Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — Minnesota spoiled Ohio State’s Homecoming celebration by knocking the fifth-ranked Buckeyes from the unbeaten ranks, 29-17, in Columbus.

The Gophers, abandoning their traditional offense in favor of a spread formation, kept the OSU defense off balance all day long.

Minnesota scored on its opening possession, taking a 3-0 lead on a 23-yard field goal by Dan Nystrom. The drive covered 71 yards.

On Ohio State’s first possession, Minnesota blocked a punt and recovered it at the Buckeyes’ 20-yard line. Four plays later, the Gophers led 10-0.

Kicker Dan Stultz got the Buckeyes on the board with a 32-yard field goal, but Minnesota scored again with three seconds left in the first quarter to take a surprising 17-3 lead after the first 15 minutes.

Jonathan Wells pulled the Buckeyes to within seven early in the second quarter with a 7-yard TD run, but Nystrom added a pair of field goals before halftime and Minnesota took a 23-10 lead into the locker room.

Ohio State closed the gap to 23-17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Gophers put the game out of reach with a touchdown of their own on their next possession.

The Buckeyes played the game without speedy tailback Derek Combs, who suffered a sprained ankle at Wisconsin.