Down 3-0 in the second quarter, Ohio State linebacker Jerry Rudzinski blitzed on a second down play, causing Nittany Lions quarterback Kevin Thompson to fumble. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker pounced on the ball for a touchdown, and the wake-up call the Buckeyes so deperately needed.
With 23 seconds to go in the first half, Joe Germaine capped an eight-play, 51-yard drive by hitting running back Michael Wiley for a 20-yard scoring pass. Penn State were forced to punt again to start the second half, but this time Percy King blocked the kick. Joe Cooper recovered in the end zone, and Ohio State was up for good, 21-3.
Germaine was 16-of-30 for 213 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Wiley carried 19 times for 62 and caught five passes for 31 yards to lead the Buckeyes. For Penn State, Thompson was 11-of-20 for 106 yards and an interception.
"That was a good, solid performance, and the only time they scored we gave them good field position," Buckeyes coach John Cooper said following the game. "I think we've beaten three real good, solid football teams this year."
The win was Ohio State's third this season against ranked opponents, with the others coming over West Virginia and Missouri. Combined with Nebraska's narrow 24-17 win over Oklahoma State, the victory gives the Buckeyes a secure hold on the top spot in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls.
IN OTHER ACTION - No. 3 Tennessee held on for a 17-9 win over Auburn, while No. 4 UCLA dominated Washington State 29-17. Don't be surprised if these two teams switch places this week in the polls. No. 12 Georgia upset No. 6 LSU in a 28-27 nailbiter. Despite an uninspired performance, No. 8 Florida managed a 16-10 win over Alabama. Rounding out the Top Ten, No. 9 Florida State defeated Maryland 24-10 and tenth-ranked Virginia rolled 52-14 over San Jose State.
On Thursday night, N.C. State shocked No. 11 Syracuse, 38-17. No. 13 Wisconsin survived a scare from Big Ten rival Indiana, 24-20, while No. 14 Arizona held off No. 20 Washington, 31-28. No. 15 Colorado, No. 16 West Virginia, No. 18 Texas A&M, No. 21 USC, No. 22 Arkansas, both No. 23s (Missouri and Notre Dame) and No. 25 Michigan all won. No. 5 Kansas State, No. 17 Oregon, and No. 19 Virginia Tech were idle.
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