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Ohio State takes juice out of Illinois

Nov 15, 2008 - 11:07 PM CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- Ohio State avenged a stunning loss to Illinois last season with a vintage display of power football.

Chris "Beanie" Wells and Terrelle Pryor each rushed for over 100 yards Saturday on a cool day as the 10th-ranked Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Illini, 30-20, to keep alive their Big Ten Conference title hopes.

"I'll tell you what - today was a tough football game, tough conditions," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "A Big Ten road situation, and I thought our guys did all the things or most of the things you need to do to be successful."

Ohio State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) can gain at least a share of its fourth straight Big Ten title with a win over rival Michigan next week. If Penn State loses to Michigan State, the Buckeyes can claim the crown outright with a victory over the Wolverines.

Last season, Juice Williams threw four touchdowns as Illinois shocked then-No. 1 Ohio State, 28-21, in Columbus.

"The three games that I have played against Illinois have been battles," Ohio State linebacker James Laurinitis said. "This one was no exception. They are a great team with a great offense. We knew we had a big challenge."

On Saturday, the Buckeyes converted two turnovers by Williams into 14 points in the first half and opened a 23-13 lead at the intermission.

"We had lots of mistakes and sometimes we were on different pages out there," said Williams, who completed 17-of-26 passes for 193 yards.

The Fighting Illini (5-6, 3-4) are in danger of becoming the first team since Michigan in 1965 to finish with a losing record the season after playing in the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State wore down Illinois with a punishing ground attack, rushing for 306 yards. Of the Buckeyes' 61 total plays, 51 were runs, and they attempted just two passes in the second half.

"You can't turn the ball over and have a chance to win," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "You can't give up 300 yards rushing and have a chance to win."

Wells rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, and Pryor added 110 yards and a score on only 13 attempts.

Ohio State clearly enjoys playing away from the Horseshoe, winning its 15th straight Big Ten road game. Wells felt the conditions - temperature in the highs 30s - were ideal for the Buckeyes' to pound the ball on the ground.

"It was a running back's dream," he said. "Cold and wet - what more could you ask for?"

Ohio State took a 7-0 lead with 8:48 remaining in the first quarter on Pryor's 1-yard TD run, which came after Williams fumbled at Illinois' 19-yard line.

"It was a guy coming behind," Williams said of his fumble. "I really didn't expect him coming, but he hit the ball right on the nose and knocked it out. It's no excuse because I've got to hold the ball high and tight to project the football."

Williams answered with a 7-yard TD pass to Jeff Cumberland, but the Buckeyes regained the lead when Malcolm Jenkins blocked a punt for a safety. Ohio State made it 16-7 on Wells' 3-yard TD scamper.

"There was a lot of wind today, so we couldn't throw as much," Pryor said. "They have a great offense, so our game plan was to run the clock."

Williams tried to bring the Fighting Illini back again, but was picked off at the Buckeyes' 12.

Ohio State cashed that turnover into another score, grabbing a 23-7 on Pryor's 20-yard TD strike to Dane Sanzenbacher with 6:30 remaining in the first half.

Matt Eller kicked a pair of field goals in the final 2:39 of the first half to pull the Illini within 23-13 at the intermission.

Ohio State put away the game on a 12-yard TD run by backup running back Daniel Herron three minutes into the fourth quarter.

Illinois got a meaningless score on Williams' 24-yard TD pass to Chris Duvalt in the final minute.