BUCKEYES BEAT MIAMI

OHIO SPORTS INFORMATION

 Braxton Miller made Urban Meyer'sdebut even more memorable.

Miller rushed for 161 yards, a record for an Ohio State quarterback, and threw for two scores to lead the 18th-ranked Buckeyes to a 56-10 victory over Miami (Ohio).

Meyer, who won two national titles at Florida, is unbeaten in 11 season openers. He had worked as a TV analyst a year ago after stepping down from the Gators job due to health and family considerations.

He was hired last November to revive the beleaguered Buckeyes.

The slow-starting Miller, who stutter-stepped for a 65-yard score just 17 seconds into the second half, was 14-of-24 passing for 207 yards. He connected with Devin Smith for one highlight-reel score and also hit Corey Brownon a 5-yard TD pass.

After Miller's long run made it 28-3, Bradley Robyrecovered a high Miami punt snap in the end zone and the rout was on.

Travis Howard had two interceptions and Carlos Hydescored on 4- and 8-yard runs for Ohio State.

Miller and Hyde, who had 82 yards on 17 carries, helped the Buckeyes roll up 294 yards on the ground and 244 through the air.

Much like during the early spring - when Meyer called the attempts to learn his new hurry-up, spread offense a "clown show" - the Buckeyes struggled at the outset. With Miller completing just one of his first seven passes, Ohio State was outgained 172-48 in the opening quarter before a stunned crowd of 105,039 at Ohio Stadium which came expecting to see a refurbished and cutting-edge offense. The first four possessions ended with punts.

Meanwhile, the RedHawks bumbled despite taking a 3-0 lead after the first 15 minutes.

Zac Dysert, who completed 31 of 53 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown with the two interceptions, was victimized by dropped catches again and again. Three times it appeared the RedHawks had a first down after a catch when the ball abruptly came loose.

Smith's spectacular reception turned the tide.

Taking over at their own 17 after a punt, the Buckeyes needed just four plays to cover the distance and take the lead for good. Miller used a play-action fake to freeze the defense before hitting Brown for a 38-yard gain to the Miami 23. Miller then threw high and hard into the right corner of the end zone where Smith leaped, snagged the ball with his right hand and, while twisting, tucked it in as he crashed to the ground.

Once they figured out how to score, the Buckeyes kept it up.

Miller rolled right and flipped a short pass to Brown for a TD before Hyde burst in off right tackle for a 21-3 lead.

A 44-yard throw from Miller to Evan Spencerwith 3 seconds left in the half gave Ohio State the ball at the 1, but Hyde was stopped by Miami's Justin Bowers short of the goal line.

Miller scored just 17 seconds into the second half, juking and then speeding past the Redhawks' D.J. Brown down the left sideline for the lengthy score. Moments later, a high snap tipped off the fingertips of Miami punter Zac Murphy, with Roby winning a scrum in the end zone for the touchdown and a 35-3 lead.

Miami's Nick Harwell, fourth in the nation a year ago in yards receiving per game, had a couple of the drops but still finished with 120 yards on eight receptions. Harwell caught a 44-yarder from Dysert for the RedHawks' touchdown early in the third quarter.

The RedHawks had taken advantage of Ohio State's early offensive misplays to take the lead on freshman Kaleb Patterson's 22-yard field goal - not long after he had missed a chip shot from almost the same distance.

Miller's rushing total eclipsed the previous record of 146 yards set by Cornelius Greene against Wisconsin in 1974.

Brown finished with seven catches. The Buckeyes' leading receivers a year ago had 14 receptions in 13 games.

Meyer took over a battered program that was nailed by suspensions and NCAA investigations last year while going 6-7 last year, the program's first losing record since 1988. As a result of NCAA violations committed under the Jim Tressel regime, the Buckeyes are banned from playing in a bowl game after the season.

OHIO STATE POSTGAME PLAYER QUOTES

Carlos Hyde, junior running back
On the Ohio State offense
"Our offense is built to keep scoring. That's Coach Meyer's standard and to have fun."

On the first quarter
"We came out slow, but once we got on a roll we got going. This game was big and we came out prepared. It was exciting once we started to put it all together."

On his running game
"I definitely want 100 yards in a game. I realize if I would've broken one more tackle I could have maybe reached it. It's something I can work towards this season."

Bradley Roby, sophomore defensive back
On special teams
"Coach Meyer has instilled in us the importance of special teams. Many teams don't focus on it as much, but it has been a priority for us."

On the fumble recovery
"I rushed the punter, heard the crowd and figured something had happened. I saw the ball and just went for it. I felt the ball and muscled it away from the others. I don't know if it was my teammates or not, but I just wanted the ball."

Travis Howard, senior defensive back
On the game
"We just have today to celebrate. Coach Meyer wants us to celebrate it, of course, but we have to get back to work. The first quarter we couldn't get anything going, but we were able to regroup and get ready for the next quarter."

On his interception and the play of Miami quarterback Zac Dysert
"It was a great play. I wish I would have taken it in the end zone. He (Zac Dysert) is a great quarterback though. I guarantee he'll be in the National Football League one day. He has the arm strength and athleticism to make the big play."

Etienne Sabino, senior linebacker
On playing Miami
"It was exciting to get back out there. We've been through camp and a long offseason, so it was nice to get out there and play someone else. We cannot start slow like that again, but we got the win and in the end that's all that matters."

On Miami's running game
"It was our number one goal to completely stop the run. If they did try to run we wanted to close it up immediately."

Ryan Shazier, sophomore LB
On overall opinion about the game
"I think we did really well even though we started slow on offense and defense, we made our adjustments and really improved from the second quarter on."

On how he played in today's game
"I felt like I played well, but I can do a lot better, there are little things I can work on like my coverage, but I feel I had a decent game and I will continue to get better."

On how training camp prepared the team for the regular season
"We went through one of the hardest training camps in the nation and when we transfer that to the field we can really be great."

Zach Boren senior FB
On scoring a touchdown in today's game
"It was nice to be in the end zone. I haven't had a touchdown since my freshman year so it was cool to score again, but I really just want to do anything I can to help this team win, whether it means run the ball, block, or catch a pass."

On coach Meyer's general attitude during the game
"Coach Meyer actually stayed really calm, but you could tell he was trying to get us to go. He was calling different formations trying to get us in a rhythm to break through that defense."

Devin Smith, sophomore wide receiver
On his reception in the second quarter
"It was definitely my best all time catch. I've had some catches at practice but nothing like this one."

On the rest of the season
"We're just going to keep working hard. For me, I plan on working hard with Braxton [Miller] and Coach to continue to get better."

On Braxton Miller
"The biggest part of his performance today was his leadership."