Buckeyes Upend Lions in Big 10 Opener, 45-6

Unbeaten Ohio State began its quest for a 30th Big 10 championship Saturday with a 45-6 victory over Penn State in Columbus. 98,144 fans braved heavy thunderstorms to watch this classic battle of border rivals on the banks of the Olentangy River. Attempting to avenge last year's 23-10 defeat to the Nittany Lions and improve on their 3-5-conference mark from a year ago, 14th ranked Ohio State controlled the game from the outset.

"I thought we needed to get up on them early," said Ohio State head Coach John Cooper, "especially with the weather. To get a 14 - 0 lead in the first quarter was critical. Our first drive set the tone for the whole game, I thought Steve (Bellisari) played his best game."

Ohio State lost the coin toss and Penn State chose to defer. With heavy rains and a struggling, young offense, this seemed a sound field position strategy for the Nittany Lions. Due to an Ohio State clip on the opening kick-off return, the Buckeyes were forced to start on their own 8 yard-line.

With 92 yards to go on a rain-soaked field, Ohio State went to work. Buckeye running back Derek Combs rushed five times, for 40 of his 96 yards for the day. Quarterback Steve Bellisari opened up the OSU passing attack with two sideline passes, to Jamar Martin for 13 yards and to Chad Cacchio for 35 yards. Jamar Martin capped the 10 play scoring drive with a one-yard plunge over left tackle.

After Penn State went three and out on their first series of downs, Ohio State was back at the plate. PSU came out set to shut down the run. On their second drive, the Buckeyes handed off three times to Derek Combs for a net loss of five yards. Bellisari responded by going vertical with a thirty-seven yard pass to Ken-Yon Rambo to the PSU 11 yard line. After a Combs loss of seven, Ohio State was sitting on the Lion 18 yard line with the stage set for Penn State's first emotional setback of the day. Steve Bellisari's next pass was tipped in the end zone by Lion safety James Boyd, only to be caught by tight-end Darnell Sanders for a touchdown. 14 - 0 Buckeyes, first quarter.

When asked after the game about the tipped touchdown, Paterno only said, "It is one of those years, and that's one of those things. You can't go into a shell over it; that's how life is."

Paterno came prepared to show his team, by example, that they had to take some risks and could not be afraid. Down by two touchdowns, and needing to gain some real estate and some momentum, the Nittany Lions pieced together a solid 13-play drive, mostly on the ground, with a strong performance by the offensive line. Paterno uncharacteristically went for fourth and one twice during this drive, once successfully. Although the Lions did not score during this series, Casey was effective at avoiding the rush; the offensive line blocked well, there were no penalties, and the Lions showed poise and patience.

Both defenses held their ground more firmly for the remainder of the half. OSU would add three points on a 31 yard field goal before the half ended with the score 17 - 0 in favor of the Buckeyes.

Penn State would close the gap in the third quarter after being the beneficiary of a short, 22-yard punt by Ohio State punter B.J. Sander, who otherwise enjoyed a stellar day with a 45.3-yard average on four punts. Starting at the OSU 33-yard line, with their best field position of the day, the Lions scored on three plays, highlighted by a 25 yard reception by senior wide receiver Kenny Watson and finished with a two-yard sweep by Eric McCoo. The point after was no good, leaving Penn State down by only 11 points with just under ten minutes left in the third period - plenty of time. "In the third quarter I thought we were going to make a run for it, but we just couldn't get it done," lamented Paterno after the game.

At key points, in big games, good teams answer, and Ohio State proceeded to show why they are 4 - 0, and well positioned to win the Big Ten Conference. Steve Bellisari would answer the Penn State score by orchestrating a 93-yard, 11 play drive that was the beginning of the end for the Lions. John Cooper thought so, stating, "The drive when we answered the Penn State TD was very important in the momentum of the game."

Up by a score of 24 -6, Ohio State would add three more unanswered touchdowns, with one by the defense. The Buckeyes finished with 397 total net yards, compared to Penn State's 213. The final tally, OSU 45 - PSU - 6, is the worst loss ever by a Paterno coached team and the Lions have not been the holders of a 1 - 4 record since 1964 when Coach Rip Engle was the head man. That squad pieced together a five game winning streak to finish 6 - 4 on the year.

Asked before the game about the possibility of a let down against a 1-3 Penn State, OSU head coach John Cooper mentioned, "Certainly when you play a team the caliber of Penn State, coached by one of the legendary coaches?? you don't take them lightly." With the win, Cooper upped his record to 5-3 against Penn State, and 64-14-1 at home in Columbus. With the exception of last year's 6-6 season, Cooper has led the Buckeyes to a first or second place conference finish every year since 1991. To return to the top of the conference, Cooper must use an upcoming bye week to have his Buckeyes ready for their next important road showdown with sixth ranked Wisconsin - trying to rebound from a stunning double overtime loss to Northwestern. . Penn State battles Purdue on September 30.

The Buckeyes retired the number 31 of 1950 Heisman Trophy winning halfback Vic Janowicz at halftime of the game. The number of Janowicz was just the second football number to be retired by Ohio State. Archie Griffin, who won the Heisman in 1975 and 1976, was so honored last year.