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Wiley, Stultz Golden in Big Win Over Gophers

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Last game: Penn State 23, Ohio State 10

Next game: Oct. 30th - Iowa at Ohio State

Kicker Dan Stultz celebrates his game tying, 43 yard field goal (at left) and then his game winning 40 yard field goal with 1:15 to go (at right).

Buckeyes Send Message: We're not done yet

Those watching the Minnesota - Ohio State game on Saturday probably thought they were about to witness the end of the Buckeyes. They trailed 10 to 7 at halftime, and their offense was once again going no where.

But unlike last week, when the Buckeyes offense couldn't come back against Penn State, they responded this week. The defense had another strong performance that kept the Buckeyes in the game.

The offense, the defense, and the leg of Dan Stultz, kept the Buckeyes from falling to 4-4 and in jeopardy of not making a bowl game. However, they pulled it together and for a moment the Bucks looked like the Bucks of last year. And thanks to a couple of upsets, the Buckeyes might even be playing on New Years Day.

Wiley still ticking

Finally, the Buckeyes offense gave the ball to Michael Wiley. Finally. The OSU running back, who averaged 20 touches last year as a junior, was averaging only 14 this year. In the first three games he rushed for an average of 100 yards, but in the last three, he was averaging only 40. Part of this was his lack of touvhing the football. But on Saturday, he touched the ball 22 times and gained 118 yards. He had touchdown runs of 3 and 44 yards.

  • Note to Buckeye coaches: Keep giving the ball to Wiley.

  • Is another quarterback controversy brewing in Columbus? Going into the first game against Miami, Austin Moherman and Steve Bellisari were still battling for the starting spot. After the UCLA game, Bellisari had seemingly solidifid his starting job. But with the Buckeyes down 10 to 7, Moherman replaced Bellisari and sparked the touchdown drive.

  • Bellisari 6 for 12, 40 yards.
  • Moherman 5 for 10, 49 yards.
  • Wiley 1 for 1, 28 yards.

  • Not only did Wiley rush the ball, but he also threw a 28 yard pass to Bellisari that set up the game winning score.

  • The Buckeyes lost Reggie Germany after a hard hit in the third quarter. He'll be back for the Iowa game.

  • Iowa...hehehehe...

  • OSU stats: 117 passing yards, 155 rushing, 272 total yards.
    • Special Teams, Defense, Key in to Victory

    Last year, Dan Stultz was ripped apart by critics after he missed 12 of 25 field goals. But Stultz is a new man, or should I say, kicker. He has hit key field goals all year. He hit one against Purdue, in the rain and sloppy conditions that proved to be the game winner. And then he hit two huge field goals against Minnesota. A 43 yarder to tie the game, and a 40 yarder with 1:15 left to win the game.

  • Those critics need to shut their mouths. Stultz is saving the Buckeyes with his crucial field goals.

  • The victory was sealed when the kick-off was fumbled and recovered by the Buck's Wilhelm.

  • Nate Clement's interception and 36 yard return set up the Buckeyes first score. A three yard run by Wilry.

  • The Bucks had trouble stopping Joe Cockerham and Thomas Hamner in the first half, but clamped down in the second half and shut down the Gopher's offense.

  • Ahmed Plummer and James Cotton lead all tacklers with 7 apiece.
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