|
|
Bauserman, Buckeyes 'D' shine in win over Zips |
|
|
|
 COLUMBUS, OH – Joe Bauserman ran for a touchdown and threw for three scores to tight end Jake Stoneburner to lead No. 18/16 Ohio State to a 42-0 win over Akron on Saturday in a sweltering season opener in front of 105,001 fans at Ohio Stadium.
"It was smoking; I went in for halftime and couldn't feel my legs,” Zips sophomore quarterback Clayton Moore said. “I have played in a couple day games that hot before. I don't think it affected my play. We just didn't execute and we lost."
With Bauserman at the helm, Ohio State’s offense was also smoking. Bauserman completed 12-of-16 passes for 163 yards and the three scores with no interceptions. He ran for a 15-yard score and threw TD passes of 28, 11 and 2 yards to Stoneburner.
Akron came closest to scoring when a 41-yard field goal attempt by T.J. Marchese just before the half went wide.
"The line of scrimmage was our problem. We knew they were very talented on defense, and we certainly didn't underestimate them going into it; but we had trouble with their defensive front all day,” Akron head coach Rob Ianello said. "Our defense was on the field way too long. I felt we were competitive on defense, but we missed too many tackles which was a result of being on the field too long. On offense we didn't get anything accomplished today. I'm most disappointed in our offense."
The Buckeyes led 21-0 at the break after Bauserman hit Stoneburner twice on scoring passes, the second after Andrew Sweat picked off a pass that was tipped by teammate Dominic Clarke.
Akron’s Moore completed 6 -of-16 passes for 54 yards with the one interception in his first Division-I start. Moore, who walked on at Mississippi, competed at Gulf Coast Community College last season.
Akron linebacker Brian Wagner posted a game-high 15 tackles, including 10 unassisted stops to lead the UA defense.
"We prepared all week against the stuff they threw at us, but we didn't execute. We didn't do the little things. We missed gaps and tackles and did things winning programs don't do,” Wagner said. He added, “We didn't play that well later in the game. They started to wear us down,and that wasn't Zip defense. I can't say we played well. They ran all over us and passed all over us. I'm disappointed."
The Zips open Mid-American Conference play at home on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. ET versus East Division opponent Temple.
Zips
NOTES: Junior LB Brian Wagner's 15 tackles marked his 16th career double-digit performance (25 career games). He was one stop shy of tying a career high ... Freshman Nick Rossi started at fullback ... Sophomore CB Anthony Holmes recorded two pass breakups ... Junior DT John Griggs recorded a forced fumble that was recovered by junior CB Emmanuel Lartey in the first quarter, ending an 8-play 51-yard drive on the Akron 7-yard line ... Sophomore QB Clayton Moore carried the ball eight times for 32 yards, including a long of 14 yards.
|
|
|
|
