OSU TriviaZone

Ohio State (4-0) 31 - Missouri (2-2) 10




With ineffective Stanley Jackson ailing with a sore knee, Joe Germaine came off the bench with OSU down 10 - 7 early in the second quarter to rally the Buckeyes to victory in one of the biggest games ever at Faurot Field.

Germaine completed 8 of 12 passes with no interceptions for 186 yards and two TD's of 5 and 28 yards to David Boston. Pepe Pearson ran for 101 yards on 18 carries. Boston caught 5 for 101 yards.

The Buckeye defense, after a tough first quarter, figured out the Tiger option attack led by talented QB Corby Jones, who rushed for 97 yards and passed for 140 more on only 9 of 25 and 3 interceptions.

As soon as the Tigers fell behind, they sensed trouble, they had to pass more and could no longer rely on what they do best, the running game.

Not only did the Ohio State offense need a spark, the defense needed one, as well. The shift in momentum came in the middle of the second quarter when Missouri QB, Corby Jones, looked like he was scrambling for a first down on a third down play, when speedy OSU LB, Andy Katzenmoyer came out of nowhere to lay a crushing hit to stop the drive.

But the story of this game was Missouri's inability to capitalize on numerous Buckeye mistakes that seem to happen in every game.

The Big Ten could be a long and bumpy road if the Bucks don't clean up their sloppy game, starting with undefeated Iowa this Saturday in the Horseshoe.


Statistical Highlights
StatsOSUMissouri
First Downs1719
Rushes (yards)40-9848-226
Passing269140
Comp Att Int13-23-09-25-3
Return Yards791
Punts,Avg6-45.87-38.6
Fumbles Lost3-11-1
Penalties (yards)7-356-54
Time of Posession28:2431:36


Trivia in the Making
The OSU -vs- Missouri game of 1997 was the first time the two teams squared off in several years. When was the last time the two teams met?
Answer below.


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Pregame Rundown
Ohio State (3-0) at Missouri (2-1)



This page is dedicated to pregame commentary and predictions. You, too, can offer your comments on our ChatZone page, here.


OSU (Big 10) Missouri (Big 12)
Wyoming 24-10 (W) E. Michigan 44-24 (W)
Bowling Green 44-13 (W)At Kansas 7-15 (L)
Arizona 28-20 (W) At Tulsa 42-21 (W )

This is a game in which, I'm sure, most fans will expect noting but misery for Missouri. They have a right to think that, because this is a program that has struggled for a long time.

Head coach, Larry Smith, has slowly put together a decent team with a talented offense that ranked ninth nationally in rushing a year ago. This group is led by running QB Corby Jones (742 yards rushing and 624 yards passing in 1996) and TB Brock Olivio (749 yards rushing).

While the offense is good, the defense is not, surrendering a total of 376 points in 1996. This unit has not exactly been a brick wall so far this season even against weak competition.

Three Things to Remember:
1. The Buckeye offense has been sloppy with eight turnovers in the last two games. Keep in mind the O-Line is struggling.
2. The Missouri offense has scored 40 or more points in a game 4 out of their last 5 games dating back to last season.
3. Tiger head coach, Larry Smith, has Big Game coaching experience from his days as head coach of those outstanding USC teams of the late 80's and early 90's. OSU will get everyone's best shot, not just from Missouri, as teams are eager to knock-off the Rose Bowl champs.

This could be an interesting one. This is the first road game for both young Ohio State lines. The Tigers won't be a pushover.

Prediction: O.S.U. 42 - 24



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"Today's Trivia in the Making" answer: This was their first meeting since 1976.