By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Columbus, OH

Quarterback Braxton Miller rushed for two scores and Ohio State notched its fourth straight home victory with a 29-15 triumph over University of Alabama at Birmingham Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Miller completed 12 of 20 passes for 143 yards and his 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Buckeyes a 14-12 lead which they kept until the end to win their first-ever meeting with the Blazers.

The sophomore quarterback added another score in the fourth period and a two-point conversion to provide the Buckeyes a more comfortable cushion with five minutes left in the game.

The two rushing scores increased Miller's team-leading output to seven. It was his second game this season with multiple rushing touchdowns after scoring three against Central Florida and he has rushed for at least one each game.

"He's (Miller) a dynamic athlete...I think he's great acceleration but he's got an uncanny ability to make guys miss. So he's without a question one of the best athletes in college football. That's a true statement," said Urban Meyer, whose 4-0 start is tied for third-best start to a career by an Ohio State coach.

Despite notching the team's fourth straight win, Meyer said he was not satisfied with the way the Buckeyes are playing and have to improve several aspects of their game before they take on Big Ten opponents starting with Michigan Sept. 29.

"There's too much. Defense, offense and kicking game. We have to be better in all three phases," Meyer said.

UAB grabbed a 6-0 lead in the first quarter behind a blocked punt by junior Calvin Jones that was returned for a touchdown by Nick Adams. It was the first time the Blazers returned a blocked punt for a score since 2003.

The Blazers (0-3) made it 9-0 in the second quarter after a 47-yard field goal by Ty Long before sophomore running back Rod Smith tallied his second career rushing touchdown to trim the deficit to 9-7.

Long hit a 54-yard field goal to give UAB a short-lived 12-7 lead before Miller and fullback Zach Boren scored back-to-back touchdown runs to hand the Buckeyes a 21-12 lead at the turn.

In the fourth quarter, Long hit a 35-yard field goal but Miller answered with his second touchdown run and a two-point conversion for the final count.

 

Miller Rushes for Two TDs as Ohio State Buckeyes Edge UAB