Bucke Turn Irish Turnovers Into Touchdowns - And Victory

After waiting 59 years for a chance to beat Notre Dame, Ohio State made the most of its opportunity.

The seventh-ranked Buckeyes scored three touchdowns following Irish turnovers during a 5-1/2-minute span in the second half, including an 82-yard catch by Terry Glenn, and beat No. 15 Notre Dame 45-26 Saturday in the first meeting of the schools since 1936.

Lou Holtz coached Notre Dame from the sideline for the first time since undergoing spinal surgery Sept. 12, but he couldn’t prevent the Irish from giving the ball away on three straight possessions in the third quarter.

The turnovers led to touchdowns by Ohio State (4-0), which quickly turned a 20-14 deficit into a 35-20 lead that Notre Dame (3-2) couldn’t overcome.

Eddie George rushed for 207 yards and two TDs for Ohio State and Bobby Hoying threw for 272 yards and four TDs. Glenn had four receptions for 128 yards and two scores, giving him seven TDs in his last three games.

It was only the third game between the traditional football powers. Notre Dame beat Ohio State 18-13 in their 1935 “Game of the Century” at Columbus and won again the following year, 7-2 at South Bend.

This year’s game drew a record crowd of 95,537 to Ohio Stadium.