Ohio State rips Illinois to keep pace with PSU

The Buckeyes surged in the second half androlled to a 40-2 win.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- The Lions defeated the Christians on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
"We were out-matched," Illinois punter Steve Weatherford said.
The Illini were also out-rushed, out-tackled, out-hit and out-played as the Buckeyes kept pace with Penn State in the Big Ten standings with a 40-2 win.
Of course, Saturday's game wasn't really a game. It was hammer versus nail. It was lawn mower versus grass.
It was so bad, the Illini (2-6, 0-6) brought their punter out for the post-game interview to talk about a failed fake punt attempt.
"When your defense controls what's going on and gives you the ball so close, you can, I suppose, win by 35," said Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) coach Jim Tressel. "We know our challenge will be much greater next week [against Northwestern]."
Ginn sparkles
OSU wideout Ted Ginn had 224 all-purpose yards, including a 73-yard touchdown reception, and Antonio Pittman had 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns as the Buckeyes outscored the Illini, 27-2, in the second half. It was OSU's third straight game with more than 40 points -- the first time that's happened since 1995.
"We're not opposed to scoring," said Tressel, "contrary to popular opinion."
Pittman did his best Maurice Clarett imitation (on the field, anyway) on his first score when he lowered his shoulder and leveled Illinois senior Morris Virgil en route to a 16-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
"I think Antonio's getting back his form when he was at [Akron] Buchtel, when they nicknamed him 'The Beast,'" said Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith. "[Virgil's] supposed to be Illinois' hard hitter and they were out there doing a lot of jawing, and within that, I think he got what he deserved."
Smith completed 13 of 21 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Santonio Holmes. The Buckeyes' offense struggled in the first half before exploding for 20 points in the third quarter.
"I was a little disappointed in the first half with our offensive consistency," Tressel said. "I thought we came back and did a little bit better job in the second half. Obviously, we made a lot of big plays."
Credits regular film study
Smith struggled early in the season but has played better lately, something he said is due to regular film study.
"After the San Diego State game, I was threatened by Coach Tressel to have mandatory film study," Smith said, bringing a smile to Tressel's face. "No, I wasn't threatened, but he just let me know that some of the things they did in the past was a set routine where daily you come in and watch film. It's helped tremendously."
Illinois quarterback Tim Brasic was sacked five times, ran 17 times for minus-11 yards and passed for just 92 yards. He's touted as one of the conference's most mobile quarterbacks, although it's hard to tell if he chooses to be mobile or is forced to be.
"They probably would have gave up a lot more sacks if [Brasic] wasn't so athletic," added OSU linebacker A.J. Hawk, who had two sacks.
Brasic completed 18-of-24 passes but most of them were short throws as he scrambled to avoid Ohio State's rush.
"Our guys fought and compete and competed and I'm proud of them," Brasic said. "I know the scoreboard doesn't reflect that exactly, but we played well."
Didn't play too well
They played better than they did in a 63-10 loss to Penn State two weeks ago, but it's probably a stretch to say they played well.
(When your only points come off a botched extra point attempt by the opponent, it's probably not your day.)
"We don't have the greatest luck, so I thought that we would have penalties on the play," said Illinois sophomore Kevin Mitchell, who returned the fumbled snap 75 yards for his team's only points.
Hey, when you get out-gained 526-160, you look for any positives you can find. Just don't expect the Buckeyes to be as sympathetic.
"They didn't score on the defense, so we count it as a shutout," said cornerback Ashton Youboty. "That's how I see it anyway."
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Illinois0020--2
Ohio St.310207--40
First Quarter
OSU--FG Huston 29, :13.
Second Quarter
OSU--FG Huston 22, 7:38.
OSU--Holmes 41 pass from T.Smith (Huston kick), 2:20.
Third Quarter
OSU--Holmes 3 pass from T.Smith (run failed), 11:14.
Ill--2-point defensive conversion by K.Mitchell 2-point defensive conversion by, 11:14.
OSU--A.Pittman 16 run (Huston kick), 7:22.
OSU--Ginn Jr. 73 pass from T.Smith (Huston kick), 4:00.
Fourth Quarter
OSU--A.Pittman 8 run (Huston kick), 12:10.
A--104,799.
IllOSU
First downs924
Rushes-yards33-6846-202
Passing92324
Comp-Att-Int18-24-016-25-0
Return Yards013
Punts-Avg.10-41.82-37.0
Fumbles-Lost0-01-1
Penalties-Yards4-214-24
Time of Possession26:0833:52
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Illinois, Halsey 2-35, Thomas Jr. 9-28, R.Mendenhall 4-12, Weatherford 1-4, Brasic 17-(minus 11). Ohio St., A.Pittman 22-96, T.Smith 7-55, Wells 9-23, Haw 4-14, Ginn Jr. 1-8, Franzinger 1-4, Daniels 1-2, Team 1-0.
PASSING--Illinois, Brasic 18-24-0-92. Ohio St., T.Smith 13-21-0-298, Zwick 3-4-0-26.
RECEIVING--Illinois, Thomas Jr. 4-17, McPhearson 3-2, Hudson 2-47, R.Mendenhall 2-12, Davis 2-0, Halsey 2-(minus 2), Warren 1-6, Bryant II 1-5, Weil 1-5. Ohio St., Ginn Jr. 4-138, Holmes 3-59, A.Pittman 2-41, Frost 2-34, Gonzalez 2-26, Dukes 1-16, Harden 1-6, B.Smith 1-4.