IU shows no offense while defense can't shut down OSU onslaught

Through three quarters of play Saturday, IU was outgained in yards by the Buckeyes more than nine times over, 461 to 51.\nWhile the Hoosier offense was going against the top defense in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country, the IU defense faced a Buckeye squad that ranked 10th in the conference in both pass and run offense. \nThe Hoosiers couldn't stop either.\nOSU gained 603 yards on the day, the most at home since IU gave up 606 to Kentucky six years ago.\n"We didn't come to play, that's all I have to say," junior safety Herana-Daze Jones said. "We're trying to rebuild our program, so we're going to take some bumps on the way. This was just one of them ... (OSU) had a good day on offense. They were on the field the whole time."\nThe Buckeyes asserted their offensive dominance from the opening drive of the game. OSU running back Lydell Ross had little trouble getting through the IU defensive line, racking up 67 yards and a touchdown on six carries.\nRoss had 100 yards rushing by the end of the quarter, and finished the day with 170 on the ground and 33 through the air.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said he was disappointed with the defense's difficulty containing the run, particularly its inability to plug the holes that Ross and OSU exploited.\n"We didn't fit the defense," DiNardo said. "I give Ohio State a lot of credit, but we have played gap defense much better than we played today. There is a player that is supposed to be there, and he wasn't always there. It was disappointing that we didn't play better gap control defense because we have during the season."\nOSU's success against the IU defense wasn't limited to the ground game. OSU freshman wideout Roy Hall beat IU freshman cornerback Cedric Henry for 49-yard play-action reception to set up OSU's second touchdown of the game. The Buckeye passing game was efficient, as OSU senior quarterback Craig Krenzel completed first-down passes on three of the Buckeyes' first four third downs. \nOSU converted five of its 11 third downs and both of its fourth downs, punting only twice in the game. Defensive lineman Jodie Clemons said that was one of IU's breakdowns.\n"We didn't get off of the field on third down," he said. "It's tough to win football games like that."\nThe lone defensive bright spots for IU came on turnovers. IU forced three; two fumble recoveries and an interception by Henry. The fumbles both came inside the IU 10-yard line, and saved a more lop-sided score.\nStill, Krenzel, who finished with 272 yards and a touchdown, said the IU defense has the players to succeed in the future. \n"They've got some talent and they're going to be a solid football team," Krenzel said. "I think the thing that made it most difficult for them today is we ran the ball well and we threw the ball well. Anytime you're faced with an offense that's balanced and can do both, it's a tremendous challenge for a defense."\n-- Contact staff writer Gavin Lesnick at glesnick@indiana.edu.