James Miller Ohio State defenders Pat O'Neil (36), Fred Pagac Jr. (46), and Mike Kudla converge on Minnesota's Antoine Burns in the second half of OSU's 34-3 win Saturday.

COLUMBUS -- You could have heard a pin -- or, more fittingly, a flustered running back, harassed quarterback or penalty flag -- drop.

Ohio State safety Donnie Nickey thought the Minnesota Golden Gophers might engage him in some trash talk Saturday after he had questioned the suspect schedule they played en route to a 7-1 record.

But he didn't hear a peep.

In fact, the 104,897 in Ohio Stadium kept waiting for the supposedly high-powered Gophers to show some sign of life as sixth-ranked OSU held No. 23 Minnesota to 112 yards of total offense -- just 7 in the second half -- for a 34-3 victory.

The Buckeyes (10-0, 5-0 in the Big Ten) did it without tailback Maurice Clarett, whose left shoulder injury kept the freshman sensation watching the rout from the sidelines.

"What I said and what ended up in the Minnesota paper, I don't know understand why it was a big deal," said Nickey, who suggested earlier in the week that the Gophers hadn't played anyone the caliber of Ohio State.

"My coaches kind of got on me. 'Are you talking smack?' I thought it was an honest assessment, and I think we proved it."

The Gophers, ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and sixth nationally in rushing, were rendered speechless after being held to 53 yards on 36 attempts. Terry Jackson II, the league's leading ground-gainer, mustered just 49 yards on 16 carries for Minnesota, whose longest gain from scrimmage was 11 yards.

"I didn't hear a word (from them)," Nickey said, with a wry grin. "I'm sure it would have been different if they had run it up on us."

There wasn't much chance of that happening. With Minnesota's running game stymied, the Big Ten's worst passing offense was in no condition to bail out the Gophers (7-2, 3-2). Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq managed only 59 yards passing on 10 completions and was sacked four times.

So dominant were the Buckeyes that Minnesota was flagged four times for holding.

"We knew that Minnesota was in the top 10 in the nation in rushing and we didn't want them controlling the clock," safety Mike Doss said. "It was 11 guys working hard (on defense) and believing in themselves."

Ohio State has allowed only 10 points over the last 10 quarters and has shut out its last four opponents in the second half.

"Part of it is confidence and part of it is playing a Big Ten schedule," Nickey said, referring to the more conventional offenses the Buckeyes have seen in conference play after being fed a steady diet of "spread" attacks in the non-conference season.

"We're playing physical teams now and getting used to the pounding. It's just an attitude, knowing we have a chance to do a lot of things as a team."

Nickey's blocked punt led to a late first-half field goal and provided momentum for another second half pullaway by the Buckeyes. They outscored the Gophers 24-0 in the final two periods and have now outclassed the opposition 175-38 after intermission this season.

Apparently, Minnesota coach and OSU alum Glen Mason wasn't watching the same game as everyone else.

"If you look at today's score, I think it's somewhat misleading," Mason said. "To come into a setting like Ohio Stadium and perform the way we did, I think says a lot. The perception that we did not play good because we allowed 34 points, I don't think is true."

Mason obviously felt holding the Buckeyes to 322 yards was a moral victory. Still, tailbacks Lydell Ross (89 yards, 20 carries, 2 TDs) and Maurice Hall (93 yards, 14 carries, 1 TD) performed admirably in Clarett's absence, Mike Nugent kicked two more field goals and Chris Vance caught a 30-yard TD pass from quarterback Craig Krenzel on the day he found out his brother was murdered in their hometown of Fort Myers, Fla.

"There are doubters out there, but I don't worry about them," Ross said about the skeptics who downgrade OSU's attack without Clarett. "We have other tailbacks who can step up and bring something to the table. If you put us in the game we can do it."

Originally published Sunday, November 3, 2002