Miller, Buckeyes survive scare from California, win 35-28

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes just wouldn’t be denied. Miller found Smith for the second time in the afternoon, this one for 72 yards, as the 12th ranked Buckeyes defeated a pesky California team before 105,322 at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio.

“It’s discouraging for sure because we came here to win,” said Cal coach Jeff Tedford. “Liker I told this football team, it proves than we can play anybody at any place.”

The game early looked like a route as they Buckeyes built an early 20-7 lead thanks in large part to Miller who was a one-man show.

Miller started the scoring off in the first quarter when he made a quick move at that the line of scrimmage before getting to the outside and scampering 55 yards for the score.

The Golden Bears would answer right back as Zach Maynard found Chris Harper for a 19-yard score to give Cal the 7-6 lead.

From there it was all the Buckeyes as Miller first found Devin Smith for a 25-yard touchdown catch. It was all Smith on the play as he leaped high over the Cal defender in the end zone for the score. The Buckeyes would up its lead too 20-7 early in the second as Miller found Stoneburner for a 1-yard score.

From there the Golden Bears’ defense played tough and shut down the Buckeyes. While the Buckeyes’ offense struggled to get going, the Cal offense found its way and started chipping away at the lead.

Cal would cut the lead midway through the third quarter when Brendan Bigelow spun away from two would-be Ohio State tackles and raced down the sideline for an 81-yard score.

Cal would take its second lead of the game as Maynard capped off a very impressive drive with a 1-yard run up the gut.

Cal’s lead was short lived; however, as Miller led his team on a nice drive capped off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Stoneburner.

The Bears had one more answer in them as Bigelow broke a couple of tackles before going for 59 yards and the score.

The Bears had a few more opportunities to take the lead but missed field goals did them in, including a 42-yard attempt with just over five minutes to go in the game.

The Buckeyes would finally take advantage just a few plays later as Miller, scrambling, found a wide-open Smith for a 72-yard touchdown.

“It was a cover two, we had a safety over the top and the quarterback came running,” said Tedford, “and it was a touchdown.”

The Golden Bears would have one last chance to tie the game but Maynard’s pass with 1:08 to go in the game was intercepted by Christian Bryant.

News and notes: California place kicker Vincenzo D’Amato missed all three field goal attempts on the day; the 81-yard touchdown run by Bigelow was the longest from scrimmage since Javid Best’s 93 yard run against UCLA back in 2009; Miller had a hand in all five of the Buckeyes’ touchdowns, throwing for a career best four and rushing for one other; Miller threw for 249 yards, which was a career high surpassing the 235 he threw against Michigan last year. Maynard finished the day 26-37 for 280 yards with a touchdown and a pick.