No. 6 Ohio State Runs Past No. 10 Washington State, 25-7 – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept 14, 2002
Box Score| Quotes| Notes
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett ran for 230 yards, including 194 in the second half, to lift No. 6 Ohio State to a 25-7 victory over No. 10 Washington State in front of a record 104,553 fans Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Clarett’s 230 yards rushing on 31 carries were both career bests. His rushing total is the sixth-highest single game total in OSU history and the second-highest mark for a freshman behind Archie Griffin’s 239 yards vs. North Carolina in 1972. Clarett earned more than 200 yards for the first time in his career and topped 100 yards for the second time in the first three games of his Ohio State career.
The Buckeyes struggled in the first half and trailed, 7-6, at intermission. Washington State out-gained Ohio State 189 to 109 yards in total offense in the first half, including a difference of 155 to 57 in passing yardage. Clarett had just 36 yards in the first half.
In the second half, Ohio State posted 254 yards of offense, 240 of which came by way of the ground attack. The Buckeye defense forced two interceptions and had two sacks against Washington State’s Heisman Trophy candidate Jason Gesser. The WSU senior quarterback completed 25-of-44 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. For the Buckeyes, quarterback Craig Krenzel was 4-of-10 for 71 yards.
Ohio State forced a punt on Washington State’s opening possession of the second half and then drove 91 yards on just eight plays for the go-ahead score, a 3-yard run by Clarett. The freshman tailback opened the drive with a 44-yard rush over the left side. He also had carries of 6 and 20 yards on the drive. The score came at 8:37 in the third quarter and put the Buckeyes on top 13-7. The Buckeyes extended their lead, 16-7 on a 45-yard field goal by Mike Nugent with 1:57 to play in the third quarter. The kick capped a six-play, 16-yard drive. The field goal was Nugent’s third of the game and his eighth straight make, which is the fifth longest streak in OSU history.
Washington State was forced to punt on the ensuing possession and the Buckeyes took a two-point gift when the snap went over the punter’s head and through the end zone. The safety gave the Buckeyes an 18-7 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
A one-yard run by Clarett put the Buckeyes up, 25-7, with 10:41 to play in the game. The score capped a 10-play, 66-yard drive that guzzled up 4:58 off the clock. Clarett ran for 37 yards on the drive. The score was the sixth touchdown of his career and was his fifth rushing touchdown.
Ohio State opened the game by scoring on its first possession. Kicker Mike Nugent made a 43-yard try to give the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead with 13:19 to go in the opening quarter. A 33-yard pass from Craig Krenzel to Mike Jenkins set up the score. Jenkins added a 16-yard grab to finish with 49 receiving yards.
Washington State countered with a touchdown on its initial drive, moving the ball 80 yards in 11 plays. The 5-yard completion from Jason Gesser to Devard Darling gave the Cougars a 7-3 lead with 8:33 to play in the first. Darling finished the game with six receptions for 65 yards.
Nugent pulled the Buckeyes within one, 7-6, with his second 43-yard field goal of the afternoon with 12:09 left in the second quarter. Lydell Ross had a 36-yard run in the drive.
The Cougars threatened, going 68 yards to set up a 29-yard field goal with 2:50 to play in the first half, but an errant snap gave the Buckeyes the ball. OSU could get nothing going and were forced to punt. Washington State went three and out and punted the ball for a touchback. OSU downed the ball and headed for the locker room trailing, 7-6.
Next week, Ohio State will play Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The game will be televised by ESPN and will begin at 3:30 p.m.
