Sunday, September 26, 1999
OSU NOTEBOOK
Rambo's heroics rescue Bucks again
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS — For the second straight week, wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo was the difference for Ohio State.
Last week against Ohio, Rambo caught a key third-down pass that saved Ohio State's first touchdown drive and later scored on a 68-yard strike from Steve Bellisari. Saturday against Cincinnati, he outran UC's defensive backs to a long Bellisari 45-yard bomb and turned it into a 59-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 17-10 and ignited the Buckeyes' offense.
Rambo's stats against UC were gaudy: three catches for 164 yards. It's his speed that has made the difference in his three straight breakout games.
“He's playing about how we thought he would play,” coach John Cooper said. “He's made big plays, but it's pretty obvious he's fast. If they're going to put the corner(backs) out there on an island, we'll keep throwing the ball downfield.”
Rambo has emerged as the long-ball threat and Reggie Germany (six catches for 90 yards) as more of a possession receiver.
“Catch deep passes, short passes, block,” Rambo said. “Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.”
Ohio State again needed the big plays, because it seemed to be the only consistent way of moving the ball. The offensive line isn't running over people on the running game much of the time.
“I don't care how we get the ball down the field,” Cooper said. “If they're going to put eight people in the box, we're going to throw it.”
RAMBO OK: Rambo sprained his ankle on a 55-yard catch that set up the go-ahead touchdown, but it's not expected to sideline him for this week's Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.
OTT'S DAY: After a weak performance against Ohio last week, sophomore middle linebacker Jason Ott (Elder High) desperately wanted a better showing this week. UC ran the ball well in the first half, but Ott ended up with 11 tackles and an interception.
“I knew I needed to step it up big time,” Ott said. “I watched a lot of film, just tried to keep learning and go out and make plays.”
COOPER'S 100TH: The Buckeyes' win was the 100th career victory at Ohio State for Cooper, whose players gave him a scarlet-and-grey game ball to commemorate it.
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