After a first quarter that saw the Buckeyes resoundingly dominate the San Diego State Aztecs, Urban Meyer didn't take his foot off the gas.
In last week's game against Buffalo, the Buckeyes started hot but faded late, and Meyer seemed determined to make sure that wouldn't be the case this time around. Kenny Guiton, standing in for the injured Braxton Miller, underthrew a long bomb that ended up being intercepted - Ohio State's first INT of the season.
Miller, who reportedly suffered a minor MCL sprain, could have returned with a brace. With the game seemingly well in hand in the first quarter, Urban Meyer wisely elected not to risk his star quarterback's health.
Guiton made amends for his interception later in the quarter, when he made a terrific read on a QB draw. He burst into SDSU's secondary, sweeping into the endzone untouched to put the Bucks up 28-0.
Ohio State's defense looks to be developing chemistry quickly, a great sign for the Buckeye's long-term prospects. DE Noah Spence recovered a fumble and caused havoc in the backfield time and time again, and his fumble recovery set up a Buckeyes drive starting at the SDSU 24 yard-line.
Jordan Hall danced along the sideline and was forced out at the 1, setting up a Rod Smith touchdown that put Ohio State up 35-0 with just over three minutes left in the first half.
The Aztecs finally engineered a drive into Buckeye territory late in the half, but the Buckeye defense came up huge once again. On a third down with time expiring, Ohio State forced the incompletion, and the shutout stayed intact.
The score at halftime: 35-0 Bucks.
First half MVP: Kenny Guiton. Despite a bad interception, "Smooth Jazz" Kenny G is 10-13 for 102 yards and a touchdown, plus 68 rushing yards on four carries with a TD run.
First half LVP: The entire SDSU team. They looked shellshocked from the outset, and other than the acrobatic interception of Guiton's pass, they were outclassed throughout.
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