NOTEBOOK | From Ohio Stadium

Big Ben: Senior tight end Ben Hartsock caught five passes for 51 yards -- including a nifty 17-yard catch in the first quarter that helped set up Mike Nugent's first field goal. "I don't know if there's a better blocker in America than Ben Hartsock," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said. "I think he made some great catches. That one long catch today, that was pretty impressive. He's 258 pounds flying through the air. We had to fix the field when he landed, but that was an impressive catch."
Streaking: Ohio State has won 19 straight games -- the longest streak in the nation. The Buckeyes have also won three straight home games, 10 straight Big Ten games.
Running wild: Senior quarterback Scott McMullen showed some of the same running ability that starting quarterback Craig Krenzel is known for, rushing three times for 24 yards. He also showed the same tendency to take a hit, rather than slide. When asked about one particularly nasty hit, Tressel said, "Well, Scott had a little dilemma because there was really nowhere to get down. So he decided to deliver the blow, and I think their guy's OK." The comment drew laughs from the reporters, and McMullen. "I was just trying to get extra yards," McMullen said with a shrug.
Lopsided rivalry: Ohio State has won 24 straight over Northwestern, last losing on Nov. 13, 1971 -- a 14-10 decision at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes are 55-13-1 all-time in the series, including 30-8 at home.
Rare shutout: The Buckeyes recorded their first shutout since blanking Illinois 41-0 on Oct. 10, 1998 in Champagne, Ill. They also recorded their first home shutout since beating Toledo 49-0 on Sept. 12, 1998 and their first Big Ten shutout since holding Indiana scoreless in a 31-0 win on Oct. 18, 1997.
Familiar face: Boardman resident Tom Krispinsky was the line judge for Saturday's game. Krispinsky is also a treasurer for Howland schools.
Up next: Ohio State has a bye week and will travel to Wisconsin at 9 p.m. Oct. 11. It will be Ohio State's first road game of the season after five games at home.
-- Joe Scalzo