Ohio State scored first on a 47-yard field goal by Rich Spangler, giving the Buckeyes a 3–0 first quarter lead.
BYU's Kurt Gunther kicked a 39-yard field goal before halftime to make it 17–10 Ohio State.
In the third quarter, Ohio State's Vaughn Broadnax scored on a 1-yard touchdown run giving OSU a 24–10 lead.
Tim Spencer added an 18-yard touchdown run, and Rich Spangler a 37-yard field goal to give Ohio State a 34–10 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Steve Young fired a 13-yard touchdown pass to Gordon Hudson narrowing the lead to 41–17.