1985 CITRUS BOWL

12.30.86 Anaheim, Calif. (55,422) 

In what promised to be an offensive showdown between pass-happy BYU (11-2) and rough and tumble Ohio State (8-3), two of the nation’s top defenses took center stage. In fact, the game’s only touchdowns were produced by a noseguard on an interception and a reserve wide receiver on a broken play. Buckeye kicker Rich Spangler tallied the first points of the game with a 47-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give Ohio State a 3-0 lead. BYU attempted to answer with a long drive of its own, only to come away empty after Vai Sikahema fumbled on an apparent touchdown plunge. Before the first half ended, quarterback Robbie Bosco rolled left, whirled right and found wide receiver David Miles on a 38-yard strike to give the Cougars a 7-3 halftime lead. In the second half, Ohio State noseguard Larry Kolic intercepted Bosco and took it in for a touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 10-7 lead. Leon White and Kyle Whittingham recovered fumbles but Kolic got another interception and Terry White intercepted two in the end zone to stop BYU threats—one with 3:38 to play and again with three seconds left. Ohio State was the benefactor of six Cougar turnovers, and the Buckeyes went home the victor. Mark Bellini had 89 yards receiving while Lakei Heimuli added 10 receptions for 77 yards.