Buckeyes Hold Off Spartans: Nittany Lions Up Next

By Adam Kiefaber

The Buckeyes almost blew a comfortable lead against Michigan State this past Saturday.

However, the focus of that win isn’t how OSU held on, but on who the Buckeyes have to beat next.

Ohio State has won 18 straight games against Big Ten opponents. Its last loss coming in 2005 (Oct. 8th) to Penn State. In that game, the Buckeyes lost by a score of 17-10.

One could expect a similar score this upcoming weekend, as the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions have top-ranked defenses. Ohio State (No. 1) has allowed only 7.9 points per game while Penn State (tied for fourth) has only allowed 15 per game.

While the national media will be focusing on this Saturday night’s football game, the Buckeyes almost didn’t hold up their part of the bargain.

Halfway through the third quarter, quarterback Todd Boeckman tossed a 50-yard touchdown to Brian Robiskie, making the score 24-0.

The Buckeyes, with the game in hand, almost blew their favorable lead.

With 3:52 left in the third quarter, MSU’s Otis Wiley (above - right) picked off a Boeckman pass and raced it 54 yards for a touchdown.

Then after one play and two consecutive penalties, Boeckman fumbled. Spartan Sir Darean Adams picked it up and scored on a 25-yard fumble return, making the score 24-14 with 2:56 left in the third quarter.

Then on the Buckeyes’ next offensive play, running back Chris Wells fumbled. The ball bounced off multiple Spartan defenders until Chris Wells fell on the ball at the Buckeyes’ 14-yard line. If the Spartans’ would have just have fallen on the ball, MSU could have made the score 21-24 with a touchdown.

Michigan State got a 43-yard field goal from Brett Swenson with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes were able to run out the clock and hold onto a 24-17 victory.

A banged up Chris Wells had his best performance of his career. He finished with 221 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown.