Recap

South Bend, IN — Fourth-ranked Ohio State overpowered No. 5 Notre Dame, 29-16, in South Bend, making it two straight wins over the Irish and squaring the all-time series at 2-2.

The Buckeyes outgained Notre Dame 391-280 on the day, including a 206-126 advantage in rushing yards.

OSU took command from the opening kickoff, thanks to an 85-yard kick return by Dimitrious Stanley that put the ball on the Irish 13-yard line. Tailback Pepe Pearson scored four plays later on a three-yard run to stake the Buckeyes to a 6-0 lead (the PAT failed).

Notre Dame led briefly at 7-6 on the strength of a five-yard touchdown pass from Irish quarterback Ron Powlus to senior fullback Marc Edwards with 6:05 to play in the first quarter. But the Buckeyes took control from that point, scoring on three of their next five possessions to power their way to a 22-7 halftime lead. Ohio State outgained Notre Dame 283-93 in the opening stanza.

The Fighting Irish opened up the second half with a field goal to pull within 22-10. Ohio State countered with a 13-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Stanley Jackson to senior tight end D.J. Jones, increasing the lead to 29-10.

Notre Dame closed the deficit to 29-16 with 7:01 to play on an Edwards nine-yard run, but could get no closer.

Buckeye senior linebacker Greg Bellisari turned in an outstanding performance, recording 14 tackles, 10 of them solos. Pearson ended the afternoon with a career-high 173 yard rushing on 29 carries and two touchdowns.