Post Game Notes From Ohio State vs. Michigan State – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 7, 2004
Recap | Box Score
Attendance: 72,222
Ohio State Notes
With the win Saturday, Ohio State improved to 11-6 in roadgames under head coach Jim Tressel. After the win Saturday, JimTressel’s career mark stands at 173-67-2, including a 38-10 recordat Ohio State. The Buckeyes held a 17-13 advantage at halftime. TheBuckeyes are 27-2 under Tressel when leading at the half. For the99th consecutive game, Ohio State scored at least one touchdown.The last time a Buckeye team was held without a touchdown was a13-9 loss to Michigan in the 1996 season. The Buckeyes now own anall-time Big Ten record of 417-160-24. Under Tressel, Ohio Statemoved to 22-8 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State – Michigan State Series
The meeting Saturday between Ohio State and Michigan State wasthe 35th in the series. With the win, the Buckeyes now hold a 22-12advantage in the series, including a 10-5 edge in East Lansing.With the win Saturday, the Buckeyes handed MSU its second loss infive home games this season, breaking a two-game home win streak.The other loss was a 31-24 setback to Notre Dame. It was the firstloss in Big Ten play at home. With the 32 points scored Saturday byOhio State, the Buckeyes improve to 10-0 when scoring 30 or morepoints in the series.
Ohio State Special Teams
The 60-yard punt return for touchdown by Ted Ginn Jr. in thefirst quarter (8:15) was his third of the season, setting theschool record for punt returns for touchdowns in a season. Thethree scoring punt returns by Ginn tie the school’s career recordfor punt returns for touchdowns in a career. Jeff Graham (1989-90)and Garcia Lane (1981-83) also had three in their careers.
Ginn’s other two punt returns for scores came against Wisconsin (65 yards) and against Penn State 57 yards.
Ginn’s punt return was the Buckeyes’ fourth punt return to gofor a touchdown this season. That sets the school record. OhioState had three punt returns for scores in 1973, 1979, 1983 and1998. Senior placekicker Mike Nugent converted on a 53-yard fieldgoal attempt to give the Buckeyes a 17-0 lead with 2:50 to play inthe first quarter. It made him 8-of-9 for his career from 50 yardsand beyond. It was his fifth field goal from at least 50 yards thisseason. Nugent has made 64 of 80 field goal attempts in his career.
Nugent converted all four extra-point tries Saturday, boosting his career point total to 323, which is good for third all-time at Ohio State. Nugent needs 26 points to surpass Pete Johnson (348 points, 1973-76) as the school’s all-time point leader and 19 to pass Dan Stultz (342, 1997-00) for second all-time.
Senior punter Kyle Turano booted a career long 68-yard punt inthe second quarter. His previous long was 58 yards against Indianathis year.
Ohio State Offensive Notes
Devon Lyons caught his first career pass in the first quarteron the Buckeyes’ third possession of the game. The receptionofficially went for zero yards. Santonio Holmes caught his firstpass of the game in the third quarter, giving him at least onecatch in his last 15 games. His last game without a reception wasagainst Iowa on Oct. 18, 2003. Maurice Hall’s 51-yard touchdown runwith 25 seconds remaining in the game was his longest rush of hiscareer, topping a 33-yard carry against San Diego State in 2003. Itwas his first TD of the season and the sixth of his career.
Ohio State Defense Notes
Ashton Youboty intercepted Damon Dowdell in the first quarterand return it 26 yards to set up the Buckeyes first score of thegame. It was his third interception of the year. He also hadinterceptions at North Carolina State and last week against PennState. A.J. Hawks interception that set up Ohio State’s final scorewas his second of the season and the sixth of his career. BrandonMitchell intercepted Damon Dowdell in the end zone to end the game.It was his first pick of the season and the second of his career.His other interception was against North Carolina State in 2003.The Buckeyes finished with three interceptions in the game,equaling their three picks at N.C. State earlier this season.
Other Ohio State Notes
Three different Buckeyes made their first career starts: DionteJohnson (FB), T.J. Downing (RG) and Steve Rehring (LT).
Additionally, Brandon Mitchell made his first start of the season and his third career start. He started the first two games of the 2003 season, against Washington and San Diego State.
The Buckeyes first fielded a football team in 1890. With thewin Saturday, Ohio State has posted an all-time record of763-297-53 in 114 years.
A sell-out crowd of 78,222 attended the game Saturday. For the season, the Buckeyes have played before sellout crowds in all nine games this season.
Former Buckeye Ryan Miller (1993-96) served as the honorarycaptain for Ohio State Saturday.
