• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Smith, Ohio State look to keep rolling vs. Minnesota

Oct 24, 2006 - 7:17 PM Minnesota (3-5) at No. 1 Ohio St (8-0), 3:30 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) - Troy Smith and Ohio State likely will not be slowed down this weekend.

The Heisman Trophy favorite, Smith looks to lead the top-ranked Buckeyes to a 16th consecutive victory when they host struggling Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday.

Smith threw four first-half touchdowns, each to a different receiver, last weekend as the Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) crushed Indiana, 44-3. The senior signal-caller has thrown 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season to lead the Big Ten and rank fourth nationally in passing efficiency (176.4).

Ohio State is tied with Louisiana State for the national lead in scoring defense, allowing 8.25 points per game.

The Golden Gophers (3-5, 0-4), meanwhile, barely beat a Division I-AA team last Saturday, defeating North Dakota State, 10-9, by blocking a go-ahead field-goal try in the final seconds.

Amir Pinnix rushed 25 times for 97 yards and a fourth-quarter TD for the Gophers, who won despite managing only 12 first downs, converting just 4-of-13 third downs and getting outgained, 380-249.

Ohio State has dominated the series, going 31-2 since 1969, including a 45-31 road win last year behind a career-high 186 yards from Antonio Pittman.

Gophers coach Glen Mason graduated from Ohio State in 1972 and was a member of the Buckeyes' staff from 1978-85, including a six-season stint as offensive coordinator.