Ohio State set a new school record for consecutive conference wins, holding off a late Michigan State charge to knock off the Spartans 24-17 on Homecoming Saturday. It was OSU’s 18th straight Big Ten win, and it solidified their hold on the country’s #1 ranking.
It was an absolutely gorgeous autumn afternoon as most of the 105,287 fans bathed in bright sunlight for a good chunk of the ballgame. Just as the case had been in West Lafayette two weeks ago, this 38th meeting of the Bucks and Spartans would match the Big Ten’s top offense against its premier defense.
Things got off to a shaky start for the Scarlet and Gray. Austin Spitler was hit with an unnecessary roughness call on the opening kickoff return, and since Ray Small had only managed to get to his own 14, the ball went back to the 7. The retreat continued on the next snap as guard Ben Person was whistled for a false start, making the line of scrimmage the Buckeye 3. Chris Wells pounded for 3, then just like that the tide turned. C-Dub took a pitchout to the right, shook away from a pair of tacklers and steamed down the west sideline for 47 yards before corner T.J. Williams tripped him up at the MSU 46. It was Ohio State’s longest run of the season thus far, and may have gone for a school-record 93-yarder if Brian Robiskie had gotten his block on Williams.
Michigan State got the Big Ten’s #2-ranked running game on track, with Javon Ringer and receiver Devin Thomas moving the sticks on the ground, but the defense rose to the challenge and forced an Aaron Bates punt. Small and Hartline let it go and the ball was downed at the 1.
Ohio State got a big break early in the second as Doug Worthington scooped a low Brian Hoyer throw at the Spartan 29 for his first career pick. In what would be a harbinger of things to come, MSU sent major heat right up the middle after Todd Boeckman on 2nd-and-11 but the junior signal caller found a lonesome Jake Ballard for 16 and a first down. Chris Wells banged out 9 yards on three carries, setting up a 4th-and-1 at the Green and White 5. Coach Tressel didn’t hesitate to roll the dice and called on C-Dub once more, and the burly tailback rewarded his coach’s faith by bouncing outside a pile of bodies and going in around the right side. The 5-yard scoring jaunt put Chris over the century mark rushing for the day and upped the Scarlet and Gray lead to 17-0.
Michigan State couldn’t seem to do anything right against the OSU defense. Brian Hoyer drilled a picture slant to Devin Thomas for 19 yards, but the play was called back on a hold. Punter Aaron Bates threw more gas on the fire with a 19-yard boot, giving the Bucks great field position at the MSU 30.
After missing Brian Hartline on a crossing route for his first incompletion in 11 throws on the day, Todd Boeckman came right back with an 8-yard strike to Hartline for a first down. But the Spartan defense held tough, then Ryan Pretorius’ 37-yard field goal try was blocked and MSU took over at its own 9.
Four straight runs by Javon Ringer moved the football to the Spartan 23, and Michigan State was also the beneficiary of a big break as Ringer was ruled down on the last of those four totes, even though replay showed that Larry Grant had stripped the ball out and the Bucks had recovered. Another nice slant to Thomas gained 10, but then Hoyer overthrew Thomas deep, and a screen to fullback Andrew Hawken lost 3 as Malcolm Jenkins sniffed it out. Ray Small brought Aaron Bates’ punt back to the OSU 46, but the offense couldn’t get revved up and the half came to a close with the Buckeyes up 17-0.
With Homecoming festivities in full swing, Ohio State paid tribute to some of its legends. At the end of the first quarter, several members of the 1957 national championship team were introduced in the north endzone. The team was celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 9-1 campaign that was capped off with a Rose Bowl win over Oregon and earned them the UPI’s #1 rating. At the half, "Super Soph" quarterback Rex Kern was honored for his election to the College Football Hall Of Fame. Rex led the Bucks to a 27-2 record from 1968-70, including the 1968 national crown and three Big Ten championships.
The Buckeyes got off to a roaring start on their opening possession of the second half as Chris Wells bolted for 10 and 12 on back-to-back runs. But the well ran dry as Boeckman misfired twice for Brian Hartline, forcing a punt. Kellen Davis and Deon Curry had first down receptions from Brian Hoyer, but Vernon Gholston and James Laurinaitis teamed up for a sack, then Dexter Larimore got credit for one also as he drove center John Masters into Hoyer, dropping the quarterback for a 4-yard loss.
Chris Wells looked to be hemmed in deep in the backfield on his next carry, but he escaped Ervin Baldwin and Travis Key, picked up a block from Boeckman and reversed field for 27 yards into Michigan State territory. Following a pair of 5-yard penalties, Maurice Wells picked up 2 to midfield, and then Boeckman faked to Mo, rolled right, and fired long to an embarrassingly open Brian Robiskie for six. Robo’s 7th touchdown catch of ’07 put OSU out front 24-0.
When Michigan State went three-and-out on their ensuing drive, it appeared their chances were about as bright as the Ohio Stadium field, which was by now blanketed in late afternoon shadows. C-Dub broke off another big chunk of yardage, a 13-yard scamper to midfield, and it looked like the Bucks were preparing for the knockout punch. But the MSU defense forced a 3rd-and-10, and defensive end Brandon Long blew right by Steve Rehring and was all over Boeckman before he could set up. Todd hurried a throw towards Brian Hartline, but Otis Wiley jumped the route and sped 54 yards to the endzone with the errant aerial. The crowd bemoaned another shutout going by the boards as the Spartans made it a 24-7 contest.
Slowly, the wheels seemed to be coming off the Buckeye wagon. Ray Small fumbled the ensuing kickoff but managed to corral it before being dropped at his 21. OSU got a break as T.J. Williams was called for interference on a bomb for Robiskie that was overthrown and which Williams could have made a play on without the bump. It was only a momentary reprieve, as Alex Boone was called for a false start, bringing up 1st-and-15.
Up in the radio booth, color analyst Jim Lachey was mentioning how quiet Spartan defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic had been all game long. Saint-Dic was the MSU sack leader with 8, and was in a tie with former Penn State defender Michael Haynes for most forced fumbles in a season with 7. Saint-Dic went one up on Haynes on the next snap, barreling in to strip Boeckman of the football. Linebacker Sirdarean Adams got a friendly bounce and motored 22 yards to the house for MSU’s second defensive score within 56 seconds. All of a sudden the lead was down to 10 at 24-14. Memo to Jim Lachey- next time, let sleeping dogs lie. ABC, of course, utilized the opportunity to drag out the footage of Joe Germaine throwing the game-ending interception in then top-ranked Ohio State’s 28-24 loss to the Spartans in 1998.
On the Buckeyes’ first play of the next series, over 105,000 collective hearts moved into throats as Chris Wells was stripped by Hilliard, Ohio native Antonio Jeremiah. Two white-shirted Spartans tried to pick the football up, but Wells was able to get back on it for a nine-yard loss. Jim Tressel couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but I’m sure he was well aware that his former D-coor, Mark Dantonio, was bringing the dogs and the OSU offense didn’t seem to have an answer. This was punctuated two plays later as Greg Jones dropped Boeckman for a 6-yard loss. Mercifully, the third quarter came to a close but the Spartan defense had gotten their team back in the game.
Chris Wells continued to nickel-and-dime the MSU defense on Ohio State’s first fourth quarter possession. Backed up to his own 4, Todd Boeckman called on Wells four straight times for 13 yards. Dane Sanzenbacher hauled in a pair of strikes from Boeckman for 9 yards each before C. Dub came back with his own 9-yard pickup, giving OSU a first down at their 44. But for the third time on the afternoon, Ben Person was whistled for a false start, and the running game couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Mark Dantonio reached into his bag of tricks when the Spartans got the ball back. Devin Thomas let fly with an option pass on first down but it was well short of Kellen Davis. Brian Hoyer got the ball into Thomas’ hands the old fashioned way on second down, hooking up with his leading receiver for a 40-yard catch-and-run on a skinny post. Since Kellen Davis hadn’t gotten to Thomas’ pass on the first play of the drive, the Spartan offensive braintrusts let him try the option pass, but with no one open he was dragged down for a yard loss. Hoyer went back to his moneyman and Thomas responded by snaring a 21-yard toss for a first down at the Buckeye 21. The crowd was becoming a bit uneasy and the defense copped a quick attitude. Javon Ringer was thrown for a two-yard loss, Kurt Coleman sacked Hoyer for another loss of 2, and finally Terry Love was absolutely blasted by Cameron Heyward as a throw over the middle fell incomplete. Brett Swenson nailed a 43-yard field goal, and with 3:42 left the OSU lead was 24-17.
The Bucks anticipated on onside kick, but Todd Boleski kicked away and Brandon Saine played it safe, taking a knee at the OSU 16. For all those that had questioned Chris Wells’ toughness this season as he has battled an ongoing ankle injury, the sophomore tailback was about to provide an emphatic answer. There’s probably no tougher going for a runningback than when the entire defense, not to mention both teams, everyone in person and the masses watching on television, know you’re coming with the football. C-Dub had chewed up big chunks of yardage during the day, but he saved his best for last.
Sitting on 185 yards for the game, Wells got the rock seven straight times, picking up three first downs and milking the remainder of the clock. His final total of 221 yards gave him a new personal high and was the 15th 200-yard-plus performance in OSU history, the first since Maurice Clarett racked up 230 against Washington State in 2002.
The Buckeyes return to the scene of their last regular season defeat this Saturday night as they visit Happy Valley for an 8PM prime-time tilt with Penn State on ABC. Meanwhile, Michigan State visits Kinnick Stadium to meet Iowa. The Spartans haven’t won in Iowa City since 1989.
RANDOM THOUGHTS- The Buckeye defense has yet to allow a point in the first quarter this season. Akron’s safety is the only blight on an 80-2 first period advantage ... Just as a frame of reference, through 8 games this season Todd Boeckman has thrown 18 touchdown passes. At this same point last year, Troy Smith had 21 ... A win at Beaver Stadium on Saturday would tie Ohio State with TBGUN for the most consecutive Big Ten wins with 19. UM lost 24-23 to Iowa in 1990, then rattled off the 19 straight wins in conference before tying Illinois 22-22 in 1992. Actually, after Ohio State beat Michigan 21-6 in 1984, the Wolverines’ league mark over the next eight years was a blistering 53-7-3. Jim Tressel’s Big Ten record currently stands at 42-10.
BRIDESMAID BLUES- The three consecutive losses by the #2 team in the country (USC’s loss to Stanford, Cal’s loss to Oregon State and South Florida’s stumble at Rutgers) mark the fifth time that has happened. With current #2 Boston College set to visit #8 Virginia Tech this week, and with the way this season has gone, no one should be surprised if history is made Thursday night. The other streaks of 3 straight losses by #2-
YEAR
GAME DATE #2 TEAM SCORE, OPPONENT
GAME DATE #2 TEAM SCORE, OPPONENT1941 Nov. 15 Texas 7-14, TCU
Nov. 15 Texas 7-14, TCU Nov. 22 Texas A&M Bye week Nov. 29 Texas A&M 0-23, #10 Texas Jan. 1, 1942 Duke 16-20, Oregon St.*1964 Sept. 26 Oklahoma 14-40, Southern Cal
Sept. 26 Oklahoma 14-40, Southern Cal Oct. 3 Southern Cal 7-17, Michigan State Oct. 10 Illinois 0-26, #4 Ohio State1980/1981 Dec. 6, 1980 Notre Dame 3-20, Southern Cal
Dec. 6, 1980 Notre Dame 3-20, Southern Cal Jan. 1, 1981 Florida State 17-18, #4 Oklahoma** Sept. 5, 1981 Oklahoma Bye Sept. 12, 1981Alabama 21-24, Georgia Tech2001 Nov. 23 Nebraska 36-62, Colorado
Nov. 23 Nebraska 36-62, Colorado Dec. 1 Florida 32-34, #5 Tennessee Dec. 8 Tennessee 20-31, LSU*** * Rose Bowl
** Orange Bowl
*** SEC Championship Game
A look at Penn State’s all-time record against #1-ranked teams (3 wins, 9 losses)
YEAR#1 OPPONENT W-LSCORE
#1 OPPONENT W-LSCORE 1937 at Pitt L 7-28
at Pitt L 7-28 1953 at Michigan State L 7-34
at Michigan State L 7-34 1966 at Michigan State L 8-42
at Michigan State L 8-42 1976 at Pitt L 7-24
at Pitt L 7-24 1981 at Pitt W 48-14
at Pitt W 48-14 1983 Georgia W 27-23 (Sugar Bowl, #2 Lions win title)
Georgia W 27-23 (Sugar Bowl, #2 Lions win title) 1987 Miami, FL W 14-10 (Fiesta Bowl, PSU wins crown again)
Miami, FL W 14-10 (Fiesta Bowl, PSU wins crown again) 1988 at Notre Dame L 3-21
at Notre Dame L 3-21 1989 Notre Dame L 23-34 (only time PSU has hosted #1 team)
Notre Dame L 23-34 (only time PSU has hosted #1 team) 1990 at Notre Dame L 21-24
at Notre Dame L 21-24 1998 at Ohio State L 9-28
at Ohio State L 9-28 2006 at Ohio State L 6-28
at Ohio State L 6-28Click B50 Logo to return to Home Page
October 20th, 2007
Ohio Stadium
Columbus OH
Attendance 105,287
10/22/07
(1) Ohio State 24 Michigan State 17
VS
Todd Boeckman then took to the air, hooking up with Brian Hartline for 18 yards as the sophomore wideout made a tremendous leaping catch. After Mo Wells lost a yard, Boeckman connected with Jake Ballard for 5 and went back to Hartline for 10 more and a first down at the Spartan 14. Coming out of a nice fake on the next play, Boeckman tossed in the right flat to a wide-open Ballard. The Springboro native had to leave his feet to haul it in, and had just enough balance as he landed to catapult himself into the endzone for his first touchdown of the season. Ryan Pretorious was true with the point-after, and Ohio State’s 5th consecutive opening-drive score gave them a quick 7-0 lead.
MSU’s defenders forced a 3rd-and-9, but the Bucks got off the hook as Boeckman floated one to Robiskie for 42 yards. Robo, trying to run an out-and-up, had been barely forced out of bounds by T.J. Williams, but the official missed it and Boeckman’s pass was right where it needed to be. Striking while the iron was hot, Chris Wells took a handoff to the left, made a nice cutback and flew for 35 more yards down to the Spartan 21. The offense was humming, but another false start on Person slowed the onslaught, and then OSU got a break as Justin Kershaw (97) , a native of Gregg Watson’s hometown of Reynoldsburg, couldn’t get the handle on an ill-advised screen toss from Boeckman to Mo Wells. Pretorious was called on for the field goal try and came through from 41 yards out, boosting the Buckeyes into a 10-0 lead that they would hold after one period.
By Joe-S-U
