Postgame Notes From Ohio State vs. San Diego State – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 20, 2001
Recap| Final Stats| Quotes
Buckeye Postgame Notes
The game today was the first meeting between the Buckeyes and Aztecs. OSU now holds a 1-0 edge in the series.
With the win, Jim Tressel’s career mark improves to 139-59-2 overall and 4-2 at Ohio State.
Lydell Ross rushed for two touchdowns, marking the fourth-consecutive game he has scored. He now has six touchdowns in four games. The last OSU running back to score touchdowns in four-consecutive games was Michael Wiley in 1999. Ross also scored at Indiana (twice) and against Northwestern and Wisconsin. Ross rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter and added a 51-yard run with 9:41 in the fourth quarter. The 51-yard run touchdown is the longest run of Ross’ career. His previous high was a 26-yard run at Indiana.
Jonathan Wells scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Buckeyes a 20-12 lead, giving him seven touchdowns on the season. Wells scored twice against Akron, once against Indiana and three times against Northwestern.
The Buckeyes blocked Brian Simnjanovski’s point-after attempt in the second quarter, marking the first time the Buckeyes blocked an extra point since Nov. 22, 1997 at Michigan.
Steve Bellisari scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter for his second rushing touchdown of the season His first of the season came last week against Wisconsin. He now has five rushing touchdowns in his career with two in 1999 and one in 2000. Derek Ross intercepted two passes for the first multiple-interception game of his career. It was third-consecutive game he notched an interception. He has four interceptions this season.
Joe Cooper’s interception in the third quarter was his first of the season and the third of his career. He had interceptions vs. Iowa in 1999 and vs. Michigan State in 2000. Robert Reynolds’ interception of a deflected pass on the first play of the fourth quarter was the first interception of his career.
OSU’s four interceptions is the most in a game by the Buckeyes since they came up with four Drew Brees passes at Purdue last Oct. 28. The Buckeyes also intercepted four passes against Fresno State last Sept. 2 in the 2000 season-opener.
The Buckeyes now have recorded an interception in four consecutive games, as Will Allen had an interception against Indiana and Derek Ross picked off passes against Northwestern and Wisconsin.
The 44-yard catch by Chris Vance in the first quarter was the second-longest of his career. His previous high was a 61-yard touchdown reception in the season-opening win over Akron.
Aztec Postgame Notes
Team Notes
San Diego State fell to 2-5 (1-2 MWC) with today’s loss. Combined with last week’s loss at UNLV it is the second time this season that the Aztecs have dropped back-to-back games.
The loss was the Aztecs’ sixth straight versus the Big Ten. San Diego State’s has not defeated a Big Ten opponent since a 48-17 victory over Minnesota Sept. 25, 1993.
Today’s crowd of 102,432 at Ohio Stadium is the largest gathering ever to witness an Aztec game, surpassing a throng of 80,000 in Tokyo that watched the SDSU and Air Force do battle in the 1981 Mirage Bowl. The largest crowd to see the Aztecs play in the United States was in 1997, when 76,864 fans were on hand for the SDSU-Wisconsin tilt in Madison.
Ohio State’s 16-play, game-opening drive was the second longest of the season versus San Diego State and the longest without points. It was also just the fourth time in 20 trips an opponent has driven inside the 20-yard-line and not scored.
San Diego State’s opening possession of 13 plays was its fourth-most this year.
Lydell Ross’ 52-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run was the longest given up by the Aztecs this season.
Individual Notes
Running back Larry Ned moved into second-place all-time in career rushing at San Diego State today. He now trails only Marshall Faulk (4,589 yards on 766 attempts) in both categories in the SDSU records book.
Ned also posted his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 10th of his career.
Larry Ned’s second-quarter, one-yard touchdown run was his ninth of the season and the 30th of his career.
Place-kicker Tommy Kirovski remained perfect inside 40 yards on the season, connecting on field goals of 29 and 38 yards. The junior is now made six of seven attempts on the year, including 6-for-6 inside the 40.
Garret Pavelko’s third-quarter interception was his second of the season and the third of his career.
Wide receivers J.R. Tolver and Derrick Lewis each extended their consecutive games with a reception streak to 21 games.
Defensive tackle Jerome Haywood made his 41st career start today.
