Ohio State vs. Cal score update: Jordan Hall, Philly Brown help maintain lead against Cal, 52-27

Ohio State started off the second half with the football at their own 25-yard line, as Kenny Guiton looked to continue to build on his already solid performance. The drive got rolling with a quick 16 yard rush that gave Hall over 100 yards on the day. Thanks to Cal drawing an offsides penalty, the Buckeyes moved the chains once more, heading into Cal territory. Hall continued to show off his skills with a catch out of the backfield following a false start penalty. On third down from Cal's 41-yard line, Hall was a bit short, but the Buckeyes looked to go for it until the Golden Bears called a timeout. Ohio State again attempted a 4th down conversion, and was successful once more on a 33-yard scamper from Kenny Guiton. A few plays later, Jordan Hall hurdled into the endzone to give Ohio State a 38-20 lead over California.

Cal hoped to answer Ohio State's opening drive touchdown in the second half, but it started off with a false start. The Golden Bears didn't have anything going for them from there, as Jeff Goff had trouble hitting his receivers (not to mention almost throwing another interception) and a quick three and out led to punting it back to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes took over at their own 20-yard line, and true freshman Dontre Wilson quickly showed why the coaches rave about him as he sped around the corner for 22 yards. Another short run by Wilson followed by a Guiton keeper gave Ohio State the ball inside Cal's territory. Nick Vannett made his first reception of the game, and one play later the Buckeyes had another first down. A reverse option gave Philly Brown another carry for 7 yards, but Ohio State was facing another decision on whether or not to go for it on 4th down with 7:48 remaining in the third quarter. The Buckeyes would indeed go for it, as Jordan Hall burst through the line for a 6 yard gain. A Guiton keeper would give Ohio State a 1st and goal at Cal's 7-yard line. Another strong stand by the Cal defense would finally falter after Kenny Guiton floated a pass to Philly Brown, where he made a tremendous diving catch for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The Buckeyes pulled further away from the Golden Bears, 45-20.

A solid 42 yard kick return from Khalfani Muhammad would get California good field position, and the Golden Bears quickly attacked with a screen to Chris Harper for 29 yards followed by another 10 yard completion to Harper. Goff then connected with Bryce Teggs for a 14 yard touchdown that helped keep the Golden Bears in the game.

Cal was hoping to catch Ohio State napping with a quick onside kick, but the Buckeyes were able to recover. That helped set up the offense with great field position including the five yard offsides penalty on Cal. Once again, Jordan Hall had his way on first down, with a shifty 11 yard run. Philly Brown on the next play ran right into Devin Smith, who went down with an unspecified injury. Smith headed to the sideline, but appeared to be alright. A pass to Philly Brown for another first down put the Buckeyes in the red zone. More doses of Jordan Hall gave Ohio State a first and goal, and Hall himself capped the drive with a short touchdown run for his third TD of the night. The Buckeyes took a 52-27 lead, showing no signs of slowing down.

California wasted no time in showing they still had life, as Daniel Lasco rushed back to back times for 16 and 9 yards. Pittsburgh Brown almost had himself an interception, but the deflection landed in the hands of  Jackson Bouza for a first down following a big sack from Noah Spence.

Key stats:

Kenny Guiton: 21-31, 276 yards, 4 touchdowns, 11 carries, 73 yards

Devin Smith: 3 receptions, 149 yards, 2 touchdowns

Jordan Hall: 21 carries, 140 yards, 3 touchdowns, 5 receptions, 20 yards

Dontre Wilson: 5 carries, 59 yards, 3 receptions, 48 yards

Philly Brown: 2 carries, 15 yards, 5 receptions, 35 yards, 1 touchdown