Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — Seniors Pepe Pearson rushed for 111 yards and Stanley Jackson passed for two scores in their final home game as fourth-ranked Ohio State rolled to a 41-6 rout of winless Illinois in a Big Ten contest. It was the fifth-straight lopsided win for Ohio State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) since a 31-27 loss at Penn State on October 11th. Illinois (0-10, 0-7), enduring a tough season under first-year coach Ron Turner, suffered its 16th consecutive loss, including 13 straight Big Ten losses, to set a school record. Pearson and Jackson were among the seniors playing their final game at Ohio Stadium. Pearson, who rushed for 165 yards in a 48-0 win last year at Illinois, scored on runs of 40 and four yards. Jackson, who played in the first half and just one series in the second half, hit David Boston and tight end Steve Wisniewski with touchdown passes of 17 and nine yards, respectively. Jackson completed 9-of-13 passes for 93 yards and improved to 21-1 as a starter. Joe Germaine, who alternates with Jackson and ranks second nationally in passing, was 7-of-11 for 96 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Boston, one of 10 finalists for the 1997 Biletnikoff Award, caught scoring passes of 17 and four yards.

Cornerback Ahmed Plummer returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown late in the first half for the Buckeyes. Robert Holcombe, the only bright spot for Illinois, rushed for 143 yards on 32 carries. He has rushed for 1,168 yards this season. Illinois averted a shutout on the final play of the game when fourth-string Ohio State quarterback Steve Gehlert fumbled and cornerback Trevor Starghill returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. The Buckeyes earned their 700th win in school history with the win, improving to 700-274-52 overall.

NOTES: Sophomore middle linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer’s blocked kick in the first quarter was the first of his career.

The Ohio State defense has 549 interception return yards this season. This number eclipses the old mark of 428 yards set in 1986.

In the last five wins, the Buckeyes have outscored their opponents by a whopping score of 189-28. Ohio State has now won 10 or more games three straight seasons, accomplishing that feat just once before (from 1973 to 1975).

Sophomore receiver David Boston has 67 receptions this season, the second-most in school history. Cris Carter holds the school record with 69 catches in 1986.