Norman, OK - Following Ohio State's 60 and 70 point wins in weeks 1 and 2 against FCS schools, the team made a trip to Oklahoma to take on the #2 Sooners in what was billed to be a showdown between the nations best. That talk disappeared halfway through the first quarter as Ohio State gave the rest of the nation a reason to take notice.
The Buckeyes used 210 yards rushing and 3 scores from Heisman hopeful running back Chris Thomas and a ball hawking, lockdown defense that forced 2 turnovers en route to a 34-14 dismantling of the Sooners. Freshman quarterback Danny Graves threw for 225 yards in an impressive display of poise on the road as an 18 year old. Ohio State drove down the field in the first after holding Oklahoma to a 3 and out and picked up a field goal to go up 3-0. Less than a minute later Thomas walked into the endzone from 5 yards out following a fumble recover to make the score 10-0. The Buckeyes iced the game early in the third when Thomas broke off an 81 yard score to make it a 27-0 lead.
On a down note for the Buckeyes, Thomas bruised his shoulder early in the 4th and is expected to miss next weeks game in Columbus against Minnesota in the Big Ten opener for both squads. 'We couldn't have looked any better. Gave up a few late scores, but I'm incredibly proud of these guys. We came in to an extremely hostile environment against what many pundits referred to as the best team in the country and we were relentless. Not a perfect game by any stretch of the means, but as close as you can get 3 weeks into a season. I'm just sick for Chris (Thomas) however, it looks like it (shoulder) won't keep him out long, but one or two weeks for that kid is a lifetime for others. He works so hard and is so intense that he's pretty upset we have to hold him out. I know our backups are ready for the challenge however.' Aaron Jones commented after the game.
The Buckeyes head home next week to face the Gophers with a kickoff at 11am.
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