OSU win too close for comfort

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Yuck.
Most of the 104,000 fans who came to Saturday's Ohio State-San Diego State game were expecting an ugly game.
And boy, did they get one.
"I think great teams have to find a way to win," Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel said. "Sometimes you have to win ugly."
Of course, the Buckeyes' 16-13 win over the Aztecs would need makeup and a wig just to move up to ugly.
The running game was mediocre. The passing game was awful.
And the defense ... well, the defense was outstanding.
Again.
"Their experience was the difference," San Diego State coach Tom Craft said. "They are an awfully good team."
Ohio State's defense forced four turnovers, recorded four sacks and held San Diego State to just 28 yards rushing.
Season-saver
It also saved the Buckeyes' season.
With the result still in doubt, Ohio State defensive back Will Allen made his second-biggest play of the game when the Aztecs had the ball fourth and 10 at Ohio State's 46-yard line with 1:30 remaining.
San Diego State quarterback Matt Dlugolecki tried to hit Devin Pitts on a slant pattern. But Allen -- who earlier scored the Buckeyes' only touchdown on a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown -- came up big again, knocking the pass away.
"Ohio State's defense makes things happen," Craft said. "They controlled the game."
Less than a minute later, Krenzel put the game away with a 14-yard slant pass to Michael Jenkins on third and 6 at San Diego State's 50.
It was Ohio State's first -- and last -- third down conversion.
"Mike ran a good route, but it wasn't a greatly thrown ball," Krenzel said. "Mike made a great catch and got the first down. It still wasn't executed the way we wanted to. But we found a way to make the play."
Krenzel struggled
Krenzel finished 5 of 21 for 76 yards and an interception. He was also sacked three times.
"There were a number of times we weren't on the same page," Krenzel said. "I don't think I'll leave here dazed. I'm not going to leave here mad or upset.
"Obviously, we didn't play well. I know I didn't play well. But the most important thing is for us to learn from [this]."
One of the things Ohio State is learning is that its running game is not the same without suspended sophomore Maurice Clarett.
Junior running back Maurice Hall finished with 19 carries for 91 yards, but 33 of those yards came on one carry as the Buckeyes struggled to maintain drives.
Junior tailback Lydell Ross, who was hampered by a foot injury, added seven carries for 16 yards.
Ground attack lacking
The run game is a concern, but Tressel's not ready to panic. Yet.
"We're not going to change what we do," said Tressel. "We're not all the sudden going to go to the wishbone."
The Aztecs entered the game as 32-point underdogs and were missing their starting quarterback, Adam Hall. Their only other game this season was a 19-9 win over Division I-AA Eastern Washington.
To say their performance was surprising is a mild understatement.
"We are obviously very proud of the way we played today," Craft said. "It was a courageous performance on our part."
Dlugolecki finished 23-for-39 for 189 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. His most costly interception came midway through the second quarter when the Aztecs had a first-and-goal at Ohio State's 4.
Allen goes the distance
Dlugolecki tried to hit sophomore wide-out Jeff Webb on a slant pass, but it was tipped by cornerback Chris Gamble and intercepted by Allen, who returned it 100 yards for the score.
"I was playing football and reacted to the ball," said Allen, who got key blocks on the return from A.J. Hawk and Darrion Scott. "I had four or five blockers in front of me. You gotta score on that."
San Diego State struck first on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Dlugolecki to Wes Williams with 13:42 left in the first quarter. The play was set up when Jacob Elimimian intercepted Krenzel's pass on the game's first offensive play and returned it to Ohio State's 23.
Nugent connects 3 times
Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent was 3 of 4 on field goals, hitting from 32, 35 and 38 yards out to supply most of Ohio State's points.
He missed a 28-yard attempt late in the third quarter.
Like they did so many times last year, the Buckeyes found a way to win a close game. But Ohio State must play better if it plans to defend its national title.
Fortunately, they still have that chance. It continues next week against 14th-ranked North Carolina State, which was upset by Wake Forest 38-24 Saturday.
"Sometimes things slip inches," Tressel said. "It's good that when there are some slips, you don't fall."
San Diego St.7033--13
Ohio St.13003--16
First Quarter
SDS--Williams 11 pass from Dlugolecki (Mejia kick), 13:42.
OSU--FG Nugent 38, 9:54.
OSU--Allen 100 interception return (Nugent kick), 6:36.
OSU--FG Nugent 32, 3:25.
Third Quarter
SDS--FG Mejia 47, 9:17.
Fourth Quarter
OSU--FG Nugent 35, 13:22.
SDS--FG Mejia 46, 10:13.
SDSOSU
First downs2010
Rushes-yards26-2837-120
Passing18876
Comp-Att-Int24-41-25-20-1
Return Yards75209
Punts-Avg.5-45.45-41.4
Fumbles-Lost3-21-1
Penalties-Yards8-6412-124
Time of Possession31:1128:49
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--San Diego St., Hamilton 17-69, Franklin 3-9, Engstrand 1-(minus 14), team 1-(minus 17), Dlugolecki 4-(minus 19). Ohio St., Hall 19-91, Ross 7-16, Krenzel 10-14, team 1-(minus 1).
PASSING--San Diego St., Dlugolecki 23-39-2-189, Engstrand 1-2-0-(minus 1). Ohio St., Krenzel 5-20-1-76.
RECEIVING--San Diego St., Webb 6-27, Williams 5-37, Penman 4-20, Pitts 3-31, Porter 2-22, Ortiz 1-20, Moore 1-17, Hamilton 1-8, Poumele 1-6. Ohio St., Jenkins 2-24, Hamby 1-31, Carter 1-21, Hall 1-0.
scalzo@vindy.com