OSU beats Cal 52-34

9/14/2013

FINAL

BERKELEY, Calif. — There is no quarterback controversy at Ohio State.

That said, how about Kenny Guiton?

With star Braxton Miller a late scratch, Guiton proved as adept starting as he is in relief in guiding the fourth-ranked Buckeyes to a 52-34 victory over California before a raucous bi-partisan crowd at Memorial Stadium.

In his first start since high school, the fifth-year senior from Houston threw for four touchdowns and ran for 92 yards to add the latest winning chapter to his unlikely story.

He found Devin Smith blistering down the right sideline for a 90-yard touchdown pass on the second play from scrimmage, and kept this stadium at the foot of the Berkeley hills — filled with nearly as much scarlet as yellow — rocking for the duration.

A career backup who admittedly once considered transferring, Guiton threw touchdown passes on OSU’s first three drives — including a 47-yard connection with Smith two plays after the first one — then ensured the Buckeyes (3-0) remained safely on the right side of a shootout.

By the end, OSU fans vastly outnumbered Cal supporters and the Urban Meyer era had reached a new offensive high. The Buckeyes’ 608 yards surpassed the previous high of 578 yards at Indiana last season.

 

HALFTIME

Jordan Hall ran for a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Ohio State took a 31-20 lead over California into halftime tonight at Memorial Stadium.

The Buckeyes and quarterback Kenny Guiton blistered to an early 21-0 lead, and spent the rest of the half holding on. Cal answered with a pair of touchdowns and two field goals.

Guiton, though, remained the story of the first half. Starting in place of Braxton Miller, who did not dress with a sprained left knee, the fifth-year senior threw touchdown passes on OSU's first three drives. Guiton tossed a 90-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith on the Buckeyes' second play from scrimmage, then followed two plays later with a 48-yard scoring pass to Smith. He also had a 1-yard touchdown pass to Chris Fields.

 

END OF FIRST

Kenny Guiton threw touchdown passes on the first three drives to push Ohio State to a 24-14 lead over California after the first quarter tonight at Memorial Stadium.

Starting in place of star quarterback Braxton Miller, who did not dress with a sprained left knee, Guiton threw a 90-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith on the Buckeyes' second play from scrimmage. He then followed with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Smith and a 1-yard toss to Chris Fields to put OSU ahead 21-0.

California answered with a pair of touchdowns.