback Trevor Starghill and returned 36 yards for a TD. Two years ago, in Fred Pagac’s initial season as defensive coordinator, the Buckeyes shut out Illinois, 48-0. And the only Illinois points in the Bucks’ 41-3 win in 1995 was a third-quarter field goal.
700th OHIO STATE WIN
It came in last year’s 41-6 win over Illinois. The Buckeyes are seventh overall with 704 collegiate victories and fourth all-time with a winning percentage of .707. Ohio State enters the Illinois game with an all-time record of 704-275-52.
EDDIE GEORGE MEMORIES
Eddie George’s 1995 Heisman Trophy-winning campaign featured an Ohio State school-record 314-yard rushing afternoon against Illinois in Ohio Stadium. He had 128 yards in the first quarter and 180 at halftime. When he left early in the fourth quarter, he had smashed Keith Byars’ school standard of 274 yards, which ironically had been set against Illinois in 1984.
11 SILVER BULLETS
Ohio State has three All-America-caliber leaders of the defense – linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer, cornerback Antoine Winfield and strong safety Damon Moore – but in each of the team’s wins this season it has been a total team effort by the defense. Consider: in all four games this season a different Buckeye (or pair of Buckeyes) has led the team in tackles. Central McClellion and Antoine Winfield topped the defensive charts with eight tackles apiece vs. West Virginia. Sophomores Joe Cooper and Tim Cheatwood had 10 and six, respectively, vs. Toledo. Andy Katzenmoyer (career high 12) and Na’il Diggs (career high 10) led against Missouri, and Damon Moore and Diggs tied for the team lead against Penn State with seven stops apiece. Consider also that: 18 different players have combined for the team’s 33 tackles for loss; six different players have combined for seven interceptions; two back-ups – Joe Cooper and Central McClellion – are among the top 10 tacklers; five players are within six tackles for the team lead.
BUCKEYES 4TH IN TOTAL DEFENSE
Ohio State’s defensive unit is fourth nationally, allowing just 224.0 yards per game. The Buckeyes are 3rd in pass efficiency defense (76.8 rating), 4th in scoring defense (10.0 ppg) and 29th against the run (113.5 ypg). Ohio State is the No. 1 defense in the Big Ten (1st in pass efficiency, 2nd in scoring and 5th in rushing).
SPARKED BY RUDZINSKI & KING
Two of the biggest plays in the win over Penn State came from linebacker Jerry Rudzinski and back-up safety Percy King. With his team trailing 3-0 deep into the second quarter, Rudzinski blitzed and surprised PSU quarterback Kevin Thompson, who fumbled the ball as he spun. Rudzinski pushed Turner away and pounced on the football in the end zone for his first-ever touchdown. The extra point made it 7-3. At the end of Penn State’s first possession of the second half, King burst through a hole in the middle and blocked a punt attempt in the end zone that Joe Cooper recovered in the end zone for a 21-7 OSU lead.
BLOCK PARTIES: KING’S 3rd; TEAM’S 1st
Percy King’s third-quarter block of a Penn State punt was the third blocked kick of his career and the first this season for Ohio State’s special teams. Last year, King had a blocked field goal vs. Iowa and a blocked point-after try vs. Michigan.
WEAPONS
Ohio State’s offense features weapons at every skill position, and as a result the team’s offensive productivity is reflected in high NCAA rankings. Ohio State is ninth nationally in total offense, averaging 479.5 yards per game. The Buckeyes are 12th in rushing offense (234.0) and 28th in passing (245.5), in addition to ranking 18th in scoring (36.5). The Buckeyes are first in the Big Ten in total offense and rushing offense, and they are second in passing and scoring.
A WEAPON CALLED WILEY
Tailback Michael Wiley may have been held to a season-low 62 rushing yards by a strong Penn State defense that played nine men on the line, but the junior did catch a career-high five passes including a 20-yard touchdown from Joe Germaine with just 23 seconds remaining in the first half. That score gave Ohio State a 14-3 lead at the break. Wiley ranks seventh nationally with an average of 140.5 yards per game and his 7.7 yards per carry average ranks second (LSU’s Kevin Faulk averages 7.9 per). Wiley is first in the Big Ten in rushing, second in all-purpose yards (162.0) and tied for first in scoring TDs (six).
MORE WILEY
In his first year as a starter, Michael Wiley opened the season with back-to-back-to-back career highs in rushing with 140 yards vs. West Virginia, 151 yards vs. Toledo and 209 yards vs. Missouri. Those efforts gave him the best three-game start in OSU history – 500 yards. His 562 yards after four games ranks fourth all-time at Ohio State after Eddie George (640 in 1995), Archie Griffin (619 in 1974) and Keith Byars (617 in 1984).
NATION’S BEST RECEIVING TANDEM
They are strong, fast, smart and they know how to get open and then catch the football. The nation’s best pair of receivers – senior Dee Miller and junior David Boston – have now combined for 45 receptions for 654 yards and four touchdowns this season. Miller starred with six receptions for 108 yards vs. Penn State. Included was three catches for 17, 13 and 11 (on 4th and eight) yards that helped set up a key Ohio State touchdown with 23 seconds left in the half. Boston had two catches for 37 yards. ABC’s Keith Jackson said Saturday: “You have to dig deep in the thesaurus to define Boston and Miller.”
BOSTON & MILLER AMONG TOP 10
David Boston’s 129 career receptions and Dee Miller’s 93 career receptions rank third and 10th, respectively, all-time at Ohio State. Cris Carter (168) and Gary Williams (154) are ahead of Boston but in reach. Boston ranks sixth in receiving yardage (1,753) and second in touchdown receptions (23). Miller has 1,496 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
JOE’S CLIMBING PASSING CHARTS
Joe Germaine has moved into a tie for third place all-time at OSU with 37 career touchdown passes. One more will move him ahead of Greg Frey and into sole possession of third place. Germaine is also sixth at Ohio State with 3,915 passing yards. His career passing percentage of 59.1 pct. is the best ever at Ohio State.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK vs. PSU
For the third time this season Ben Gilbert has been named (or has shared) offensive lineman of the week honors. Offensive player of the week honors went to Dee Miller. The entire defense was honored by the coaching staff and Percy King was named special teams player of the week.
KEY STATS.FYI
Ohio State’s defense has allowed just 13 points in the second half this season..The Buckeyes are out-scoring their opponents 38-3 in the first quarter..The OSU offense has successfully converted on 49 pct. of its third-down tries (32-of-65). Opponents: a mere 18 pct. (10-of-55)..The Buckeyes have fumbled 16 times in four games but have lost just four..The Buckeyes are averaging 5.75 scoring drives per game.
OHIO STATE NOTES & GOOD STUFF
Joe Montgomery (Robbins, Ill.) is the only Buckeye from the state of Illinois. He has played well in the first four games, ranking second on the team with 201 rushing yards, a 5.6-yard average and three touchdowns..Ohio State’s defense has allowed Illinois an average of 65.6 rushing yards per game the last three games of the series, and just 1.9 yards per rush..Ohio State has had 56 games since 1950 with 500 yards or more of total offense, including the first three games this season, and the Buckeyes are 52-3-1 in those games..John Cooper is now 4-2 all-time vs. Penn State..Ryan Pickett became the first true freshman to start this season when he replaced DT Clinton Wayne (injured tibia) in the lineup against Penn State. Wayne did play. It was the first defensive starting lineup change all season..True freshman fullback Jamar Martin recorded his first career reception in the Penn State game, a 17-yarder..True freshman Steve Bellisari has already played offense (quarterback), defense (strong safety) and special teams in a game this season.Ahmed Plummer’s 83-yard interception return last year vs. Illinois was the fifth-longest in school history….Brent Bartholomew had four punts downed inside of the Penn State 20 last Saturday.
COOP’S AMONG BIG TEN’S BEST
John Cooper is ranked fifth on the Big Ten Conference’s all-time win list. Cooper’s .728 Big Ten winning percentage (57-20-4 thru 10 years) trails only Bo Shembechler (.850; 143-24-3 in 21 years at Michigan), Fielding Yost (.796; 42-10-2 in 25 years at Michigan), Woody Hayes (.785; 152-39-7 in 28 years at Ohio State) and Fritz Crisler (.777; 42-11-3 in 10 years at Michigan).
LONG DRIVES
The Ohio State offense has produced five 80-yard drives this season, including three 90-yard drives. The Bucks went 80- and 96-yards for touchdowns vs. WVU; 80- and 98-yards for TDs vs. Toledo and 92 yards for a TD vs. Missouri. QB Joe Germaine also led the Bucks to 70-, 75- and 70-yard TD drives on three of the last four possessions against Missouri.
TWO BILETNIKOFF AWARD CANDIDATES
OSU’s outstanding receivers – David Boston and Dee Miller – are each among the initial list of candidates for the Biletnikoff Award. Keith Jackson Sept. 19: “There is spectacular talent here in Dee Miller and David Boston.” Ten semifinalists will be chosen Oct. 20. OSU’s Terry Glenn won the award in 1995.
THREE THORPE AWARD MENTIONS
The initial list of 44 prospects for the 1998 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back in college football includes three Ohio State Buckeyes. All-American Antoine Winfield and Damon Moore are listed as leading candidates and Gary Berry is one of the additional prospects. The Thorpe Award winner will be announced Dec. 10 from Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
NO SURPRISE FOR BEST LB
1997 Butkus Award winner Andy Katzenmoyer heads a list of 68 of the nation’s linebackers on the preliminary list for the Butkus Award. The list will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists Oct. 15. Last year Katzenmoyer, from Westerville, Ohio, became the first Buckeye to win the award.
SENIOR SUCCESS
The senior class this year has a chance to become the third-consecutive senior class to break or tie a four-year Ohio State record for wins. This year’s class enters 1998 with a record of 32-6 with sights set on breaking the 1996 seniors’ mark of 41 wins. The 32-6 mark also represents the fifth-best record in Division IA football over the last three years, trailing only Nebraska (36-2), Florida (34-4), Florida State (32-4) and Tennessee (32-5).
88 PCT. IN THE RED ZONE
Ohio State has scored points on 88-percent of its trips inside the opponent’s red zone. The Buckeyes have scored on 16 of 18 red zone trips, with 12 touchdowns and four field goals. OSU was a perfect five-for-five on red zone opportunities against West Virginia and Missouri. Opponents have advanced into Ohio State’s red zone five times. They’ve scored four times (all touchdowns).
PLAYMAKERS
Ohio State now has 22 passing or running plays of 20 yards or more this season. David Boston has the team single game high with four plays of 20-or-more yards against West Virginia. Michael Wiley’s 76-yard run from scrimmage, vs. Toledo, is the longest. Seven different players have taken part.
20-YARD RECEPTIONS (13) 6 David Boston – 39TD, 29, 29, 27, 23, 23, 21 2 Dee Miller – 42, 37TD, 34 1 Reggie Germany – 47TD 1 John Lumpkin – 28 1 Michael Wiley – 20TD
20-YARD RUSHES (9) 5 Michael Wiley – 76TD, 59, 37, 29, 21TD 3 Joe Montgomery – 24, 20, 20 1 Joe Germaine – 22
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THE SCOOP ON COOP
Twelve Buckeyes have been first round NFL draft picks under John Cooper.
THE COACH
John Cooper, now in his 11th season as head coach of the Ohio State University Buckeyes and in his 22nd season overall, is building as fine a collegiate coaching resume as any active coach in the business. Period. And the resume is getting better every year. Cooper, the second-winningest coach in OSU history – behind Woody Hayes’ 205 victories – and with the third-longest coaching tenure behind Hayes (28 seasons) and John W. Wilce (16), has guided four- consecutive Ohio State teams into New Year’s Day bowl games and each of his last three Ohio State teams to at least 10 victories. The former is part of nine-consecutive bowl appearances for the Buckeyes under Cooper. The latter is an accomplishment only three other current head coaches can match (Bobby Bowden at Florida State, Steve Spurrier at Florida and Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee).
THE 1990’s
Cooper’s Buckeyes have won 55 games since 1993 and in the decade of the 1990s, Ohio State has amassed a 78-22-3 record, the ninth-best record in the decade among all Division IA schools. These streaks of successes has positioned Cooper with an Ohio State record of 90-32-4 and an all-time mark of 172-72-6.
THE AWARDS
Regarding student-athletes, the honors, awards and accomplishments Ohio State student-athletes have garnered under Cooper is matched by no other active coach. Consider, under John Cooper 15 Buckeyes have won first-team All-America honors, 12 have been first-round NFL draft picks, six have won National Football Foundation Scholarships, five have been named first-team Academic All-Americans and eight have won major athletic and academic awards in the last three years alone.
THE MAN
Away from football, Cooper likes any outdoor activities such as golf, fishing and lawn work and hates being confined to a desk and being in the office. As for dining, he says he has never had a bad meal and still loves an old fashioned home-cooked meal of beans, potatoes and cornbread. He enjoys oldies and country music and truly enjoys relaxing with his family.
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ILLINOIS
A much-improved Fighting Illini squad is a year older and already two wins better.
Facts & Figures Location Champaign, Ill. Enrollment 36,000 President Dr. James J. Stukel Athletic Director Ron Guenther Nickname Fighting Illini Colors Orange and Blue 1998 Record 2-3, 1-1 Big Ten Head Coach Ron Turner Alma Mater Pacific, ’77 UI Record 2-14-0 (second year) Career Record 9-18-0 (third year) Record vs. Ohio State 0-1-0 Offensive Coordinator Buddy Teevens Defensive Coordinator Tim Kish Letterman Returning/Lost 41/11 Offensive Starters Returning 7 Defensive Starters Returning 9 Specialists Returning 1 Offensive Formation Pro-Style Defensive Formation 4-3
1998 Schedule/Results Sept. 4, at Washington State, L 20-13 Sept. 12, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE, W 48-20 Sept. 19, LOUISVILLE, L 35-9 Sept. 26, IOWA, L 37-14 Oct. 3, at Northwestern, W 13-10 Oct. 10, OHIO STATE Oct. 17, WISCONSIN Oct. 24, at Purdue Oct. 31, at Penn State Nov. 7, INDIANA Nov. 21, at Michigan State
AN OLDER, WISER ILLINOIS
After fielding one of the nation’s youngest teams last season, Illinois returns 16 starters and has already won two more games this year than they did all of last season.
LAST WEEKEND
The Fighting Illini topped in-state rival Northwestern 13-10 on the road Saturday afternoon, reclaiming the Sweet Sioux trophy. The win snapped Illinois 15-game losing streak in the Big Ten dating back to the 1996 season. True freshman Rausell (Rocky) Harvey was the workhorse for the Illini, carrying the ball 40 times for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The defense was solid as well, keeping the Wildcats out of the endzone until late in the fourth quarter. The unit also collected four sacks and three interceptions.
IMPACT FRESHMEN
Harvey leads an Illinois offense that is averaging over 320 yards per game. The Chicago native was one of the most decorated running backs in Illinois high school history, and has rushed for 498 yards in four games this season. Harvey also returns punts for Illinois. “He’s very explosive and a big-play type of running back. He doesn’t have great size (5-9, 170), but he plays with great size,” UI head coach Ron Turner said. Junior Steve Havard will also see time at halfback for the Illini, and is averaging 63 yards per game. Mark Hoekstra, last year’s starting quarterback, and Kurt Kittner have split time at quarterback through the first four games. Kittner, a true freshman, has been the better of the two thus far, completing 35-of-80 passes for 443 yards. Hoekstra has connected on 26-of-69 attempts and been intercepted four times. Illinois has thrown for just one touchdown this season. Four starters return on the offensive line, including standout tackle Ryan Schau. Twin brother Tom Schau starts at center for Illinois after missing most of last season with a broken ankle.
VETERAN DEFENSE
Illinois returns nine starters on the defensive side, including all-star linebacker Danny Clark. The team’s leader in tackles with 45, Clark was an honorable mention all-Big Ten pick a year ago. He also leads the team in pass break-ups (4) and has six tackles for a loss. Clark will start on the outside, next to middle linebacker Eric Guenther. Mike Young returns at the other outside linebacker position after starting all 11 games last season as a redshirt freshman. “Danny Clark and Mike Young are two playmakers,” Turner said. “They both improved as the season went on.” Defensive tackle Garrett Johnson should be a familiar name to Buckeye fans, as he is entering his fourth year as a starter. Johnson leads the team in tackles for a loss (10) and sacks (4.5). The Illini defensive unit has had trouble stopping the pass in the first four games of the 1998 season, surrendering over 175 yards in the air per game. Opponent quarterbacks have a 95.78 efficiency rating against Illinois.
ILLINI NOTES
Ryan and Tom Schau are the first brothers to start for the Illini at the same time since 1980….OSU WR Reggie Germany and UI LB Mike Young attended the same high school (Hazelwood East, St. Louis, Mo.)….LB Eric Guenther is the nephew of UI athletic director Ron Guenther.
1998 ILLINOIS STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING Att. Yards Avg. TD Rocky Harvey 92 498 5.4 5 Steve Havard 63 316 5.0 3
PASSING Att. Co. Yds. TD Int. Kurt Kittner 80 35 443 1 3 Mark Hoekstra 69 26 268 0 4
RECEIVING No. Yards Avg. TD Michael Dean 12 178 14.8 0 Lenny Willis 9 188 20.9 0 Terrance Smalls 7 49 7.0 0
TACKLES Solo Asst. Tot. Sacks Danny Clark 34 11 45 0 Garrett Johnson 20 9 29 4.5
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OSU LAST WEEK
Sloppy weather showcases the dominance of the Ohio State defense. On 34 of 59 plays, the Penn State offense was held to zero or negative yardage.
COLUMBUS – With the forecast calling for rain the entire afternoon, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions quickly knew the afternoon would be a defensive battle. And the Silver Bullets stepped up to the challenge and answered the call by limiting the Penn State attack to just 181 total yards and just 79-yards rushing.
The two schools played scoreless football until 8:08 remained in the second quarter. Penn State kicker Travis Forney gave his team an early 3-0 lead with his 42-yard field goal.
With 3:55 remaining in the half, the momentum of the game shifted in the Buckeyes favor with what was perhaps the biggest play in Jerry Rudzinski’s career. With the ball on the PSU 13-yard line, Kevin Thompson was sacked by Rudzinski and fumbled the ball before going down. The opportunistic Rudzinski saw his opportunity and pounced on the ball for the first score of his OSU career.
After a PSU punt, the Buckeyes put together their best drive of the afternoon with a 1:48 remaining in the half.
Joe Germaine led OSU on an eight play, 51 yard drive which culminated into a Germaine to Michael Wiley 20-yard touchdown pass.
The Buckeyes went into halftime with a 14-3 lead and they struck first in the second half.
With 12:44 remaining in the third quarter, Percy King broke through the Penn State line and blocked Pat Pidgeon’s punt attempt. The ball quickly dribble into the endzone, where Joe Cooper pounced on it for the first score of his career.
Later in the quarter, Joe Germaine tossed his first interception of the season to David Macklin.
Two playes later, Mike Cerimele rushed up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown to bring the score to 21-9.
OSU tacked on the final score of the game with 3:08 remaining in the quarter. Joe Montgomery put the Buckeyes on the 1-yard line with a 20-yard scamper and put the ball in the next play to bring the game to its final score, 28-9.
The Buckeyes played a brilliant game defensively. On 34 of 59 plays, the Penn State offense was limited to zero or negative yards.
Dee Miller had a solid day with a team high six receptions for 108 yards. KING FOR A DAY
Junior Percy King picked up the third special teams block of his career in the third quarter. King blocked a field goal against Iowa and an extra point against Michigan State last season.
TWO UNBEATENS…AGAIN!
Ohio State vs. Penn State has become a game that the nation stops and watches. For the third-consecutive year, Ohio State and Penn State each came into this game unbeaten and ranked in the top 10. And since this 13-game rivalry was resumed in 1993, Ohio State has come into the game unbeaten and ranked in the top 10 five out of the six years while Penn State has come into the game unbeaten and in the top 10 four times.
BUCKEYES vs. NITTANY LIONS
Ohio State and Penn State have met 14 times with the Nittany Lions holding an 8-6 advantage in wins. This was the sixth meeting since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Ohio State has now won four times since ’93 (24-6 in ’93 at Ohio Stadium; 28-25 in ’95 at Beaver Stadium; 38-7 in ’96 at Ohio Stadium and 28-9 in 1998). The Buckeyes are 4-2 vs. Penn State under John Cooper. All-time, OSU is 4-5 vs. Penn State in Columbus; 2-2 in State College and 0-1 on neutral sites (the 1980 Fiesta Bowl).
No. 7 Penn State 9 No. 1 Ohio State 28 Oct. 3, Ohio Stadium; ABC
Scoring Penn State 0 3 6 0 9 Ohio State 0 14 14 0 28
Second Quarter PSU – FG Forney 42, 8:05 OSU – Rudzinski 0 fumble return (Stultz kick), 3:55 OSU – Wiley 20 pass from Germaine (Stultz kick), 0:23
Third Quarter OSU – Cooper 0 blocked punt return (Stultz kick), 12:44 PSU – Cerimele 1 run (Thompson pass failed), 9:41 OSU – Montgomery 1 run (Stultz kick), 3:08 Attendance – 93,479
Team Statistics PSU OSU First downs 9 17 Rushes-yards 30-79 45-113 Passing yards 102 213 Return yards 80 123 Comp.-Att.-Int. 13-29-1 16-30-1 Sacked-yards lost 4-18 2-13 Punts 6-37.6 6-38.5 Fumbles-lost 1-1 5-1 Penalties-yards 6-47 5-48 Time of possession 26:03 33:57
Individual Statistics Rushing – Penn State, Mitchell 14-81, Casey 2-13, Easy 2-6, Cerimele 4-5, McCoo 3-2, Harris 2-(-5), Nastasi 1-(-9), Thompson 2-(-14). Ohio State, Wiley 19-62, Montgomery 8-40, Germaine 7-17, Keller 5-5, Wells 2-2, Combs 2-(-1), Garcia 2-(-12).
Passing – Penn State, Thompson 11-20-1 106, Casey 2-9-0 (-4), Ohio State, Germaine 16-30-1 213, Garcia 0-0-0 0.
Receiving – Penn State, Jones 4-4, Nastasi 2-59, Fields 2-21, McCoo 2-5, Mitchell 2-(-5), Brown 1-18. Ohio State, Miller 6-108, Wiley 5-31, Boston 2-37, Martin 1-17, Lumpkin 1-15, Montgomery 1-5.
Missed Field Goals – Ohio State, Stultz 40, 50.
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