Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Evanston, IL — Freshman Maurice Clarett ran for two touchdowns, and personally outrushed Northwestern with his fourth-consecutive 100-yard game in a 27-16 OSU victory. Clarett finished with 140 yards.

Craig Krenzel completed 11 of 22 passes for 170 yards and ran for 62 yards as Ohio State improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1998.

It was the Buckeyes’ 23rd straight victory over Northwestern, a streak dating to 1971.

The Wildcats had plenty of chances to win, but they missed two field goals and had to settle for field goals on two other possessions inside the Ohio State 10.

Northwestern’s defense entered the game allowing 522 yards a game, including 309 rushing.

Shut out in the first period, the Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead on Lydell Ross‘ 3-yard run with 13:15 to play in the first half. They added another touchdown on Clarett’s 2-yard run with 2:43 left in the half, giving them a 14-9 lead.

Northwestern had a chance to recapture the momentum when Jason Wright ripped off a 31-yard run and followed it with a 29-yard reception, putting Northwestern at the Ohio State 4. But the Wildcats couldn’t get into the end zone, and David Wasielewski’s 18-yard field goal attempt was wide right just before halftime.

Ohio State looked like its old smashmouth self in the second half, with Clarett gaining 35 yards during an 11-play, 79-yard drive. He finished it off with a 20-yard run up the middle, diving over the goal line for the touchdown that gave Ohio State a 24-9 lead.

Northwestern lost 3 yards on the first two plays of its next series, and the game appeared to be just about over. But Brett Basanez hit Jon Schweighardt up the middle for a 36-yard gain.

The Wildcats got a break with a pass interference call on 3rd-and-8 at the Ohio State 45, getting a first down and 15 yards. Four plays later, Wright rumbled into the end zone.

But Ohio State answered right back with a field goal, and Northwestern never threatened again.