Columbus, OH (U-WIRE) -- Ohio State got the big plays, Michigan State the turnovers. In the end, the big plays won out.

The No. 15 Buckeyes (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) fumbled the ball six times - losing four - but scored four touchdowns of more than 40 yards to beat the No. 16 Spartans (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) 35-24 at Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes trailed nearly the entire game until junior wide receiver Santonio Holmes caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Troy Smith with 4:56 left to put the Buckeyes up 28-24. The Buckeyes ran a fake option play, with Smith dropping back to pass to find Holmes on a long out pattern, and Holmes then broke the tackle of Spartan defensive back Jaren Hayes and dove over the goal line.

It was Holmes' second touchdown catch of the day. He hauled in five catches for 150 yards, but also had three fumbles on special teams. The Buckeyes recovered two, but the other set up Michigan State's first touchdown of the day.

In the first half, Michigan State accumulated 249 yards of total offense, while the Buckeyes had three turnovers and only one good drive, yet the Spartans led only 17-14 at the half.

Michigan State got on the board first with a 32-yard field goal by John Goss. It was the longest of the year made by the junior from Grove City.

Holmes fumbled the ensuing kickoff and freshman safety Otis Wiley recovered for the Spartans at the 4-yard line, putting the Buckeye defense in a goal-to-go situation for the second week in a row. Three plays later, it looked like the Buckeyes had held the Spartans to a field goal, but senior linebacker Bobby Carpenter bowled over Stanton after the throw, earning a roughing the passer call. A play later, sophomore running back Jehuu Caulcrick scored on a 3-yard run.

The Buckeyes responded by going 80 yards in five plays, moving easily through Michigan State's defense. Smith found Holmes between the cornerback and safety for a 51-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to make it 10-7.

Michigan State returned the lead to 10 with 6:30 left in the half on a 36-yard pass from junior quarterback Drew Stanton to junior Jerramy Scott. The Spartans converted a key fourth-and-1 moments earlier to keep the 12-play drive alive.

The game turned on the final play of the first half. The Spartans hurried onto the field to try a field goal by Goss with time winding down, but the Buckeyes blocked the kick and junior corner Ashton Youboty returned it 72 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-14 going into the break.

Spartan coach John L. Smith said a coach other than him made the call for the quick field goal - instead of a spike, which would have stopped the clock - but that the responsiblity for the call ultimately landed on him.

"I'm the one that sends them on, and that did not happen," Smith said. "It was a mess. It was a total mess."

With the momentum, the Buckeyes started the second half with some electricity. On the fourth play of the Buckeyes' first drive, sophomore receiver Ted Ginn Jr. took a 10-yard slant pass from Troy Smith, broke a tackle and outraced everyone to the end zone for a 57-yard score - his second touchdown of the year and first since the season-opener against Miami University.

Michigan State responded in kind, easily marching 80 yards in 11 plays. Senior running back Jason Teague scampered in untouched from 6 yards out to give the Spartans the lead they would hold until Holmes' touchdown.

After the score, OSU held on defense, sacking Stanton twice. Holmes retuned the punt to the Spartan 19-yard line, and three plays later, Troy Smith scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the year from a yard out.

Stanton finished 26-of-36 for 340 yards, while Smith was 10-of-15 for 249 yards. Sophomore tailback Antonio Pittman rushed for 101 yards for the Buckeyes, while Michigan State finished with 116 yards on the ground.

OSU returns to action next week against Indiana in Bloomington.

Notes: Senior safety Tyler Everett was knocked unconscious early in the second quarter while attempting to tackle MSU running back Javon Ringer. He was carted off the field and did not return.

Sophomore right tackle Kirk Barton did not dress. True freshman Alex Boone made his first careet start in Barton's place.

(C) 2004 The Lantern via U-WIRE