COLUMBUS, Ohio — The formula for success at No. 16 Ohio State remains quite simple.

        “We're 7-2 right now because we're not turning the ball over and we're getting turnovers,” Buckeyes coach John Cooper said. “Our kicking game's been pretty sound. We're playing pretty good defense. That's how you win.”

        Safety Michael Doss jump-started the lethargic Buckeyes with a 73-yard fumble return and the defense shut down Michigan State in the last three quarters as Ohio State beat the Spartans 27-13 on Saturday.

        Derek Combs helped the Buckeyes play keepaway with the ball in the second half, running for 153 yards and a touchdown.

        Michigan State (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) couldn't sustain a 13-3 lead, turning the ball over four times and surrendering seven sacks.

        “Seventeen points on turnovers. You take that away and it's a whole different ball game,” Spartans coach Bobby Williams said. “It's not what they did. It's what we did.”

        Michigan State actually ran more plays in Ohio State territory than its own, 40-35. In the first half alone, 33 of the Spartans' 44 snaps took place in the Buckeyes' half of the field.

        The Buckeyes (7-2, 4-2), after giving up 115 yards in the first quarter, allowed only 96 yards in the final three periods.

        “We started well. We moved the ball up and down the field. The defense created turnovers and they gave us the ball in good position,” said Michigan State running back T.J. Duckett, who had 76 rushing yards at halftime but only seven in the second half. “But we couldn't put the ball in the end zone. That's been the story all year long.”

        Tied at 13 at halftime, the Buckeyes took their first lead on Steve Bellisari's 1-yard dive. The drive started at the 17 after Nate Clements returned Craig Jarrett's punt 20 yards and 15 yards were tacked on when Clements was hit after he stepped out of bounds.

        Bellisari, who was 9-for-20 for 132 yards passing, was intercepted twice and several other passes could have been picked off or were nowhere near an Ohio State receiver.

        Smoker, who completed 10-of-18 passes for 77 yards with an interception, also turned over the ball on two key plays that kept the Buckeyes in the game.
        Michigan State ....... 13 0 0 0—13

        Ohio State ....... 3 10 14 0—27

        First Quarter

        MSU—Flowers 1 run (Schaefer kick), 10:56.

        OSU—FG Stultz 47, 6:22.

        MSU—Smoker 6 run (kick failed), 2:23.

        Second Quarter

        OSU—Doss 73 fumble return (Stultz kick), 7:34.

        OSU—FG Stultz 38, :01.

        Third Quarter

        OSU—Bellisari 1 run (Stultz kick), 7:40.

        OSU—Combs 9 run (Stultz kick), :24.

        A—98,406.

        INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

        RUSHING—Michigan St., Duckett 15-83, Flowers 10-39, Dortch 2-10, Van Dyke 1-(minus 7), Smoker 11-(minus 17). Ohio St., Combs 31-153, Wells 4-19, Rambo 2-4, Martin 1-4, Westbrooks 4-(minus 4), Bellisari 8-(minus 19).

        PASSING—Michigan St., Smoker 10-18-1-77, Van Dyke 4-6-1-26. Ohio St., Bellisari 9-20-2-132, Stultz 0-1-0-0.

        RECEIVING—Michigan St., Flowers 3-32, Baker 2-21, Mullinder 2-20, Haygood 2-14, Richardson 2-14, McCoy 2-(minus 3), Waters 1-5. Ohio St., Cacchio 5-62, Combs 2-21, Rambo 1-40, Sanders 1-9.

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