No. 4 Ohio State Loses Close Call to No. 2 Texas, 24-22

[DJRamFan]

Tne Buckeyes return to action on Sept. 17 when they host San Diego State

Sept. 10, 2005




COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Vince Young connected in the clutch and won it for Texas with his arm, more than his legs - just like a star quarterback is supposed to.

Young, best known for his highlight-reel runs, threw a 24-yard go-ahead touchdown to Limas Sweed with 2:37 left and No. 2 Texas defeated No. 4 Ohio State 25-22 Saturday night in the much-anticipated first meeting between two of college football's most storied programs.

Young's floating TD pass over a defender capped a 72-yard drive during which his biggest plays were through the air, including a third-and-6 completion of 9 yards to Jamaal Charles. His second TD pass of the game made the score 23-22 and the defense did the rest.

The Longhorns' 'D,' which time and time again toughened after turnovers and special teams gave Ohio State good field position, had the biggest takeaway of the game when Drew Kelson stripped a scrambling Justin Zwick and Brian Robison recovered and returned it inside the 20.

Ohio State held the Longhorns out of the end zone, but Larry Dibbles sacked Troy Smith for a safety and Texas coach Mack Brown had his second straight huge victory over a Big Ten team.

The Longhorns defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl, when Young launched his 2005 Heisman Trophy campaign with 192 yards rushing.

Young proved against the Buckeyes he can pass it when he needs to as well.

One Ohio State player had said the Buckeyes' goal was to put an end to Young's Heisman campaign. And while Bobby Carpenter and Ohio State's swift linebacking crew hemmed in Young after some good runs early, they couldn't keep him from passing for 270 yards.

Young also had made a couple of those poor decisions and bad throws - he was intercepted twice - that have caused him to be labeled a tailback playing quarterback.







But he finished 18-for-29 and ran 20 times for 76 yards.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was true to his promise, playing both Zwick and Troy Smith at quarterback. Neither distinguished himself, and it looks like the quarterback competition will resume for the Buckeyes.

Smith ran for 27 yards, threw a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and led Ohio State on five scoring drives.

Zwick was 9-for-15 for 66 yards and led Ohio State to one of John Huston's school-record tying five field goals.

Ohio State came up with three turnovers in Texas territory, but the Buckeyes could only manage three field goals against defensive end Tim Crowder and the Texas defense.

And when Ted Ginn Jr.'s 46-yard kickoff return got the Buckeyes to around midfield in the third quarter, they again drove inside the 20, only to stall when Ryan Hamby let a sure TD pass pop off his chest.

Huston knocked his final field goal of the game through to tie a school record last accomplished by Mike Nugent, the All-American he replaced this season, and give Ohio State a 22-16 lead with 5:12 left in the third.

Ginn, Ohio State's big play specialist, was only a factor on special teams. He caught two passes for nine yards.