No. 2 Ohio State 40, Buffalo 20: Jordan Hall rushed for a career-high 159 yards and two touchdowns and Braxton Miller tossed two first-quarter touchdowns to help the host host Buckeyes to victory.

Miller connected with seven different receivers while completing 15-of-22 pass attempts for 178 yards. Miller, who was among a number of Ohio State players who struggled with leg cramps during the game, also rushed for 77 yards.

Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata completed 19-of-32 passes for 185 yards. He threw touchdowns to wide receiver Alex Neutz - who finished with nine receptions for 98 yards - and to tight end Matt Weiser in the second quarter.

The Buckeyes built a 23-0 first-quarter lead behind a 47-yard touchdown catch by Devin Smith, a 7-yard scoring grab by Chris Fields and Hall’s 49-yard touchdown run. Buffalo scored 13 unanswered points off turnovers in the second quarter, including a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Khalil Mack that cut the deficit to 23-13.

The Bills were within 10 after Licata connected with Neutz for a 10-yard scoring pass with 10:21 left in the third quarter, but Ohio State back-up quarterback Kenny Guiton replaced Miller after he went out with cramps and threw a 21-yard touchdown strike to Fields to extend the lead to 37-20 with 3:16 remaining in the third.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Buckeyes were without defensive starters C.J. Barnett (ankle), Bradley Roby (suspension) and Tommy Schutt (foot), and LB Ryan Shazier, an early contender for Big Ten defensive player of the year, was carted off the field with cramps in the second quarter. … Ohio State had two two-point conversions in the first quarter. … Ohio State improved to 29-1 all-time against MAC teams.