Earle Bruce’s Ohio State Buckeyes opened the season ranked 14th nationally with sophomore QB Mike Tomczak at the helm replacing the graduated All-Big Ten QB Art Schlichter. The rest of the team was experienced with All-American LB Marcus Marek as well as All-Big Ten players OG Joe Lukens, DT Jerome Foster, RB Tim Spencer, & TE John Frank. The Baylor Bears of coach Grant Teaff stood 1-0 as they made their first appearance in a Belt game. The Bears’ defense featured All-SWC DE Charles Benson while the offense depended on All-SWC WR Gerald McNeil. Ohio State’s RB Vaughn Broadnax scored 2 touchdowns to lead a rushing attack that amassed 282 yards in a 21-14 win over the Bears to retain The Belt. Broadnax scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to complete a 78-yard drive in the 1st quarter & on a 4-yard touchdown run to finish an 80-yard drive in the 2nd quarter as the Buckeyes took a 14-0 lead. The second touchdown followed an interception by Ohio State’s CB Kelvin Bell late in the 1st quarter. After the Buckeyes failed to complete a pass from a fake field goal attempt, Baylor’s QB Mike Brannan drove the Bears 66 yards in 7 plays. Bears’ RB Alfred Anderson caught a 15-yard touchdown pass for the score but the Buckeyes still held a 14-7 halftime lead. To open the 2nd half, Baylor’s LB Ervin Randle intercepted Tomczak at the Buckeyes’ 28-yard line. The Bears drove to the Ohio State 8-yard line but a missed field goal attempt by PK Marty Jimmerson left the Bears trailing 14-7. Three plays after the missed field goal attempt, Baylor’s DE Travis Selph recovered a fumble by Spencer at the Ohio State 47-yard line. It took 11 plays but the Bears tied the game at 14-14 when RB Robert Williams scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. Baylor was forced to punt on the next possession & Ohio State’s S Garcia Lane returned the kick 18 yards to the Baylor 37-yard line. The Buckeyes drove for the touchdown in 9 plays with Tomczak sneaking in from the 1-yard line for the score with 9:52 left in the game. The Bears last chance started when Baylor’s CB Grey Stogner blocked a Buckeyes’ punt giving the Bears’ possession at the Ohio State 46-yard line with 4:34 remaining. Ohio State’s LB Glen Cobb intercepted Brannan on the second play & the Buckeyes ran out the clock for the win. Tomczak finished with 93 yards passing but 2 interceptions while throwing only 4 passes in the 2nd half. Broadnax rushed for 101 yards with his 2 scores & Spencer added 147 yards rushing. Brannan threw for 68 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions in the loss. Ohio State finished the season 9-3; ranked 12th nationally while the Bears finished 4-6-1. Baylor would play for The Belt again in 1991.
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