Buckeyes turn over Huskies

Turnovers will kill a team’s ability to win a game and that’s exactly what happened to the Huskies today as they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes 33-14 in front of 74, 927 – the third largest crowd ever at Husky Stadium.

Ohio State QB Todd Boekman was efficient against the Husky defense completing 15 of 26 passes for 226 yards with two touchdowns and, more importantly, no interceptions. He also wasn’t sacked and was rarely harassed by the Husky front seven.

Two Huskies had chances to intercept Boeckman, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunities.

Sophomore RB Chris Wells abused Washington for 132 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown – a 14-yard jaunt after a Washington turnover.

Washington’s offense was able to drive the ball on the Ohio State defense most of the first half, but Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis got the first of his two interceptions when he tipped a Jake Locker shovel pass intended for Louis Rankin and then hauled it in to halt Washington’s first chance at a score.

Later, Locker came back and drove the Huskies 80 yards in nine plays capping an impressive drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to WR Anthony Russo with only three seconds remaining on the clock sending Washington into the locker room up 7-3.

The second half was a different story as the Huskies were dominated by the Buckeyes on both sides of the ball.m

Washington K Ryan Perkins had the second kick in as many weeks blocked and then after a short running play Boeckman hit Robiskie for the go ahead score over a badly beaten Vonzell McDowell Jr.

On the ensuing kickoff, freshman RB Curtis Shaw fumbled the ball and Ohio State recovered the ball at the Washington 23. Two plays later Wells took it over from 16 yards out putting the Dawgs in an insurmountable hole.

On the day, Locker completed 18 of 35 for 180 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was Washington’s leading rusher gaining 103 tough yards on 14 carries.

Rankin totaled 40 yards on the ground while Marcel Reece (5 catches for 66 yards), Corey Williams (4 for 63) and Russo (4 for 49 yards and a touchdown) were the big gainers for the Dawgs through the air.

On defense Butler had 11 tackles and two passes broken up, LB E.J. Savannah added eight with two tackles for loss and S Mesphin Forrester and DE Daniel Te’o Nesheim both had seven.

For the Buckeyes, Lauritnaitis had eight tackles, one sack and the two interceptions while CB Malcolm Jenkins and FS Anderson Russell each had eight tackles as well.

Next week Washington starts Pac 10 play with a game against UCLA on the road.