COL FB: Ohio State 35. N. Illinois 12

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Troy Smith threw three touchdown passes -- two to Ted Ginn Jr. -- as the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes beat Northern Illinois Saturday, 35-12.

Smith was 18-of-25 for 297 yards, and Ginn caught four passes for 123 yards for the Buckeyes (1-0), who warmed up for next weekend's battle against defending national champion and second-ranked Texas.

Antonio Pittman added 111 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries for Ohio State, which has won 28 straight home openers.

Garrett Wolfe led the Huskies' offense with 285 total yards. Wolfe had 171 yards on 26 carries and 114 yards and a TD on five receptions for NIU (0-1).

Phil Horvath was 15-of-26 for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Huskies.