Coach Is Steamed Over Way Ohio State Beats Rice, 70-7

Ohio State tossed Rice around, winning, 70-7, Saturday at Columbus, Ohio.

The 70 points was the most for Ohio State in an opener since a 75-0 victory over Virginia in 1933, and the Buckeyes gained 632 yards in total offense, their seventh highest ever, to 218 for the Owls.

“I’m totally shocked that the game got this out of hand,” Ohio State Coach John Cooper said. “We didn’t expect that to happen.”

Shocked even more was Rice Coach Ken Hatfield, who angrily confronted Cooper near midfield--obviously upset that the Buckeyes threw a 60-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter with a 56-7 lead.

“It was personal between John and me. Ask him what was said,” Hatfield said. “Everyone wants to go for the golden game. Everyone thinks you need to score 100 to get recognition. I think the end is greater than the means.”

For Ohio State, Pepe Pearson and freshman Michael Wiley each had three touchdowns--all of Wiley’s came on plays of 49 yards and longer--and backup quarterback Joe Germaine passed for three. Starter Stanley Jackson passed for two.