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Hyde, OSU run over Iowa, 34-24

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – No. 4 Ohio State found a way to keep its winning streak alive just in time.

Carlos Hyde ran for 149 yards, including 106 yards and two touchdowns in the second half, to lead the Buckeyes to a 34-24 victory over Iowa on Saturday.

It was the Buckeyes’ 19th consecutive victory, the most in the nation and tying the second-best streak in school history.

But it didn’t come easy.

The Hawkeyes (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) dominated offensively in the first half and led 21-14 at the break behind the passing of Jake Rudock and running of Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock.

But Hyde tied it with the first rushing TD against Iowa this season on Ohio State’s first drive of the third quarter, and the Buckeyes took over.

Braxton Miller completed 22 of 27 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and added 102 yards rushing for the Buckeyes (7-0, 3-0), who haven’t lost in Urban Meyer’s two years as head coach.

Rudock threw for three touchdowns, completing 19 of 34 passes for 245 yards with one interception.

After watching Iowa’s offense control the first half, the Buckeyes outgained the Hawkeyes 306-153 in the last two quarters. They piled up a 23:05-6:55 edge in time of possession.

Ohio State’s All-Big Ten cornerback, Bradley Roby, was ejected from the game for a hit to the head of a receiver in the first quarter.

Teams had run 204 times this season against Iowa’s defense before the Buckeyes finally scored against the Hawkeyes. Hyde barely got the nose of the ball across the goal line from a yard out to tie the game at 17 on the first series of the second half.

The teams traded touchdowns – Miller hitting Devin Smith on a 14-yard scoring pass before Iowa evened it on the next snap on Rudock’s 85-yard TD pass to Jake Duzey – before Hyde scored again early in the fourth quarter to put Ohio State ahead for keeps.

The TD was set up by an acrobatic play by Miller. He stepped back on third and 7 at the Iowa 28, rolling right when the pocket collapsed. He scampered all the way to the right side, then reversed field and picked up blockers – tackle Jack Mewhort leveled a defender near the end – to gain nine yards and the first down.

On the next play, Hyde took a handoff and bounced off right tackle. He muscled his way to the 7-yard line, where he was hit hard by free safety Tanner Miller, the blow knocking him off balance. He had retreated all the way to the 11 by the time he regained his bearings and turned up the right sideline. Hyde ran to the 3 before vaulting just inside the corner post for the touchdown.

Ohio State’s defense finally held and forced a punt, with the Buckeyes adding Drew Basil’s field goal to make it a 10-point lead that they maintained the rest of the way.

Tyvis Powell then ended the Hawkeyes’ next drive when he intercepted Rudock’s pass at midfield.

Roby was ejected late in the first quarter when Rudock tossed a short pass over the middle to tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. Roby hit him high after an 11-yard gain.

The crowd of 105,264 booed loudly as the play was reviewed, and Roby was sent to the sideline. He then slowly walked to the locker room, all the while shaking his head.

The Hawkeyes dominated throughout the first half, piling up 222 yards against a defense that was giving up 326 per game.

Rudock completed all five passes, including a 2-yarder to Fiedorowicz for the touchdown, after taking the opening kick. Rudock completed passes for 24 and 15 yards, and Bullock, who led Iowa with 56 yards on 10 carries, added 16 more.

After the Buckeyes countered on Basil’s 27-yard field goal – the drive stalling when Miller’s pass on third and 5 at the 11 was batted down by tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat – Iowa again drove from its 23 to the Ohio State 10 before Mike Meyer’s 28-yard field goal.

The Buckeyes needed just four plays to cover 74 yards after the kickoff, with Miller finding Corey Brown alone in the secondary on a 58-yard scoring pass. Brown outran cornerback B.J. Lowery to the end zone.

The Hawkeyes got the ball again and moved almost effortlessly through Ohio State’s defense, which is without safety Christian Bryant (broken ankle) but regained Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington, two important injured linemen.

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