The Buckeyes defense looked unbreakable in the first half, holding the Spartans scoreless and limiting them to 74 yards of offense.

But it was the MSU defense that swung the momentum around for the Spartans in the second half.

Following a 50-yard bomb into the endzone from Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman to Brian Robiskie, all hope looked lost for the Spartans, down 24-0 in the third quarter.

On the Buckeye’s next possession, senior safety Otis Wiley picked off Boeckman’s pass and returned it 54 yards into the endzone.

Three plays later, senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic forced Boeckman to fumble and senior linebacker SirDarean Adams returned it 25 yards for the touchdown, making it 24-14.

Then, on the Buckeye’s first play after receiving the kickoff, Wells fumbled the football, and Wiley attempted to scoop it up and toss it to senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin, but Wells would ultimately recover the football.

Despite MSU’s defensive charge, the offense was only able to produce a field goal, and the Buckeyes would run out the clock for the win.

Ohio State’s offense came out firing on all cylinders, scoring 17 unanswered points in the first half. Running back Chris “Beanie” Wells led the way for the Buckeyes, rushing for 221 yards and one touchdown.

MSU’s running attack, which has been one of their strengths this season, fell flat as they were held to 59 total yards by the Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s stifling defense held MSU to 185 total yards of offense.