Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Bloomington, IN — Ohio State clinched a share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the Rose Bowl with a hard-fought victory over an inspired Indiana team.

The Hoosiers, playing their final home game of the year, battled the Buckeyes to a 10-10 draw midway through the fourth quarter. But the OSU defense, brilliant all-year, saved the day by causing three turnovers and scoring two touchdowns in the final six minutes and 18 seconds.

Freshman linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and senior defensive end Matt FInkes combined to make the play of the game. With the Hoosiers near midfield, Katzenmoyer stripped the football from IU quarterback Jay Rodgers and Finkes returned the loose leather 45 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

The defense struck again on IU’s next possession, forcing a Rodgers’ fumble that resulted in a 31-yard Josh Jackson field goal and a 20-10 Ohio State lead with 1:43 to play.

When strong safety Damon Moore picked off his fifth interception of the year and galloped 28 yards into the Indiana end zone, the Buckeyes were California bound.

Offensively, Joe Germaine was stellar again in relief, completing 15 of 27 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown after entering the game early in the first quarter. Freshman David Boston caught 13 of those passes for 153 yards and the lone TD of the day for the offense. Boston’s 13 receptions tied the school’s single-season record, originally set by Gary Williams against Florida State in 1981.

Tailback Pepe Pearson rushed for 130 yards on a career-high 37 carries to pace the OSU rushing attack.