Can the Ohio State Buckeyes hang on and finish the deal this week, unlike last week against Nebraska?
That remains to be seen, but so far, so good. The Buckeyes lead Illinois 10-0 in the third quarter in Champagne, Illinois, on the strength of a Drew Basil 43-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 12-yard Dan Herron TD run at the start of the second half.
At this point the numbers look similar. With 1:40 left in the third quarter, OSU has the edge in first downs 10-9 and in yardage 178-139.
It is all about the ground game for the Buckeyes, and I mean all about the ground game. Braxton Miller is 0-for-3 through the air, and thus all of Ohio State’s yardage is on the ground.
For Illinois, Nathan Scheelhaase is 10-of-18 for only 91 yards, with an interception.
Look for a recap of today’s game later this evening.
Herron leads all rushers to this point with 106 yards on 19 carries.