Ohio State Takes Over Early, 34-10

Ohio State had nearly everything its way against Fresno State in the Disneyland Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium on Monday night, overwhelming a team rebuilding after the loss of 11 players to the NFL.

The Fresno State offense was inconsistent, and the defense was no match for Joey Galloway, a wide receiver with an All-American look. The result was a 34-10 Ohio State victory.

The night wasn’t as enjoyable for the promoters of the Pigskin Classic as it was for 20th-ranked Ohio State. The crowd of 28,513 was the smallest in the event’s five-year history and probably sounded the death knell for the game.

The only disappointing aspect of the game for Ohio State Coach John Cooper was 53 yards in penalties. But the Buckeyes gained 388 yards, an average of more than six yards per play, and held Fresno State to 89 yards on the ground.

“Their offense played extremely well,” Fresno State coach Jim Sweeney said. “I didn’t think they’d run the ball that well against us.”

Galloway was the catalyst. Galloway, who led the Big Ten in receiving last season, scored twice, once on 67-yard pass play from quarterback Bobby Hoying and again on an eight-yard run after taking a pitchout.

“Joey makes the plays,” Cooper said. “That’s why he’s a Heisman Trophy candidate.”

Galloway put aside talk about honors so early in the season, however. “I just have to give it everything I’ve got all season and hopefully we’ll be back out here in January,” he said.

Running back Eddie George added 90 yards in 24 carries, and Hoying completed 10 of 16 passes for 194 yards. Fresno State sophomore Adrian Claiborne completed 12 of 22 for 139 yards and one touchdown. Michael Pittman’s 82 yards led Fresno State in rushing.

Ohio State broke the game open in the first half with three early touchdowns.

Hoying got the first drive rolling with a 28-yard pass to flanker Buster Tillman. George carried seven consecutive times for 36 yards down the stretch, going over from a yard out only 5:16 into the game.

Claiborne, making his first start at quarterback for Fresno State as Trent Dilfer’s successor, gave up an interception in the Bulldogs’ second possession, setting up Ohio State’s second touchdown. Hoying and Galloway teamed up on the 67-yard touchdown on the first play of the series. It was the longest scoring pass in the five-year history of the event.

On the third scoring drive, Hoying passed 12 yards to Tillman and 21 to Galloway before George’s one-yard touchdown run.

Fresno State averted a first-half shutout by scoring a touchdown with 4:52 left in the second quarter.

Claiborne brought the Bulldogs to life with a series of completions. Two quick hitters to Pittman were the key, the last for four yards and the score. Johan Lyssand’s extra point kick made it 21-7.

Both teams traded field goals in the third quarter, but the Buckeyes showed their muscle again before the quarter ended with a 51-yard, seven-play surge capped by a sparkling run by Galloway. With second down on the Fresno 8, Galloway took a pitch on a reverse from his wide-out spot. The left side closed, but Galloway reversed back right and went in for the touchdown. The kick by Jackson made it 31-10.

Ohio State’s final score came with 8:43 remaining in the final quarter on Jackson’s 33-yard field goal. He had hit one from 24 yards out earlier.

“I think the best team won the game,” Cooper said, “but I think we still have a lot of things we have to improve on before we play Washington in our next game.”

* END OF LINE: The final gun not only meant the end of the game, but the entire Pigskin Classic series. C4