Tackle Arthur Smith celebrates Minnesota's first victory in Columbus since 1949.(AP)

"This program is not turned around yet," Mason said. "But we're getting better."

After the game, the entire team ran to the tiny corner of Ohio Stadium reserved for visiting fans and lined up to shake hands and wave to the cheering, clapping crowd.

After a week of daydreaming about BCS rankings and polls, the Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1) again saw a season of promise turn to ashes against another "M" school.

In 1996, the Buckeyes were No. 2 in the nation when they lost to Michigan 13-9. A year later they were ranked fourth when they lost to top-ranked Michigan 20-14. In 1998, Ohio State ran the table and was ranked No. 1 as it hosted 17-point underdog Michigan State, yet lost another shot at the championship game 28-24. A year ago, the Buckeyes were just 6-6 but lost games to Miami, Michigan State and Michigan.

"Obviously, we weren't ready to play and you can blame me for that," Ohio State's John Cooper said. "I'm the head coach. I guess it's my job to get them ready to play."

Ron Johnson had eight catches for 163 yards and a 3-yard touchdown reception and came up with the big plays on three other scoring drives for the Gophers.

Still, the Buckeyes pulled within six points in the fourth quarter before Tellis Redmon, who totaled 118 yards on 30 carries, went 20 yards for a score with 4:51 left to seal the win.

Ohio State mounted a shadow of an offense against a Minnesota defense that dared the Buckeyes -- without leading rusher Derek Combs (ankle injury) to run. The Buckeyes averaged just 2 yards on their 35 rushing attempts and totaled 200 yards -- only 37 more than Johnson had by himself.

"They felt they could check me with one defender and they paid the price," Johnson said.

Travis Cole completed 16 of 28 passes for 243 yards and two scores, without an interception. His scoring passes covered 2 yards to tight end Scooter Baugus and 3 yards to Johnson.

Minnesota built a 23-10 halftime lead by scoring on its first five possessions.

"It wasn't a surprise to us," Cole said. "We knew we could win this game."

The Gophers' opening drive was highlighted by Cole's 28-yard pass to Johnson. Johnson was well defended, but able to get his hand on the ball. He bobbled it, but pulled it in with his left hand and picked up another 15 yards.

After a first down at the Ohio State 4, the drive stalled and Dan Nystrom came on to kick the first of his three field goals, running his streak to 10 in a row.

Ohio State ran three plays before B.J. Sander punted. Jermaine Mays, coming in untouched from the right side, smothered the ball on Sander's foot and Minnesota's Jimmy Henry returned the ball to the Buckeyes' 20.

"As much time as we spend on punt protection, to have a blocked kick like that is absolutely devastating," Cooper said.

Cole's short flip to Baugus then made it 10-0.

Johnson had a 55-yard reception that set up his own 3-yard TD catch for a 17-3 lead.

Ohio State's only touchdown of the first three quarters came on a 7-yard run by Jonathan Wells. The Buckeyes cut the lead to 23-17 early in the fourth quarter on Steve Bellisari's 4-yard play-action toss to tight end Darnell Sanders.

Mason chose to play conservatively in the second half, choosing to throw only when necessary. He had to on third-and-10 at the Ohio State 45 midway through the final quarter, but Cole hit Johnson for a 14-yard gain -- one of four consecutive third-down conversions on the drive. Redmon then sprinted around left end for the 20-yard clinching score.

"They just said, 'We're going to run the ball right at you and then they ran it down our throats," Buckeyes linebacker Matt Wilhelm said.

Ohio State's homecoming game was particularly sweet for Mason, Ohio State class of 1972, who played for and was an assistant coach at his alma mater.

"I've got a lot of memories about this place. Good, good memories," Mason said.

Now he has one more.