Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — Sparked by All-America linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer’s 20-yard interception return for a touchdown, ninth-ranked Ohio State jumped out to a 28-0 lead over visiting Arizona and then withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Wildcats for a 28-20 win. The 3-0 Buckeyes opened the scoring with a six-yard pass from Stanley Jackson to David Boston with 9:13 to play in the first half. Arizona took over on its own 20, but on the first play from scrimmage, Katzenmoyer intercepted a shovel pass and rumbled untouched into the end zone for a 14-0 OSU lead. The Buckeyes made it 21-0 just before halftime on a one-yard run by tailback Pepe Pearson, his first TD of the year. The Buckeyes scored their final touchdown on a 24-yard draw play by Jackson that capped off a 71-yard drive with 7:13 to play in the third quarter. Quarterback Keith Smith tried to bring the Wildcats back single-handedly in the fourth quarter. Smith put his team on the scoreboard with a nine-yard quarterback draw of his own with 12:27 to play and then hit a pair of touchdown passes in the final seven minutes to close the gap to eight. Smith’s final TD toss came with 2:31 to play, but when the Buckeyes’ Kevin Griffin recovered the on-side kick attempt, the Wildcats went down to their second defeat in three starts.

NOTES: John Cooper became the third-winningest coach in Ohio State history (79-29-4) with the win over the Wildcats. He passes John W. Wilce (1913-1928).

Senior Eric Gohlstin moved over to start at the left guard position due to Rob Murphy’s injured ankle. Gohlstin has now started at three of the five offensive line positions (center and right tackle as well).

Sophomore Kurt Murphy earned his first career start at center.

David Boston saw his first career defensive action, at safety, in the third quarter. He also recorded his first career tackle.

Linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer’s second quarter, 20-yard interception return for a touchdown marked his second career score off an interception, tying him with Neal Colzie, William White and David Brown for the school record.

Kevin Griffin was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. Griffin recorded three tackles on the kickoff team, one tackle of the punter, and recovered a crucial on-side kick with 2:26 remaining in the game.

OSU starting linebackers Kevin Johnson, Jerry Rudzinski and Andy Katzenmoyer combined for 35 tackles.