Mon Jan 7 21:09:40 2008

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Buckeyes lead LSU after one quarter

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New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Chris Wells' 65-yard touchdown run, less than two minutes into the game, gave the Buckeyes the lead, and top-ranked Ohio State remained ahead of No. 2 LSU, 10-3 after one quarter of the BCS national championship contest at the Louisiana Superdome.

Matt Flynn started at quarterback for the Tigers, and after a slow start, led his team to a scoring drive late in the quarter, resulting in a 32-yard field goal from Colt David.

During the first possession, the Buckeyes converted a 3rd-and-5 as Todd Boeckman threw seven yards to Brian Robiskie, moving the ball to the 35. On the next play, Wells got a great block by guard Ben Person and darted up the middle before cutting to the right and dashing to the end zone, just 1:26 into the game.

It was a quick start for the Buckeyes for a second straight year in the national championship game. Last year, Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but Ohio State was routed by the Florida Gators, 41-14.

Conversely, it was a poor start for the Tigers and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, in his final game at LSU. Pelini, who will take over as the head coach at Nebraska next season, guided a defensive unit that was ranked third in the nation during the season, giving up an average of 283.8 yards per contest. However, the Buckeyes struck for a couple of long plays in the first 15 minutes.

LSU failed to get a first down on its initial possession and it became 10-0 on Ryan Pretorius' 25-yard field goal with 9:12 left in the quarter. Boeckman put the Buckeyes at the LSU 15 with a 44-yard pass to Brandon Saine on the first play of the march, but LSU's defense then held.

The Buckeyes, winners in 30 of their last 32 games, came into the game with the nation's No. 1 defense (225 ypg). They allowed the Tigers to move 65 yards, with David's kick coming with 2:21 left in the period. LSU converted a trio of third downs during the march, including two on runs by Jacob Hester.

Chad Jones fumbled on a punt return for the Tigers with seven seconds left, but LSU retained possession as the quarter came to a close.

LSU or Ohio State is trying to become the first team to win a second BCS national title. Since the inception of the BCS championship contest in 1998, nine different teams have been crowned victors, including the Buckeyes in the 2002 campaign and the Tigers in the 2003 season.