Buckeyes off to 2-0 start
In 1998, both Ohio State and Arizona had awesome seasons. The Buckeyes ended up 11-1, losing only in that horrible game to Michigan State (the game everyone is trying to erase from their minds), while the same year, the Wildcats also finished with one loss. And then last year the bottom fell out for both teams; who each finished 6-6. The Wildcats had high expections going in, then got crushed by Penn State in their opener. Ohio State just couldn't replace all the stars that had departed.
Both teams looked to show that last year was just a fluke. It was the Buckeyes who emerged from the desert with the win. Although it was an ugly game, it still counts as a win in the standings. The Buckeyes were penalized 13 times, one short of a school record. But in the end, the Buckeyes overcame a halftime deficit to return home 2-0.
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Offense strikes back with big plays
The Ohio State offense is finally starting to click. Last week, they could only muster one offensive touchdown and didn't play that well. In front of a hostile Arizona crowd though, the offense finally started to click, connecting on big plays and wearing down the 'Zona defense.
The Buckeyes found themselves trailing 17-10 after the first half, but evened the score when Steve Bellisari hooked up with Chad Cacchio for a 60 yard TD bomb. The second big offensive play was a 42 yard pass to Reggie Germany, that set up a first and goal from the one. From that spot, Jonathon Wells plunged into the endzone for what would turn out to be the game winning score.
It was a real relief to see the Buckeyes be able to pound out a long, time consuming drive. Trailing 7-3, the Buckeyes drove 74 yards for a score in the first half.
Capping off that drive, Bellisari found a wide open Tim Cheatwood, a former linebacker, for his first catch and first TD.
Bellisari was 12-20 for 240 yards, and 2 TD's.
Chad Cacchio has caught two passes this year; both for TD's. He caught a 60 yarder against the Wildcats, and had a 23 yard catch against Fresno St.
Derek Combs and Jonathon Wells combined for only 88 yards and had 1 TD.
Rambo had 5 catches for 51 yards, while Germany had 2 for 58.
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Are the Silver Bullets back?
In 1998, the ferocious OSU defense was referred to as the Silver Bullets because of the way they flew to the ball. After taking a year off, it seems as if the Silver Bullets are back. Against Fresno St. they scored 4 defensive touchdowns. Against Arizona, they were able to shut down the Arizona offense; epescially mobile QB Ortege Jenkins.
The Buckeyes had an exceptional second half effort, stopping Arizona on every possession. They gave a chance for the offense to score some points, which kept the 'Zona defense on the field for much of the second half.
Although they didn't score any touchdowns this week, the revamped Silver Bullets put a clamp on 'Zona's offense. The only two scores came on a big play and after a fumble recovery deep in OSU territory.
The Buckeyes sacked Jenkins 8 times.
The Buckeyes were constantly breaking through the 'Zona offensive line, disrupting plays and hurrying Jenkins into making bad decisions.
Cooper and Collins lead the team with 6 tackles each.
Return to Buckeye Central
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The Buckeyes left Arizona with a well-earned win as both the offense and defense came up with big plays.