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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > October > 24 > Entry
Domicone’s “game-changer” helps reinvigorated Buckeyes dump Minnesota, 38-7
COLUMBUS — With a reinvigorated offense led by much-scrutinized quarterback Terrelle Pryor and another stifling defensive performance — keyed by big plays from three Miami Valley products — Ohio State dumped the mistake-prone Minnesota Gophers, 38-7, Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State’s defensive effort included interceptions by linebacker Austin Spilter of Bellbrook High and safety Kurt Coleman of Northmont, but “the biggest play of the day, the momentum changer of the game,” — as Spitler put it — came from Zack Domicone, the redshirt freshman from Beavercreek High.
His recovery of a fumble by Minnesota’s Troy Stoudemire on the opening kick-off of the second half electrified the Bucks, who quickly broke open the close game.
Although Domicone returned the fumble 31 yards for a touchdown, the score was nullified because rules say the ball could not be advanced. Three plays later Pryor rushed 15 yards for a touchdown to put the Bucks up 14-0 and the rout was on.
“When we come out of locker room, Coach Tress always talks about how Recon — our kick-off team — has to set the tone, so it was good to set that tone and get our team started in the second half,” said Domicone, who missed the first four games this season with a torn groin muscle and was sidelined at the end of Saturday game’s with a slightly sprained ankle.
“With the wind in our face, we had a pooch right call on. We were trying to get height on it and have a little shorter kick and they weren’t ready for it. They didn’t have a guy in that area to catch the ball and that put the returner in bind. He dove for it, it hit him in his chest and bounced up.
“For me, it was all reaction. I was so close to it and a lot of people would try to dive on it because it’s kind of dangerous to try to scoop it. But my first instinct was just to scoop it up and run it into the end zone.”
“I heard a whistle when I first grabbed it, but it didn’t register in my mind. I guess you can’t advanced a muffed kick off…. Still, it changed things around for us.
“It’s kind of crazy. It’s something I’ve been thinking about all week — just how cool it would be if that happened — and with pooch, I knew I had opportunity to do that.”
If Domicone turned in the defensive play of the game, the high point of OSU’s 510-yard offensive day was Pryor’s mostly mistake-free performance. Except for an interception just before the half, Pryor bounced back nicely after a disastrous, four-turnover performance in a loss to Purdue last Saturday.
Against the Gophers, Pryor threw for two touchdowns to DeVier Posey and ran for another, finishing the day with 239 passing yards (on 13 for 25 passing) and 104 rushing yards.
One downer on the day was the possible concussion suffered by Brandon Saine, the starting tailback from Piqua High. He had rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries before being injured in the second quarter. He spent the second half sitting on the bench, bundled up in a hooded sweatsuit.
The Bucks are now 6-2. Minnesota is 4-4.
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Comments
By vest
October 25, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
The reason people bash the buckeyes for beating a cupcake is because of the fickle fans. One week when they lose they call for Tressel’s head, call for pryor to move to wide-out etc..then they beat cupcake and everybody thinks their team is magically good again.
By hey null
October 25, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
Hey null reread the 7:25 a.m. post then apoligize for your ignorance.
By scott
October 25, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
The Buckeyes can’t win with some people. They lose and they get criticized, and when they win they say they did not beat anybody. If you hate the Buckeyes so much, quit following them
By null
October 25, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
OSU did not play Airforce, quit hating.
By vest
October 25, 2009 7:25 AM | Link to this
Tom…please….the buckeyes beat a team whose biggest win was against air force. I guess next you will be telling us that they deserve a chance at the national championship.Get a clue.
By mikey
October 25, 2009 6:08 AM | Link to this
ok BCS send out the invitations..the suckeyes beat the gophers..whoopee s_ _t
By hopper
October 25, 2009 5:48 AM | Link to this
The coach actually got his corvett started. Now lets see if he can get it in gear and get it rolling without stalling it.
By Jon
October 24, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
This is a very young Buckeye Football Team .. Lookin’ awesome today . Zach Domicone from Beavercreek HS the 6’3” 218 lb DB on special teams was outstanding . Plus another Fr in RB Jermil Martin 6’0” 232 lb Rb ..Go Buckeyes and Terrelle Pryor !