No. 18 Buckeyes Stop Arizona 27-17 – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 9, 2000
Box Score| Notes
TUCSON, Ariz., – Down 17-10 at halftime, the No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes rallied with 17 unanswered points to defeat the upset-minded Arizona Wildcats, 27-17 in Arizona Stadium. Quarterback Steve Bellisari recorded his fourth career 200-plus yard passing game by going 12-of-20 for 240 yards. The OSU defense was stout as the group totaled eight sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss. Every member of the starting front seven recorded a TFL.
An early turnover that put the ball on the UA 9-yard line gave the Wildcats the first lead of the ballgame. With 6:41 remaining in the first quarter, Arizona starting quarterback Ortege Jenkins scored on a 10-yard bootleg run to give UA a 7-0 lead.
Turnovers continued to set the tone for the first quarter but this time in OSU’s favor. UA punt returner Bobby Wade mishandled a punt and fumbled the ball at the OSU 21-yard line. An alert Curtis Crosby pounced on the ball for the first fumble recovery of his career. OSU later converted the turnover into points with a 26-yard field goal by Dan Stultz. The kick cut the UA lead, 7-3.
With 14:11 remaining in the second quarter, the Buckeyes took their first lead of the ballgame. Bellisari found tight end Tim Cheatwood in the back of the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown reception. The catch and score were career first for Cheatwood and gave OSU a 10-7 edge.
Miscommunication between Bellisari and tailback Derek Combs led to a safety by the Arizona defense. With 7:29 remaining in the second quarter, Bellisari and Combs botched a handoff at the OSU 10-yard line. Combs recovered the loose ball and rolled out the back of the Arizona endzone to give UA two points. The safety cut the OSU lead, 10-9.
The Wildcats retook the lead on the ensuing drive. With 6:11 remaining in the half, Jenkins connected with Wade for a 60-yard touchdown reception. Coincidentally, the reception and completion were the first of the game for the Wildcats. The score gave UA a 17-10 edge going into halftime.
With 7:53 remaining in the third quarter, OSU senior flanker Chad Cacchio caught a 60-yard touchdown reception from Bellisari to tie the game at 17. The catch and touchdown were the second of the season for Cacchio.
OSU took the lead for good with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter. Junior tailback Jonathan Wells capped a nine play, 72-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The score gave OSU a 24-17 lead.
With 12:52 remaining in the game, OSU added the final points of the game when Stultz kicked a 20-yard field goal to give OSU a 27-17 advantage. The kick capped a 7-play, 21-yard drive for OSU.
Next Saturday, OSU plays host to Miami (Ohio) in Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. (EST).
