Ohio State Game-by-Game Review

• By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jan 3, 2008

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Ohio State 38, Youngstown State 6

How Ohio State won: QB Todd Boeckman, in his first start replacing Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, threw for 225 yards and two TDs as the Buckeyes beat OSU coach Jim Tressel’s former team and in-state rival Youngstown State, a Football Championship Subdivision member, in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes scored on their first possession, on Boeckman’s 3-yard TD toss.

What else was big: WR Brian Robiskie had 153 yards on nine catches, while the Buckeyes defense held the Penguins to 85 rushing yards and just a pair of field goals.

Ohio State 20, Akron 2

How Ohio State won: RB Beanie Wells ran for 143 yards and pulled away after leading just 3-2 at halftime in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes turned the ball over five times, including three in the first half, and suffered a safety (Wells getting tackled in the end zone five minutes into the game) but found consistency in the second half as QB Todd Boeckman threw for two TDs.

What else was big: Wells, replacing NFL draft pick Antonio Pittman, had his first 100-yard game, while the defense held the Zips to three first downs and 69 total yards (three rushing).

Ohio State 33, Washington 14

How Ohio State won: RB Beanie Wells ran for 135 yards and a touchdown and QB Todd Boeckman threw for 218 yards and two TDs as the Buckeyes came to life after halftime for the second straight week. Trailing 7-3 at halftime, Ohio State took control with a 68-yard TD pass to WR Brian Robiskie and Wells’ 14-yard TD run, with the Buckeyes scoring 24 unanswered points in Seattle.

What else was big: LB James Laurinaitis had two interceptions, both deep in Ohio State territory, and had a key sack as the Buckeyes made three interceptions and recovered a fumble, with Kurt Coleman blocking a FG try early in the third quarter. Two plays after the block, Robiskie caught his long TD pass, and after Devon Torrence forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, the Buckeyes cashed in for a 17-7 lead.

How Ohio State won: WR Brian Robiskie and QB Todd Boeckman connected on three TD passes — 42, 28 and 19 yards — in the first 16 minutes and Northwestern had no rushing yards as the Buckeyes won in a romp in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State led 45-0 at halftime, when the Buckeyes held a 262-20 advantage in total yards. The Wildcats’ only score came on a 99-yard kickoff return.

What else was big: RB Beanie Wells ran for 100 yards and one TD and DE Vernon Gholston had two sacks and a 25-yard fumble recovery for a TD in the first quarter.

Ohio State 30, Minnesota 7