Ohio State leaped out to an early lead giving Northwestern no chance to offer resistance in a 58-7 Buckeye win.
Ohio State scored on its first four offensive possessions and scored on a 25 yard fumble recovery return by defensive end Vernon Gholston.
The Northwestern secondary had no answer for OSU deep threat Brian Robiskie,as Robiskie grabbed three passes to touchdowns of 42,28 and 19 yards from QB Todd Boeckman.
Boeckman would add another TD pass to his stats on a 48 yd strike to Ray Small in the third quarter.
Ohio State led 45-0 at the half and made one of their two major mistakes on the second half kickoff,as Stephen Simmons returned the kickoff for a score from 99 yards away.The score was the Wildcats only tally of the game.
The other mistake?
Ryan Pretorius missed the final extra point after a short Maurice Wells TD run in the 3rd.
Two special teams errors won't make a difference against the Northwesterns,but they will against the more competitive teams,so the special teams need to pick it up a bit.
Chris Wells scored two touchdowns and again rushed for over 100 yards,but limped off the field after a 3rd quarter carry.
Wells was hampered by a ankle injury in workouts and this would be a huge loss as Brandon Saine underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and missed today's game and will likely miss next weeks game at Minnesota.
If Chris Wells misses the Minnesota game,Maurice Wells looks to be the backfield water-carrier next Saturday night.
All and All,this is the textbook design on how to dispose of a less talented team and a solid performance from the offense.
Good job by the Bucks!
Meanwhile,Pittsburgh lost for the 8th straight game ,in the return of Zach Duke, to t
he Cubs 9-5.Duke was knocked from the box after just 4 innings and allowing 5 runs (4 earned).
Duke also allowed 3 Cub homers in his outing and picked up the loss in falling to 3-8 on the year.
Gas Can Torres allowed a run in his inning and John Van Benschoten mopped up,allowing 3 runs in 3 innings.
I would wager that JVB wont be starting any in the last week of the year,judging by the fact that he was put into this situation.
Nate McLouth hit his 13th (solo) homer of the year in defeat,while the remaining Pirate RBI went to Duke (2),Freddy Sanchez and Matt (why is he even playing) Kata.
This disaster concludes in Chicago at 2:20
Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Tom Gorzelanny (14-8) at Chicago: Carlos Zambrano (16-13) 2:20
Bullpen Notes
The Browns travel to Oakland today to take the 0-2 Raiders on.
I am not sure which Browns team is the "real" Cleveland Browns,but I am hoping for at
least a happy medium between the first two games.If the Browns can give that,they will win a few games.
Hesitantly,I will take the Browns 20-16.
The Seahawks return home after handing a victory to the Cardinals in Arizona to battle those high-scoring Cincinnati Bengals.
I look for another Bengal shootout although not as high as the game in Cleveland.
The Bengals will score on anyone,but the Seattle defense is miles better than the Browns.
The pick here is Seattle 38-31.
I will try to be back later with Pirates and football,but tonight is my Fantasy Hockey draft,so no promises!
Photo Credits
Robiskie-Jeff Hinckley-Columbus Dispatch
Duke-Nam Huh-AP Photo
Helmets-The Helmet Project
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