#10 Ohio State routs #25 Northwestern 48-7

By John Onan  |   Saturday, November 12, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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The second to last regular season game is always a concern for Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel with the finale against their biggest rival looming on deck; the Michigan Wolverines. Tressel can rest easily for one day at least, as the 10th ranked Buckeyes had their way the 25th ranked Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday afternoon in Columbus 48-7.

It appeared that the Wildcats would give the Buckeyes all they could handle, as they got on the scoreboard first, thanks to a five-yard Brett Basenez touchdown toss to Tyrell Sutton, but the Ohio State defense would not allow the high-powered Northwestern offense to score again on this day.

After two short scoring runs by quarterback Troy Smith, senior A.J. Hawk, playing his final game at the Horseshoe in his standout career, returned a block punt eight yards to put the Buckeyes up 21-7 and they never looked back.

Smith only attempted 12 passes on the day, completing seven for 77 yards and an interception, but he and running back Antonio Pittman hurt the Wildcats on the ground. Along with the two rushing scores, Smith gained 75 yards on 11 carries, while Pittman went for 131 yards on 18 attempts with a touchdown.

Basenez, who is closing in on about half a dozen Big Ten records, went 15-of-31 for only 121 yards and was picked off once in a losing effort.

The Ohio State Buckeyes moved to 8-2 and 6-1 in the conference, and a win over the rival Wolverines would clinch at least a share of the conference title.
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