Buckeyes Surge in Second Half to Down Aztecs 27-12 – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct 20, 2001
Final Stats| Quotes| Notes
COLUMBUS, Ohio-Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4 minutes, 35 seconds to play in the third quarter to lead OSU (4-2) to a 27-12 win over San Diego State (2-5) Saturday.
Bellisari finished the day completing 15-of-28 passes for 198 yards. Junior Chris Vance was the beneficiary of five Bellisari offerings for a game-high 87 receiving yards.
The Aztecs turned the ball over five-consecutive times in the second half, aiding Ohio State’s come-from-behind victory.
With the Buckeyes down 12-6, the teams exchanged punts to start the second half and then exchanged interceptions.
Ohio State linebacker Joe Cooper intercepted Aztec quarterback Lon Sheriff on SDSU’s second possession in the third quarter.
Bellisari was then picked off by Aztec free safety Garrett Pavelko on the SDSU 17. On the next play from scrimmage, Buckeye linebacker Fred Pagac, Jr., recovered a fumbled snap, giving the Ohio State offense the ball on the SDSU 18.
Bellisari scored on a 4-yard run giving the Buckeyes their first lead of the game at 13-12.
Sheriff was intercepted again, this time by OSU cornerback Derek Ross, who put the Buckeyes on the SDSU 5-yard line following a 31-yard return.
The Buckeyes took advantage of the miscue by scoring on a 1-yard run by senior tailback Jonathan Wells with 2:18 left in the third quarter for a 20-12 OSU advantage.
Ohio State got the ball back on another Sheriff interception with 14:54 left in the fourth quarter. Buckeye linebacker Robert Reynolds caught a tipped pass, giving OSU the ball on the SDSU 41. Ohio State was unable to take advantage, missing on a fourth-and-long situation and giving the Aztecs the ball back on downs at the 12:10 mark.
Ross then recorded his second interception of the game giving the Buckeyes possession on their own 35-yard line with 11:25 to play.
Four plays later, Buckeye freshman Lydell Ross broke several tackles on a 51-yard touchdown run for a 27-12 OSU lead. It was his second running score of the game and sixth of the season. He has scored in four-consecutive games this season.
The Ohio State offense took the game’s opening kickoff to the San Diego State 14-yard line but the Buckeyes failed to convert on a 32-yard field-goal attempt by freshman Josh Huston.
The Aztecs took over on their own 20 and drove to the Ohio State 12 before kicker Tommy Kirovki booted a 29-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 4:22 to play in the first quarter.
The Buckeyes took over the lead with 1:49 left in the first quarter when Lydell Ross scored from 2-yards out. The extra point failed, giving Ohio State a 6-3 advantage. Bellisari threw for 109 yards in the first quarter, completing 7-of-12 passes. A 44-yard completion and acrobatic catch by Vance down the left sideline set up Ross’ first touchdown run.
The teams traded punts before the Aztecs rallied to take a 9-6 lead, driving 64 yards for a 2-yard touchdown run by tailback Larry Ned. Ohio State’s Derek Ross blocked the extra point attempt.
The Buckeyes were forced to punt on their next possession.
San Diego State pushed its lead to 12-6 on its next offensive effort on a 38-yard Kirovki field goal with 2:58 to play in the first half.
Ohio State had a chance to cut into the Aztec lead following a drive to the SDSU 21-yard line with 45 seconds to play before halftime but missed on a 30-yard field goal attempt.
Ohio State travels to Penn State next week and then to Minnesota Nov. 3. The Buckeyes return home to face Purdue Nov. 10.
