Ohio State visits the Bay Area on the heels of two big wins against overmatched opponents. California dropped their opener to Northwestern, but scraped by Portland State in week 2. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller left the Buckeye's last game against San Diego State with an MCL sprain, and although he could have played today with a brace, Urban Meyer saw no need to risk his long-term health.
Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton has already proven himself as a capable deputy for Miller, and Guiton started today's game in Miller's place.
From the early going, this game looked like a wild one. The Buckeyes forced a California three-and-out on the first series, and even though they started from their own 6-yard line, from the second they touched the ball on offense they looked dangerous. On just their second play, Kenny Guiton hit Devin Smith for a 90-yard touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 7-0 just 1:21 into the game.
Cal didn't look any better on their next drive - although they moved the chains on first down this time, they were forced into another punt after just four plays. Philly Brown returned the punt for seven yards, and the Buckeyes started their next drive from their own 20.
Once again, it took just two plays for the Buckeyes to strike. An electric 26-yard rush by the dynamic freshman Dontre Wilson set up another touchdown strike to Devin Smith - this time a 47-yarder. After just four offensive plays and under three minutes of game time, the Buckeyes were up 14-0.
California looked shell-shocked, and QB Kevin Goff didn't help the Bears save face when his fumble was recovered by Michael Bennett just a few plays into their next drive. Ohio State took over at the Cal 23, and it wasn't long before the Buckeyes were looking at a 4th and 1 at the Cal 1-yard line.
Urban Meyer's faith in Kenny Guiton never wavered. The kicking team stayed on the sidelines, and Kenny Guiton found Chris Fields to put the Buckeyes up 21-0 with just six minutes of time elapsed.
The rest of the quarter kept the same breakneck pace. On Cal's next possession, a blown coverage left Cal wideout James Grisom wide open down the left sideline. A Buckeye DB could have made a tackle, but instead elected to try and push Grisom down - Grisom kept his balance and sprinted all the way to the end zone to put Cal on the board. With 8 minutes left in the first quarter, the score was already 21-7 Buckeyes.
Ohio State's first extended (longer than four plays) drive ended with a Drew Basil field goal that put the Bucks up 24-7, but Cal once again exploited a gap in coverage to break Chris Harper open for a 42 yard touchdown with the quarter almost over.
At the end of a wild first quarter, Ohio State led the Golden Bears 24-14
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