COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Close wins remain the norm at Ohio State, with or without Maurice Clarett.
Will Allen returned an interception 100 yards for a score and Mike Nugent kicked three field goals as second-ranked Ohio State struggled to a 16-13 victory over San Diego State.
The Buckeyes (2-0) won seven games by a touchdown or less during their 2002 national championship season, always making the big play when they needed it most. This week, it came from Allen, who made up for a sluggish day by the Buckeyes' offense.
With San Diego State (1-1) deep inside Ohio State territory, the safety intercepted a slant pass by Matt Dlugolecki that was tipped by Chris Gamble and raced the length of the field for a score to give the Buckeyes a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter quarter.
"Chris Gamble had excellent coverage. I reacted to the ball and revved it up from there and I had four or five blockers in front of me and you had to score with that," Allen said.
Allen also broke up a pass from Dlugolecki near midfield to end the Aztecs' final drive.
Ohio State coasted to a win over Washington last week, but coach Jim Tressel admitted that things were different on Saturday.
"We spent the whole offseason with everyone telling us we're wonderful and then we come out and have a solid win (against Washington)," Tressel said. "Sometimes thing slips inches and you know, it's good when there are slips and you don't fall, and hopefully we'll just learn."
Nugent kicked field goals of 38, 32 and 35 yards for the Buckeyes, but missed a 28-yard field goal late in the third quarter, ending his streak of 15 straight at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State extended the nation's longest winning streak to 16 games and again played without star tailback Clarett, who continues to serve a multi-game suspension and is no longer practicing with the team.
Maurice Hall did the bulk of the rushing for Ohio State and had 91 yards on 19 carries.
Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel had the worst day of his career, completing just 5-of-20 passes for 76 yards with an interception. He was sacked three times and also had a fumble that led to a field goal by San Diego State.
"Obviously, we didn't play well. I know I didn't play well," Krenzel said. "The most important thing is to make sure that we learn from the film and we get ready for another good football team next week."
Ohio State, which hosts North Carolina State next Saturday, also was penalized 12 times for 124 yards.
San Diego State almost pulled off the monumental upset without starting quarterback Adam Hall, who was out with an ankle injury. Dlugolecki was 23-of-39 for 189 yards and a score and was intercepted twice.
"We are obviously very proud of the way we played today," said second-year San Diego State coach Tom Craft. "We had a chance to grow as a team and get a lot of new guys in the offense. It was a courageous performance on our part to take Ohio State to 16-13."
San Diego State is 0-13 against top 10 opponents and Saturday marked just the second time the margin had been three points or less. The other was a 30-28 loss to then No. 2 Miami on December 1, 1990.
"Ohio State is the national champions and we played our hearts out, but I give it all to Ohio State," Aztecs receiver Jeff Webb said. Krenzel was intercepted by cornerback Jacob Elimimian on the opening play from scrimmage and the Aztecs took over at the Buckeye 23 after a 14-yard return. San Diego State took advantage on an 11-yard TD pass from Matt Dlugolecki to Wesley Williams.
After Ohio State answered with a field goal by Nugent, the Aztecs again found holes with the Ohio State defense. Lynel Hamilton caught an 11-yard pass and had an 18-yard run that gave san Diego State a first down at the Ohio State 4.
But Allen turned the course of his game with his interception return.
Ohio State linebacker Robert Reynolds intercepted Dlugolecki on the next possession, and the Buckeyes converted on a 32-yard field goal by Nugent that made it 13-7 after one quarter.
The only score of the third quarter was a 47-yard field goal by J.C. Mejia, which came after a fumble by Krenzel.
Nugent's third field goal early in the fourth quarter made it 16-10 before Mejia capped the scoring with a 46-yard field goal with 10:13 left.
