Cupcake gives OSU run for money

COLUMBUS, Ohio – After barely beating Ohio University, No. 3 Ohio State was not a happy football team. In fact, the sluggish win felt more like a loss.

“That was pathetic. It was a pathetic performance,” Buckeyes wide receiver Brian Hartline said after the Buckeyes rallied in the fourth quarter for 26-14 win over plucky Ohio, a 33 1/2-point underdog. “OU should’ve won the game. I don’t know how we came out with it.”

Lightly regarded even in its own Mid-American Conference, Ohio put a huge scare into the Buckeyes before OSU righted things by scoring the last 20 points. With 14 minutes left in the game, the Bobcats led 14-12.

With running back Beanie Wells watching from the sideline with a foot injury, the Buckeyes struggled to move the ball until Brandon Saine’s short plunge on the third play of the final quarter finally put them on top 19-14. Ray Small added some breathing room with a late 69-yard punt return.

This was not the tuneup the Buckeyes (2-0) needed before meeting top-ranked Southern California.

“I guess we move on and get ready for USC, but overall, that’s not good football,” Hartline said. “That was just one of those ones where you want to crawl into a hole and get ready for next week. That’s exactly how I feel.”

Ohio (0-2) had five turnovers to help the Buckeyes escape.

Ohio, which wore “O-S-Who?” T-shirts during its Friday walkthrough, led 7-6 at the half, 14-6 midway through the third quarter and 14-12 heading into the fourth.