Ohio St. renews winning formula

The Buckeyes used their same national-championship strategy to jar Washington in the season opener.
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Eight months ago, the Ohio State football team won the national championship with a mistake-free offense, a dominating defense and special teams that made a difference.
Saturday night, in their first game since hoisting the trophy in the Arizona desert, the Buckeyes showed a capacity crowd and a national television audience that they aren't about to change that formula for success.
Spurred on by an Ohio Stadium crowd in excess of 105,000 (including sidelined tailback Maurice Clarett), the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes trounced Washington 28-9 Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
It was the 15th straight victory for Ohio State, which was in control almost from the opening kickoff, scoring the game's first points on its second possession.
Clarett's replacements
In the place of Clarett were Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross, who shared playing time at tailback. They combined for 101 yards -- Hall had 58 yards on 15 carries and Ross had 43 on 12 attempts.
Even in a team warm-up suit, Clarett was a presence in the game. He was on the sidelines throughout the game, and in the first half worked to get the crowd in the game by waving a towel above his head and cheering on Hall and Ross on virtually every play.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel, meanwhile, showed the same leadership qualities and big-play making that led the Buckeyes to the national championship a year ago.
Krenzel completed 15-of-27 passes for 205 yards, and rushed seven times for 30 yards and a pair of scores.
About the only aspect of his game that Krenzel struggled with was the long passing game. He missed on three vertical attempts, including one in which he overthrew a wide-open Bam Childress in the fourth quarter. But, by then, the Buckeyes had a 28-3 lead.
Favorite receiver
Krenzel's favorite receiver was Michael Jenkins, with six catches for 80 yards. They teamed up three times for 30 yards in the Buckeyes' only touchdown drive of the second half.
Meanwhile, Washington's high-octane passing game was held in check. Huskies' quarterback Cody Pickett, who threw for more than 4,400 yards last season, was 26-for-49 for 255 yards.
But the Washington offense was hardly balanced. The Huskies all but gave up attempting to run the ball after the first quarter, finishing with just 7 yards on the ground.
The Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on Hall's 2-yard run with 8:31 remaining. The score culminated an eight-play, 72-yard drive, highlighted by Krenzel's 37-yard pass to Drew Carter.
Hall rushed five times for 18 yards in the drive.
The Buckeyes struck quickly for their second touchdown after forcing Washington to go three-and-out on its second series.
Krenzel delivers
Driving 78 yards in just seven plays, Krenzel carved up the Huskies through the air and with his feet. He completed all three of his pass attempts, for 47 yards, then covered the final 23 yards by scrambling into the end zone.
The Ohio State offense sputtered in the second quarter, but Krenzel's second broken field scamper, this time from 11 yards, made it 21-0 at halftime.
That score was set up by the Buckeyes' special teams and defense.
First, B.J. Sanders' punt covered 40 yards and was downed at the Washington 1-yard line with 3:17 remaining in the half.
Then, Ohio State forced a three-and-out and Chris Gamble returned Garth Erickson's punt to the Huskies' 25.
On third-and-10 from the Washington 11, Krenzel scrambled out of danger and broke the tackle attempt of the Huskies' Greg Carothers at the goal line and dove in.
Huskies' first score
Washington got on the scoreboard early in the third quarter. The Huskies' eight-play drive consisted of all passes, not including a pass interference penalty on Gamble; they moved 47 yards, to the OSU 29, from where Evan Knudson kicked a 46-yard field goal with 13:22 remaining.
After an exchange of punts, the Buckeyes drove 61 yards in seven plays to take a 28-3 lead with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter. Ross rambled the final 15 yards, barreling over Washington safety Jimmy Newell at the 10 and going untouched the rest of the way to the end zone.
Washington had a field goal blocked by Dustin Fox in the fourth quarter.
By that time, the Buckeyes began wholesale substitutions and Washington forced a punt. The Huskies then drove 57 yards in seven plays, with Pickett running in from the 2 with 3:27 remaining in the game. On the two-point conversion, Mike D'Andrea sacked Pickett, leaving the score at 28-9.
todor@vindy.com