Ohio State came out of the gate fast with two quick scores for an early 14 point lead. The Black Knights fought back in the second quarter but then failed to contain the OSU offense as they absorbed their first loss of the season at the hands of the 8th ranked Buckeyes by a score of 38-7.
First Quarter - Buckeyes jump out to an early 14 point lead
Army West Point won the toss and deferred to the second half. Nick Schrage kicked it into the end zone for a touchback to give OSU the ball on their 25, and the Buckeyes wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with a 75 yard march in 8 plays, capped by a 6 yard run by JT Barrett, to take an early 7-0 lead.
Kell Walker returned the OSU kickoff 12 yards to the 18, where Army started it first possession. On the first play fullback Darnell Woolfolk took the ball outside for a first down to the 33, and fullback Calen Holt picked up another first down to the OSU 48 before the Buckeyes held on their 44, and Schrage punted the ball out of bounds to the OSU 6, where the Buckeyes started their second possession. It took a little longer for OSU to score their second touchdown as they marched 94 yards in 13 plays to extend their lead to 14-0.
Kell Walker returned the ball to the 20, but OSU forced a quick 3 and out and Schrage punted to the Buckeye 41. The Black Knight defense got a three-and-out forcing OSU to punt the ball to the Army 1 yard line. Woolfolk got Army some breathing room with a 4 yard plunge, and the Walker took a pitch outside to the 30 for an Army first down as time ran out in the first quarter.
Second Quarter - Army closes the gap with a 99 yard drive
OSU held Army to 8 yards in 3 plays, but Monken went for the first down and Woolfolk converted with a 2 yard plunge. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw completed a 9 yard pass to Zack Saum for a first down, and then ran for 8 yards to set up another first down to the OSU 48. Bradshaw, Walker and Woolfolk took turns moving the ball inside the OSU 10, and Woolfolk capped the 99 yard drive with a 3 yard plunge to put Army West Point on the scoreboard and cut the lead to 14-7.
Ohio State returned the kickoff out to the 39 but an unsportsmanlike conduct call set the Bucks back to their 25, where OSU started their 4th possession. The Buckeyes moved the ball out to the 41, and a 59 yard touchdown pass was called back on a holding call. OSU continued their march to the Army 15, where 2 incomplete passes brought up 3d and 10. Barrett was chased out of the pocket by linebacker James Nachtigal, defensive lineman John Voit came up to force him out of bounds on the 16, and OSU had to settle for a field goal to bring the score to 17-7.
Walker fielded a short kickoff and carried it out to the Army 37, where the Black Knights started their third possession. Bradshaw was dropped for a 2 yard lost and then got 3 back to bring up a 3d and 9. Bradshaw kept again for 8 and Monken elected to go for it again on 4th and 1 with a minute left on the clock, and Bradshaw picked up 4 for the first down inside Buckeye territory. Bradshaw missed a long pass, ran the ball, and then ran a pitch out play to run the clock out in the first half.
Third Quarter - Buckeyes increase their lead
Army received the ball to start the second half on their own 35. Woolfolk and fullback Andy Davidson took turns carryting the ball to the OSU 40. Bradshaw picked up 3 to the 37 and Woolfolk bulled for 7 more yards in two carries for another first down to the OSU 30. Freshman slotback Fred Cooper picked up a long yard on the outside and then it was back to Woolfolk for another 5 yards before Walker was dropped for a 2 yard loss to bring up 4th and 6 and Blake Wilson was sent in to attempt a FG that he hooked wide left.
OSU struck back quickly with two long runs of 22 and 52 yards by JK Dobbins to extend the OSU lead to 24-7.
Kell Walker brought the ensuing kickoff out to the Army 43. Woolfolk picked up 9 yards into OSU territory, and followed it with another yard for the first down at the OSU 45. Rick Kurz was injured on the play but walked off the field without assistance. Bradshaw threw the ball into coverage for an incomplete pass and followed with a 5 yard gain to the 40, but on the next play, Holt and Bradshaw missed a mesh and Ohio State pounced on the fumble for the only turnover of the day.
Barrett passed the ball to the flats, and senior safety Rhyan England was injured going for the tackle and left the game. Barrett quickly took advantage of England’s absence finding a receiver open down the middle for a quick first down on the Army 22. Barrett followed it up with a pass to a wide open receiver in the end zone and the Buckeyes increased their lead to 31-7.
The OSU kickoff was downed for a touchback giving Army the ball on their 25. Bradshaw lost yardage on two of the next 3 plays and Schrage punted to the OSU 36.
Army defenders got a couple of near sacks on the next series forcing the Buckeyes to punt and Army regained possession on their 20. Jaxon Deaton was called for a chop block (first penalty of the game) to push the ball back to the 10, but Andy Davidson got it back, plus some, with a 39 yard run as the quarter drew to a close with OSU in front 31-7.
Fourth Quarter - Buckeyes close out the game
Quick Stats
The Black Knights rushed for 259 yards in 58 carries, and added another 19 yards passing, while OSU ran for 270 yards and added 316 yards passing. Darnell Woolfolk was the leading rusher for Army with 75 net yards, with Andy Davidson adding 54 and Ahmad Bradshaw another 50. Bradshaw completed 2 of 7 pass attempts with a long of 10. Kelvin Hopkins was 0 of 1 passing. Army had 2 penalties for 22 yards and lost the turnover battle 1-0 on one lost fumble.
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