MIKE POPOVICH
COLUMBUS -- The ghosts of Appalachian State were circling overhead. The only thing keeping them away was an Ohio State defense that was swarming all over Akron all day.
The relentless Buckeyes held the Zips to just 69 yards during Saturday’s 20-2 victory at Ohio Stadium. Thanks to a dominant defense, the Buckeyes did not suffer the same fate archrival Michigan experienced a week earlier.
Make no mistake, the outcome was in doubt longer than most expected. Ohio State’s lead was just 3-2 at halftime.
But as long as the defense kept forcing one three-and-out after another, it was still going to be an uphill battle for Akron.
“The defense played with attitude and passion,” Buckeyes sophomore tackle Doug Worthington said. “Every time we gave up yards today, we took it personally.
“This could be a great defense if we maintain our intensity and discipline.”
The Zips do not need convincing.
Ohio State (2-0) sacked Akron starting quarterback Chris Jacquemain three times and held the Zips to 3 rushing yards. Akron had 13 straight drives without a first down and finished with just three, tying an all-time school mark set against Wittenberg in 1962.
John Stec broke a Zips single game record he would rather not own. Stec punted 14 times.
“This is one of the best defenses we will ever see,” Zips coach J.D. Brookhart said. “I knew it was going to be a struggle. I just didn’t think it was going to be this much of a struggle.
“Ohio State’s front seven is the best I’ve ever seen.”
All-America linebacker James Laurinaitis led the way with seven tackles as the 12th-ranked Buckeyes kept Akron’s no-huddle offense in check. Two of the Zips’ three first downs came on their first possession, when they drove to the Ohio State 43-yard line.
“Our defense dictated the tempo of the entire football game,” Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said.
Akron (1-1) did not need a first down to take the lead. Brion Stokes tackled Ohio State running back Chris Wells in the end zone for a safety with 10:12 left in the first quarter to put the Zips ahead, 2-0.
Ryan Pretorius’ 37-yard field goal helped the Buckeyes carry a slim lead into halftime. However, the offense’s struggles did not carry over to the second half.
The Buckeyes scored on their first two possessions of the half. Pretorius kicked a 33-yard field goal, and Todd Boeckman threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Saine for a 13-2 Ohio State lead.
A 40-yard run by Chris Wells set up the Buckeyes’ final touchdown — a 13-yard pass from Boeckman to Brian Robiskie early in the fourth quarter.
Wells’ big run helped him finish with 143 yards on 20 carries, both career highs.
“I was waiting for it, but I probably should have had it early in the game,” Wells said of his run. “Of course I enjoyed it, but I like to get things done right and on time.”
Tressel thought Wells did a better job of keeping his shoulders square on his runs during the game-clinching drive. Wells also had a 25-yard carry.
“I wasn’t sure in the first half from a technique standpoint he was as good as he’s capable of being,” Tressel said. “All of a sudden, I thought in the second half he played a lot square. That gives you a chance to go where you need to go.”
