OHIO STATE Buckeyes rally to upend Aztecs

Quarterback Steve Bellisari completed 15-of-32 passes for 198 yards in the 27-12 win.
By GARY HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- If it was possible to combine the first half of the Wisconsin loss and the second half of the San Diego State victory, then Jim Tressel would have a solid 60 minutes of football to feel good about.
The Buckeyes overcame a sluggish first half where they posted only six points and rallied behind their defense in the second half, in a come-from-behind victory over the Aztecs, 27-12, Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
"It was certainly a tale of two halves," said Tressel. "It was exciting to see the way our defense played that second half."
Getting some help: The Buckeye defense got the ball back to the offense with good field position on five consecutive possessions in the second half via turnovers -- one fumble recovery and four interceptions, and the offense converted three of those turnovers into touchdowns. Derek Ross had two interceptions.
Place kicking remains a concern, however, for Tressel as both Josh Huston and Mike Nugent continue to have trouble.
On their first possession, the Buckeyes put together a 16-play, 60-yard drive, only to watch Huston miss a 32-yard field goal.
And following OSU's first touchdown, Nugent missed the point-after when the ball hit the right upright and deflected away.
Other than the missed field goal, the opening drive by Ohio State was impressive, especially since the Buckeyes were coming off an inept passing effort by Steve Bellisari against the Badgers. Ohio State re-introduced the tight end and even used a reverse pass that fell incomplete.
The Aztecs did a pretty good job of finishing off their drives in the first half. On their opening possession of the game, they capped off a 14-play, 68-yard march with a 29-yard field to take a 3-0 lead.
The Buckeyes marched 80 yards on 18 plays and Lydell Ross covered the last 2 to give Ohio State a 6-3 lead.
Missed opportunities: San Diego State took control of the game in the second quarter but, fortunately for the Buckeyes, they were only able to score nine points on a touchdown and a field goal, for a 12-6 lead.
"Like all teams do, come out and show you things that you don't see on the film, they did a pretty good job of that in the first half," said OSU linebacker Joe Cooper said.
Cooper was the first defender to create a turnover for the defense when he stepped in front of a Lon Sheriff pass to give the Buckeyes the ball at their 41.
Three plays later, Bellisari threw his lone interception of the game, but pinned the Aztecs at their 17.
On the next play, Fred Pagac, Jr. recovered a fumbled snap at the Buckeyes' 18. Bellisari cashed in on that turnover when he rushed around the left end from the 4, as OSU took a 13-12 lead. Three plays later Ross returned his first interception 31 yards to the 5. On third and goal, Jonathan Wells crashed over from the 1 to increase the lead to 20-12.
Ohio State capped the scoring when Lydell Ross raced 51 yards for a score after Derek Ross' second pick.
Getting the hook: Tressel stayed with Bellisari until 5:51 remained in the game, when backup Scott McMullen was inserted. Bellisari completed 15-of-32 passes for 198 yards. Five different receivers caught at least one pass, with Chris Vance grabbing five for 87 yards.