Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Tampa, Fla. — Auburn rode the hot arm of Reggie Slack, who accounted for all four Tiger touchdowns in a 31-14 win over Ohio State.

The Buckeyes took an early 14-3 lead and appeared to have things going their way. But the momentum changed abruptly just before the half when Slack teamed up with Greg Taylor on an 11-yard scoring pass with 11 seconds left to play. The TD drive covered 33 yards and took just three plays.

The War Eagles kept the pressure on after intermission, scoring on their first possession, Slack and Taylor teaming up again, this time from four yards out.

Two fourth quarter TDs by the Tigers put the game out of reach. Slack, who completed his last 11 passes and was a near-unanimous choice as MVP, ran five yards for the first and flipped a two-yard toss to Herbert Casey for the second.

OSU flanker Jeff Graham was an early star for Ohio State, setting up the Buckeyes’ second TD with a 68-yard catch-and-run. Graham finished with five receptions for 103 yards, but didn’t play the second half due to a pulled groin muscle.

The Buckeyes playing in their first ever Hall of Fame Bowl closed out the season at 8-4.