Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett ran for 230 yards, including 194 in the second half, to lift No. 6 Ohio State to a 25-7 victory over No. 10 Washington State in front of 104,553 fans at Ohio Stadium.

Clarett’s 230 yards rushing on 31 carries were both career bests. His rushing total was the sixth-best single game total in OSU history and the second-highest mark for a freshman behind Archie Griffin’s 239 yards vs. North Carolina in 1972.

The Buckeyes struggled in the first half and trailed 7-6, at intermission. Washington State outgained Ohio State 189 to 109 yards in total offense in the first half, including a difference of 155 to 57 in passing yardage. Clarett had just 36 yards in the first half.

In the second half, Ohio State posted 254 yards of offense, 240 of which came by way of the ground attack. The Buckeye defense forced two interceptions and had two sacks against Washington State’s Jason Gesser. The WSU senior quarterback completed 25-of-44 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. For the Buckeyes, quarterback Craig Krenzel was 4-of-10 for 71 yards.

Ohio State forced a punt on Washington State’s opening possession of the second half and then drove 91 yards on just eight plays for the go-ahead score, a 3-yard run by Clarett. The freshman tailback opened the drive with a 44-yard rush over the left side. He also had carries of 6 and 20 yards on the drive. The score came at 8:37 in the third quarter and put the Buckeyes on top 13-7.

The Buckeyes extended their lead, 16-7 on a 45-yard field goal by Mike Nugent with 1:57 to play in the third quarter. The kick capped a six-play, 16-yard drive. The field goal was Nugent’s third of the game.

Washington State was forced to punt on the ensuing possession and the Buckeyes took a two-point gift when the snap went over the punter’s head and through the end zone. The safety gave the Buckeyes an 18-7 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

A 1-yard run by Clarett put the Buckeyes up, 25-7, with 10:41 to play in the game. The score capped a 10-play, 66-yard drive that guzzled up 4:58 off the clock.

Ohio State opened the game by scoring on its first possession. Kicker Mike Nugent made a 43-yard try to give the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead with 13:19 to go in the opening quarter. A 33-yard pass from Craig Krenzel to Mike Jenkins set up the score. Jenkins added a 16-yard grab to finish with 49 receiving yards.

Washington State countered with a touchdown on its initial drive, moving the ball 80 yards in 11 plays. The 5-yard completion from Jason Gesser to Devard Darling gave the Cougars a 7-3 lead with 8:33 to play in the first. Darling finished the game with six receptions for 65 yards.

Nugent pulled the Buckeyes within one, 7-6, with his second 43-yard field goal of the afternoon with 12:09 left in the second quarter. Lydell Ross had a 36-yard run in the drive.