Ohio State Takes a Fiesta Over Kansas State, 35-28

Ell Roberson played. Just not well enough.

Ohio State returned to Sun Devil Stadium, site of its double-overtime victory over Miami in last season’s BCS title game, and shut down the Kansas State option attack in a 35-28 Fiesta Bowl victory in front of 73,425 Friday night.

Roberson, Kansas State’s star quarterback, started the game despite an unresolved police investigation into a 22-year-old woman’s claim he sexually assaulted her in the team’s hotel early Thursday.

But Ohio State’s top-ranked rushing defense held the Wildcats to 84 yards rushing, putting an end to any talk Kansas State was the equal of the national championship contenders after its upset of Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.

No. 8 Kansas State (11-4) trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half, but Roberson found his passing touch in the second, and turned a blowout into a hold-your-breath ending.

The Wildcats cut the lead to seven with 2:47 left after Roberson’s one-yard run. Kansas State got the ball back one last time with 1:12 remaining, but a cluster of Buckeyes batted away a fourth-down Hail Mary pass on the final play.

“How did Ell play? Not very well,” said Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder, who made the decision to allow him to start the game.

“You saw in the second half he’s a very competitive young man, but collectively he didn’t play very well. I think probably it was because of the situation, but that could be considered an excuse.”

Snyder said he allowed Roberson to play because he believed the accusations were without merit. Roberson, who told police the sex was consensual, was not made available for comment after the game.

No decision on whether charges will be filed is expected until the Maricopa County Attorney’s office reviews police reports.

“A great deal of work and a great deal of investigating by our administration led us to believe Ell Roberson was not guilty of what he was charged with -- he hasn’t been charged -- of what he seemingly is implicated in. I considered that in my decision,” Snyder said.

“That doesn’t mean there isn’t discipline to take place because of some issues related to team rules.”

No. 7 Ohio State (11-2) jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half, scoring first off a blocked punt.

The snap to punter Jared Brite was low, and by the time he got the ball off, Ohio State’s Harlen Jacobs had smothered it. The Buckeyes’ John Hollins picked it up and ran seven yards for the touchdown.

“We say special teams make a difference,” Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said. “I suppose if you look at the game and really analyze it, it was a tie game except for that.”

Ohio State’s lead was 14-0 after quarterback Craig Krenzel rolled right on third down from the six-yard line and somehow found receiver Santonio Holmes outrunning two defenders in the back of the end zone.

It looked as if the game would be a blowout after Buckeye cornerback Chris Gamble picked off Roberson’s underthrown pass at the Kansas State 17.

“I think his head wasn’t in the game in the first half,” Ohio State defensive end Will Smith said.

Krenzel threw a strike to Michael Jenkins on the next play, and Ohio State led, 21-0.

Jenkins finished with five receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns, passing David Boston as the Buckeyes’ career receiving yardage leader during the game.

Kansas State didn’t score until 3:01 remained in the first half, when Darren Sproles scampered six yards for a touchdown.

By halftime, Roberson had completed only five of 20 passes for 60 yards.

More important, an Ohio State rushing defense that ranked first in the nation had not been fooled by Kansas State’s option attack.

Ohio State held Sproles, the nation’s second-leading rusher, to a season-low 38 yards in the game, far below his 139-yard average.

Roberson was held to 32 yards rushing but passed for 294 after it became evident going to the air was the best tactic.

Kansas State appeared more energized to start the second half, converting a fourth and one on a drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown run by Roberson.

Ohio State seemingly nipped the comeback in short order, mounting a long drive to take a 28-14 lead after Jenkins leaped over Louis Lavender for an eight-yard touchdown reception.

Before the third quarter was out, Ohio State scored again, this time on a 31-yard pass that Holmes leaped to snare in the back of the end zone, deftly staying in bounds.

The lead was 35-14. But Kansas State wasn’t done. The Wildcats cut the lead to 14 early in the fourth and to seven with 2:47 left.