Buckeye Breather

They can take a few deep breaths in Columbus after a close call in week five of college football. Second-ranked, Ohio State too their undefeated campaign to Champaign, Illinois on Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes’ Big 10 opener proved to be a battle, with the nation’s number two team prevailing 24-13. Ohio State overcame a rather grim melee during their first road trip of the season. The scrappy 2-2 Fighting Illini tested visiting OSU at Memorial Stadium, holding the Bucks to their fewest yards in 11 games. But the Buckeyes milked the clock, relying on a bonified defense and robust running game to stave off the Illini. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed 9-of-16 passes for just 76 yards. The Ohio State signal caller threw two touchdowns and was intercepted once in Jim Tressel’s 99th win as Buckeyes’ head coach. Pryor was also injured, missing chunks of the conference contest’s third quarter. The junior slinger suffered a strained thigh muscle, but returned to finish the game.
The Buckeyes went three-and-out to start the game in red-clad Memorial Stadium. Illinois quarterback, Nathan Scheelhaase’s three yard run gave the home team a 7-0 edge midway through the first stanza. Scheelhaase converted a 3rd-and-9 to Jarred Fayson to keep the chains moving for Illinois and scored on a third down scramble moments later for the game’s first touchdown. Ohio State’s defense uncharacteristically gave up a touchdown and five first downs in the first quarter, but found their rhythm the rest of the game. Scheelhaase was sacked three times and picked off once in the loss. He was held without a touchdown despite tossing over 100 yards and completing over half of his 22 passes.
Brandon Saine finished off a 74 yard Ohio State drive by hauling in an eight yard pass from Pryor on the fourth play of the drive. Saine’s touchdown tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. Illinois took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter on Derek Dimke’s 27 yard field goal with 1:50 remaining. The Buckeyes were determined not to go into the break trialing the unranked Illini by three. The Illini dominated time of possession in the first half. Ohio State held the ball for just over 13 minutes, but it was the final 45 seconds that changed the game’s momentum in favor of the scarlet and gray. Pryor found Dane Sanzenbacher in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown as the first half ended. Just like that OSU carried a four point lead into the locker room. Sanzenbacher finished with three receptions for 35 yards and a score. The Buckeyes would not trail again.
Ohio State still led 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter after neither team found the end zone in the third. The third quarter featured a trade of turnovers. Jermale Hines intercepted Scheelhaase to give OSU a first down at the Illini 44. Joe Bauserman, filling in for the injured Pryor, overthrew his receiver and gave the ball right back to the home team. Pryor returned before the start of the fourth quarter and threw the ball four times. The Buckeyes had 20 rushes after Pryor’s return. Dan Herron ran for 95 yards during the game. Pryor orchestrated a 59 yard drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes of the third and fourth quarter. The Buckeye defense was strong, holding 100-yard rusher, Mike Leshoure to 80 yards.
Devin Barclay created some breathing room for the Bucks with a 32-yarder through the uprights with 8:27 left on the clock. Dimke gave the Illini another three, pulling the home team within four points with less than five minutes remaining. The Illini were faced with a 4th-and-7 with four minutes remaining, but chose to punt instead of go for the first down. They never got another chance. Herron, with just six yards at halftime, pounded out 89 yards in the second half. The tailback stamped home the final touchdown of the day on a six yard run and an 11 point margin. OSU was helped by an offsides call on Illini cornerback, Justin Green. The Bucks were aided by an Illini penalty earlier in the game also. The extra point attempt following Saine’s touchdown was blocked, but a penalty against Ron Zook’s team gave Barclay a second kick.

Parting Points: The Yankees split the twinbill with the Sox. Now it’s time to win the division. At least Andy Pettitte looked solid.