Cornelius, N.C. – The Ohio State Club Football team will play for a national championship on Dec. 7.
The top-ranked Buckeyes completed a second half comeback to defeat No. 2 Columbus (GA) State after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter in the NCFA semifinals.
After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, Ohio State was forced to punt on its first drive as well. A bad snap on the punt set up a short Cougar touchdown drive, putting Columbus State up 7-0.
The Cougars extended their lead to 14-0 on their following drive midway through the first quarter. They would not score again.
After failing to record a first down in the opening quarter, a 44-yard pass from Ohio State quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein to freshman wide receiver Casey Scroggins set up a 26-yard field goal from Alex Strohm, making the score 14-3 at halftime.
After trading punts, Ohio State put together its first touchdown drive, marching 80 yards for a score, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Gerenstein to make the score 14-10 with 4:58 left in the third quarter.
The Buckeye defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive and Ohio State took the lead for good on a 48-yard catch-and-run from Gerenstein to wide receiver Geoff Green. Green finished with six receptions for 126 yards the the long score, and also added an interception on defense.
Playing in heavy rain throughout the game, Gerenstein completed 14-of-29 passes for 192 yards and the score to Green. He threw two interceptions, but also rushed 14 times for 60 yards and a score.
Leading 17-14, Ohio State drove into the red zone twice in the fourth quarter, but failed to come away with any points. A high snap on a field goal attempt resulted in a turnover on downs, before another fourth-down conversion was snuffed out by the Cougar defense.
Columbus State got the ball back with one last chance to tie or take the lead, however a 4th-and-7 pass from the Ohio State 37-yard line fell incomplete with 13 seconds remaining, sealing the Buckeye victory.
The Buckeyes (8-0) will make their first ever appearance in the NCFA National Championship Game on Dec. 7 against the Oakland Grizzlies (8-1). Ohio State handed Oakland its lone loss of the season on Sept. 22 by a final score of 41-7. The Grizzlies however, had won the previous four matchups between the two schools and have won seven games in a row since the loss to the Buckeyes.
Kickoff between the Buckeyes and Grizzlies is set for 1 p.m. at West Liberty University in Wheeling, WV.
Ohio State Club Football 