TicketsSept. 16, 2006
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Buckeyes showed why they are the nation's No. 1 team, but the Bearcats proved that they could compete with the best before losing, 37-7, before 105,037 in Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State, who improved to 3-0, rolled up 444 yards in total offense, while the defense stymied Cincinnati's passing attack with eight sacks.
The Bearcats, who fell to 1-2, led through much of the first half and had opportunities to extend their margin. UC played OSU fairly evenly through the first 35 minutes.
Troy Smith rallied the Buckeyes through the air, completing 21 of 30 passes for 203 yards and a pair of TDs, both to All-American candidate Ted Ginn, Jr., while Antonio Pittman, who finished with 155 yards in 16 carries, provided ground support.
"We came to play today," stated UC head coach Mark Dantonio. "We started well with a solid first half. At halftime, I told them to play one play at a time. We sustained in the third but started to fall apart at the end. The defense played well but ran out of gas.:
Ohio State scored on its first possession of the game on a 47-yard field goal by Aaron Pettry. The Bearcats responded with a five-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Dustin Grutza scrambled for 23 yards on a third-and-3 situation, then found freshman Jared Martin in the end zone for a 22-yard TD. It was Martin's first career reception.
OSU reached the UC 26 early in the second period, but the Bearcat defense held and the Buckeyes settled for a 43-yard field goal by Pettrey.
The Bearcats failed to take advantage of two other opportunities. Following OSU's second field goal, Dominick Goodman returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards into Buckeye territory. UC came up short on a third-and-1 situation on the 40 and was forced to punt. Ohio State took advantage with a nine-play, 80-yard drive, Smith hitting Ginn for a 12-yard TD that gave OSU the lead.
Cincinnati advanced to the OSU 42 just before half, but Grutza suffered the first of two interceptions. Brent Celek broke open behind the defense in what could have been a touchdown play, but linebacker James Laurinaitis deflected the ball and then caught it.
Ohio State added a touchdown in the third quarter on a nine-yard Smith-to-Ginn strike. The Bearcats unraveled in the final period. Anthony Pittman broke free for a 48-yard run down the left sidelines for a TD. The Buckeyes turned an interception thrown by wide receiver Bill Poland into a score and added a 52-yard field goal by Ryan Pretorius.
"Ohio State has a good defense. (David) Patterson is one of the best defensive linemen I have ever seen play as a freshman," noted Dantonio. "I give Ohio State credit. They had no turnovers. If you don't turn the ball over and have a good football team like they do, they are tough to beat."
Grutza completed a respectable 18 of 22 passes for 202 yards but had interceptions. Nick Davila was perfect in two tries for 14 yards, playing the Bearcats' final series. The rushing game was stymied for minus-4 yards, though UC lost 35 yards in sacks.
The schedule for the Bearcats gets easier--barely. UC visits No. 14 Virginia Tech next Saturday (Sept. 23).
BEARCAT BITS
Tight end Brent Celek extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 15. Celek, with three receptions for 39 yards, topped the UC career record for receiving yards by a tight end. He finished with 800 career receiving yards, topping the previous mark of 791 set by Kris Bjorson (1989-92).
Dominick Goodman's 53-yard kickoff return was the longest of the sophomore's career and the longest by a Bearcat since Marshwan Gilyard's 60-yard return vs. Pittsburgh last season (Oct. 8, 2006).
Dustin Grutza's 23-yard run was the longest run from scrimmage this season by a Bearcat and a career long for the third-year sophomore.
Derrick Stewart recorded career highs with five receptions for 64 yards.
Sophomore Curtis Young garnered his first career sack.
The setback marked the first time in eight games during Mark Dantonio's tenure as head coach that Cincinnati had lost after owning a lead at the end of the first quarter of play.