No. 18 Ohio State used its size and strength to wear down visiting Akron, winning 42-0 for head coach Luke Fickell in his debut after taking over for embattled ex-coach Jim Tressel.

Redshirt senior quarterback Joe Bauserman completed 12-of-16 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown in his first career start.

Tight end Jake Stoneburner had four catches for 50 yards and caught all three of Bauserman's touchdown passes, becoming the first Ohio State tight end with three touchdown receptions in a game.

The opening drive featured a blend of running between the tackles and play-action passes, a formula the Buckeyes used throughout the first half en route to a 21-0 lead.

Ohio State freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, who was expected to share snaps with Bauserman, played only one series in the first half but did lead two touchdown drives in the second half.

Akron struggled to move the ball against the perennially stingy Ohio State defense, mustering only 90 total yards and five first downs. Sophomore Clayton Moore, a junior college transfer making his first career start for the Zips, completed just 6-of-16 passes for 54 yards with one interception.