Ohio St. keeps rolling
Big plays, big win, Big Ten.
Brian Hartline returned a punt a school-record 90 yards, and Donald Washington brought back an interception 70 yards to lead third-ranked Ohio State past Kent State 48-3 on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
"When you get returns, like a 90-yard punt return and an interception return for a touchdown, it's going to be hard to have anyone beat you," coach Jim Tressel said.
Just like the last time they met, Ohio State (7-0) hopes Kent State is a steppingstone to a national championship. The Buckeyes rolled 51-17 in 2002 on the way to a 14-0 record and their first national title since the 1968 season.
The game was little more than a tuneup for the Big Ten stretch drive. The Buckeyes play Michigan State, at Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and at Michigan in the final five games -- all teams with winning records.
"We had an opportunity to get a lot of guys some playing time, which was a good thing," Tressel said. "But we know full well that what's really critical begins next Saturday."
Ohio State shut down the Mid-American Conference's Golden Flashes (3-4) on defense, moved the ball down the field and made big plays on special teams.
"Nobody is going to score 30 points on this team," Kent State coach Doug Martin said of the Buckeyes. "Anybody that beats them is going to have to win in a close, physical game that comes down to the wire. This team is as good as any I've seen."
Penn St. 38, Wisconsin 7: Rodney Kinlaw ran for 115 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Morelli threw for 216 yards and another score, and host Penn State (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) capitalized on mistake-prone Wisconsin in a surprisingly easy win over the No. 19 Badgers (5-2, 2-2).
Penn State moved the ball with ease in claiming its second straight conference win and scored on 2 of 3 Wisconsin first-half turnovers. The Badgers lost their second straight after having won 14 in a row.
Wisconsin's offense was held to a season-low point total. Star tailback P.J. Hill, who bruised a groin last week against Illinois, had 19 carries and ran for a touchdown but was held to 75 yards rushing, 50 below his season average.
For the second straight week, Wisconsin couldn't overcome a double-digit halftime deficit on the road.
Michigan 48, Purdue 21: Michigan ran, threw and defended so well it didn't hurt to be without Mike Hart after halftime. Hart scored 2 touchdowns in the first half to help the Wolverines (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten) take a big lead before leaving the game with an injury, and they went on to beat Purdue (5-2, 1-2).
Michigan has won five straight since opening with losses to Appalachian State and Oregon. The Wolverines and Ohio State are the only teams without a Big Ten loss.
Hart ran for 102 yards, setting a school record with his seventh straight 100-yard game, but did not play in the second half after appearing to injure his right ankle.
Michigan's 31-7 halftime lead -- scoring 3 TDs off turnovers -- perhaps helped coach Lloyd Carr make the decision to rest Hart. Hart was not in uniform in the second half but walked along the sideline without a limp as he laughed with teammates. Quarterback Chad Henne said he "definitely" expected to be able to hand the ball off to Hart next week at Illinois.