Washington Rolls Behind Kaufman : Nonconference: Tailback runs for 211 yards in 25-16 victory over Ohio State.

Napoleon Kaufman passed up the NFL draft in April to rewrite the Washington Huskies’ record book.

On Saturday, the senior tailback from Lompoc ran for a career-best 211 yards and scored a touchdown to lead the No. 25 Huskies to a 25-16 victory over 18th-ranked Ohio State.

Kaufman is only 78 yards from becoming the Huskies’ all-time leading rusher. Joe Steele set the record of 3,091 from 1976-79.

“All I had to do today is run and run fast,” Kaufman said. “Any time you can break off a long run, it gets the other team thinking. But I hope nobody thinks I’m going to run for 80 yards every play.”

Ohio State limited Kaufman to 51 yards in 18 carries during a 21-12 victory on grass last season at Columbus, Ohio. Kaufman shredded the Buckeyes this time on an artificial surface.

“When you rely on quickness like he does, obviously you’re going to be more effective on turf,” Ohio State Coach John Cooper said.

Washington (1-1) scored three touchdowns to build a 19-0 first-quarter lead before hanging on to beat the Buckeyes (1-1) before a crowd of 70,861.

After scoring its second touchdown and second two-point conversion with 1:43 to play, Ohio State got another chance when Alex Rodriguez recovered an onside kick.

Bobby Hoying connected with D.J. Jones on a 44-yard pass to the Washington nine. But Hoying threw three incomplete passes and then was sacked at the 17 with 53 seconds remaining.

Washington’s defense sacked Hoying six times. Husky linebacker Richie Chambers had 3 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles.

“We were kind of shellshocked after the first quarter,” Ohio State’s Matt Finkes said. “Then we realized we weren’t out of the game.”

Ohio State, with star receiver Joey Galloway suspended for one game, trailed at halftime, 22-0. The Buckeyes got a 24-yard touchdown run from Eddie George in the third quarter and Hoying passed 13 yards to Buster Gillman with 1:43 left for the second touchdown.

Ohio State converted both of its two-point conversion attempts on passes by Hoying.