No. 9 Bucke Beat Cowboys

Stanley Jackson ran for one touchdown and passed for one as ninth-ranked Ohio State got untracked after a lethargic first half to beat Wyoming 24-10 Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio.

Despite teams that each averaged almost 40 points a game a year ago, defense dominated. Ohio State, coming off an 11-1 record and No. 2 ranking in 1996, picked off three passes and limited the Cowboys to 323 yards, while Wyoming frustrated the Buckeyes’ mistake- and penalty-prone offense again and again.

Ohio State’s 35-game streak of sellouts ended on the third night game in Ohio Stadium history. A crowd of 89,122, 719 less than capacity, watched the inaugural State Farm Eddie Robinson Football Classic, benefiting the Black Coaches Association.

Jackson completed 6 of 10 passes for 112 yards and carried 11 times for 75 yards. Joe Germaine, the MVP of Ohio State’s 20-17 Rose Bowl victory over Arizona State, hit 9 of 13 passes for 98 yards.

Michael Wiley gained 121 yards on 10 carries and Pepe Pearson carried 14 times for 71 yards as Ohio State totaled 500 yards.

Kansas 24, Alabama-Birmingham 0

At Lawrence, Kan., Patrick Brown became the third linebacker in NCAA history to return two interceptions for touchdowns as the Wildcats beat the Blazers.

Brown, a 210-pound outside linebacker, picked off Lee Jolly’s pass in the second quarter and went 51 yards down the sideline for Kansas’ second TD.

In the third period, the 5-foot-10 junior nabbed another pass from Jolly, a redshirt freshman. Brown weaved 23 yards through heavy traffic, dragging defenders across the goal line for a 24-0 lead with 14:44 left.

Villanova 64, West Chester 0

At Villanova, Pa., sophomore quarterback Chris Boden threw four touchdown passes in the first quarter, three to Brian Finneran, as the Wildcats rolled in a game that was halted by lightning with 14:20 left in the third period. Officials called the game because of weather.

Villanova led 64-0 at halftime, breaking the school record for most points in a game.

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