Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Minneapolis, MN — The No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes capitalized on a pair of fourth quarter field goals by Dan Stultz to defeat No. 24 Minnesota, 20-17, in the Metrodome.

The Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Cornerback Nate Clements intercepted a pass by Golden Gopher quarterback Billy Cockerham and returned the ball to the UM 5-yard line Two plays later, Michael Wiley scored on a 3-yard run.

Early in the second quarter Cockerham capped off a seven-play, 53-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.

Five minutes later, UM increased its lead to 10-7 when Dan Nystrom kicked a 30-yard field goal.

The score remained unchanged until midway through the third quarter. With 9:06 remaining, Austin Moherman entered the game for OSU at quarterback and proceeded to march the team downfield. The sophomore quickly went 2-for-3 for 27 yards to set up Wiley’s second score of the afternoon. The senior tailback exploded through the Minnesota defense for a 44-yard touchdown rush, giving OSU a 14-10 lead.

A Moherman fumble that put the ball on the UM 48-yard line set up the Gopher’s final score. Tailback Thomas Hamner culminated a five-play, 52-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, giving UM a 17-14 lead going into the fourth quarter.

With 8:13 remaining, starting quarterback Steve Bellisari re-entered the game. On his first play from scrimmage, OSU ran a trick play. Wiley took a half-back option sweep over the right side. Bellisari proceeded to slip down the left side of the field, where Wiley connected with him for a 28-yard completion. Four plays later, Stultz connected from 43 yards to tie the game at 17-17.

After the UM offense went three-and-out, OSU began its drive from their own 38-yard line. The Buckeyes then marched down the field with a 10-play, 40-yard drive to set up Stultz’s heroics. With just 1:15 left in the game, Stultz hit a 40-yard field goal to give OSU the lead for good.

Defensive for Ohio State, Ahmed Plummer and James Cotton led the team with seven tackles each. Cotton along with Mike Collins and Joe Cooper each recorded a quarterback sack.