2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football
National Champions Big Ten Co-Champions
Fiesta Bowl BCS National Championship Game, W, 31-24 vs. Miami (Fl)
Conference	Big Ten
Ranking
Coaches	#1
AP	#1
2002 Record	14-0 (8-0 Big Ten)
Head Coach	Jim Tressel
Offensive Coordinator	Jim Bollman
Defensive Coordinator	Mark Dantonio
Home Stadium	Ohio Stadium
Previous Season Next Season 2001 2003

The 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was the national champion of the 2002 college football season. The team was the first in Division 1-A college football history to win 14 games. Led by junior quarterback Craig Krenzel and senior safety Mike Doss, they defeated the heavily favored defending champion Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Image File history File links Logo_OhioStateBuckeyes1. ... Head Coach Jim Tressel 6th Year, 62-13 Home Stadium Ohio Stadium Capacity 101,568 - Grass Conference Big Ten First Year 1889 Athletic Director Gene Smith Website OhioStateBuckeyes. ... The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Tostitos tortilla chips (a Frito-Lay product), is a United States college football game played annually since 1971. ... The BCS National Championship Game or BCS title game is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by Series organizers to determine the NCAA Division I-A national football championship. ... Head Coach Randy Shannon 1st Year, 0-0 Home Stadium Miami Orange Bowl Capacity 72,319 - Grass Conference ACC - Coastal First Year 1926 Athletic Director Paul Dee Website HurricaneSports. ... Big Ten can refer to: Big Ten Conference, a college athletics conference Big Ten (movie studios), the largest movie studios in Hollywood This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... James Patrick Tressel (born December 5, 1952) is the current head football coach at the Ohio State University. ... Mark Dantonio (born March 9, 1956) is the current head coach of Michigan State University football team. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... Head Coach Jim Tressel 6th Year, 62-13 Home Stadium Ohio Stadium Capacity 101,568 - Grass Conference Big Ten First Year 1889 Athletic Director Gene Smith Website OhioStateBuckeyes. ... The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season bucked the trend of boring national title games, providing a game that lived up to the hype. ... A college football game between Colorado State University and the Air Force Academy. ... Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco sets up to throw. ... Craig Krenzel (July 1, 1981) is a former college and professional American football quarterback. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... Mike Doss currently plays safety for the National Football Legues Indianapolis Colts. ... Head Coach Randy Shannon 1st Year, 0-0 Home Stadium Miami Orange Bowl Capacity 72,319 - Grass Conference ACC - Coastal First Year 1926 Athletic Director Paul Dee Website HurricaneSports. ... The 2003 Fiesta Bowl took place on January 3, 2003 in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium, with the Ohio State Buckeyes defeating the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 31-24 in double overtime. ...

Preseason

Despite a 7-5 season the year before, the general feeling was one of optimism in Columbus, Ohio, provided that the defense could carry the team while the offense developed. First year coach Jim Tressel was able to deliver on his promise of an upset victory over the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... James Patrick Tressel (born December 5, 1952) is the current head football coach at the Ohio State University. ... Head Coach Lloyd Carr 12th Year, 113-35 Home Stadium Michigan Stadium Capacity 107,501 - Field Turf Conference Big Ten First Year 1879 Athletic Director William C. Martin Website MGoBlue. ... Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...

Prior to the 2002 season, the Buckeyes were ranked thirteenth in the AP Poll after losing the 2002 Outback Bowl on a last second field goal to the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Big Ten Conference summer media day sessions predicted Ohio State to finish second in the conference behind Michigan and ahead of Michigan State. (Keels, p. 12) The Associated Press (AP) Poll, along with the USA Today Coaches Poll, ranks the top 25 NCAA Division I college football and basketball teams, weekly. ... Outback Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. ... A field goal (formerly goal from the field) is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play (from the field) or via some sort of free shot. ... The University of South Carolinas 18 varsity sports teams are known as the Gamecocks. ...

Schedule

For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... Texas Tech University is a nationally recognized doctoral/research university located in Lubbock, Texas (USA). ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... Kent State University (also known as Kent State or KSU) is a major public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States, which is about 40 miles southeast of Cleveland, 12 miles east of Akron, and 30 miles west of Youngstown. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... Washington State University (WSU) is a major public research university in Pullman, Washington. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). ... The University of Cincinnati is a state university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Nickname: The Queen City Location in Hamilton County, Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio County Hamilton Founded 1788 Incorporated 1819 Mayor Mark L. Mallory (D) Area    - City 206. ... Paul Brown Stadium is an football stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Indiana University, founded in 1820, is a nine-campus university system in the state of Indiana. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... October 5 is the 278th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (279th in Leap years). ... It has been suggested that Freshman urban program be merged into this article or section. ... Incorporated City in 1872. ... For other uses, see Ryan Field. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... San Jose State University San José State University, commonly shortened to San Jose State and SJSU, is the oldest university in what became the California State University system. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the University of Wisconsin system, see University of Wisconsin System. ... Nickname: Mad Town or Mad City Location of Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin Municipality City Incorporated 1848 Mayor Dave Cieslewicz Area    - City 136. ... Camp Randall Stadium was built in 1917 and is the current home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (commonly known as Penn State) is a state-related land-grant university in Pennsylvania, with over 80,000 students at 24 campuses throughout the state. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... Washington Avenue Bridge at night The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, almost always abbreviated U of M, and sometimes referred to as The U by locals, is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... Purdue University (Purdue) is a land-grant, public university in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. ... West Lafayette (IPA: ) is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, 65 miles (105km) northwest of Indianapolis. ... Ross-Ade Stadium is a stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... The University of Illinois is the set of three public universities in Illinois. ... A view of Champaign from above ( see wider view). ... Memorial Stadium is a football stadium located in Champaign, Illinois, on the campus of the University of Illinois. ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a public coeducational university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Miami University, founded in 1809, is the second-oldest public university west of the Allegheny Mountains and seventh-oldest public university in the United States. ... Downtown Tempe and Arizona State University Tempe (pronounced ) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with a population of 161,143 according to 2005 Census Bureau estimates. ... The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Tostitos tortilla chips (a Frito-Lay product), is a United States college football game played annually since 1971. ... The BCS National Championship Game or BCS title game is the final game of the annual Bowl Championship Series intended by Series organizers to determine the NCAA Division I-A national football championship. ...

Game notes

Ohio State 45, Texas Tech 21

The Buckeyes began the 2002 season against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on August 24, 2002. Freshman tailback sensation Maurice Clarett scored three touchdowns in his first game, sparking a convincing 45-21 win. Seven sacks of Heisman Trophy candidate Kliff Kingsbury and containing the Tech offense until late in the game did much to establish the credibility of the Buckeye defense. Texas Tech University is a nationally recognized doctoral/research university located in Lubbock, Texas, established in 1923 originally as Texas Technological College. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Maurice Clarett (born October 29, 1983 in Warren, Ohio[1]) is a former American football player. ... A touchdown is the primary method of scoring in American and Canadian football, in which the ball carrier causes the football to break the plane of the end zone, thus earning 6 points for his team (in both codes). ... The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... Kliff Kingsbury (born August 9, 1979 in San Antonio, Texas) is a National Football League player with the Buffalo Bills. ...

Ohio State 51, Kent State 17

Ohio State built a 38-0 lead before halftime, with quarterback Craig Krenzel completing his first 11 passes, safety Mike Doss and freshman linebacker A.J. Hawk returning interceptions for touchdowns, and Maurice Clarett scoring twice. Kent State scored twice in the last 4 minutes of the first half but never threatened an upset. With the game in hand, backup quarterback Scott McMulen directed the Buckeye offense for much of the second half, completing 7 of his 11 passes. The Buckeyes took only 47 snaps compared to 80 by the Golden Flashes and actually had a 2:1 deficit in time of possession, but outgained Kent State by 60 yards. Sophomore place kicker Mike Nugent, who had been uneven in his kicking as a freshman, gave an indication of his future value to the team by kicking field goals of 41, 33, and 45 yards. Craig Krenzel (July 1, 1981) is a former college and professional American football quarterback. ... Mike Doss currently plays safety for the National Football Legues Indianapolis Colts. ... A.J. Hawk (b. ... Mike Nugent (born March 2, 1982 in Centerville, Ohio) is an American football placekicker for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was selected with the 15th pick of the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University. ...

Ohio State 25, Washington State 7

Now ranked sixth in the nation, the Buckeyes faced their first marquee opponent and second Heisman quarterback candidate in Jason Gesser on September 14 when they hosted the 10th-ranked Cougars of Washington State. The game was billed by many in the media as a possible Rose Bowl-preview and was televised nationally (Keels p. 28). September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... Cougars is a Chicago-based rock band currently signed to the New York-based label Go Kart Records. ... The Washington State Cougars are the athletic teams at Washington State University; the term applies to any of the schools varsity teams. ... The Rose Bowl can refer to: The Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. ...

Washington State appeared to live up to its billing with an 11-play 80-yard drive midway through the 1st quarter that was capped by short touchdown pass from Gesser. In addition the Cougar defense limited tailback Maurice Clarett to just 36 yards rushing and held the Buckeyes to only a pair of field goals in the half. However Ohio State's defense stymied Washington State throughout the game, intercepting Gesser twice and forcing the Cougars to surrender the ball on downs twice in Buckeye territory.

In the second half Clarett picked up 44 yards on his first rush and destroyed the Cougar defense with 194 second-half yards. His 230 yards rushing for the day was the 6th best in Buckeye history and just short of Archie Griffin's freshman record of 239.(Keels p. 28, Lindy's p. 26) He scored twice and Ohio State got a Nugent field goal and a safety to win convincingly. The following Tuesday, in his weekly luncheon with the media, Coach Jim Tressel revealed that Clarett had suffered a knee injury during the game, had already undergone arthroscopic surgery, and would miss the next game. Archie Mason Griffin (born August 21, 1954) is a former American football running back remembered in sports as college footballs only two-time Heisman trophy winner. ... Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a physical examination of the interior of a joint is performed using an arthroscope, a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. ...

Ohio State 23, Cincinnati 19

The first of many nailbiters for Buckeye fans came September 21 against the Cincinnati Bearcats as the team required an interception in the end zone by free safety Will Allen with 32 seconds remaining to seal a 23-19 victory. Playing a rare road game against an Ohio opponent in Paul Brown Stadium, named for an illustrious former Buckeye head coach, 6th-ranked Ohio State played much of the game trailing the unranked Bearcats of Conference USA. UC put up more than 400 yards of offense, bombing the Buckeye defense with 52 passes, but was stymied by dropped passes and two 4th quarter interceptions. September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). ... The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. ... In Canadian or American football, an interception occurs when a quarterbacks pass is caught by a player on the opposing team. ... The end zone is a term in both Canadian football and American football. ... For other uses, see Safety (disambiguation). ... Will Allen (Born June 17, 1982, Dayton, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ... Paul Brown Stadium is an football stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference which is now in the Southern United States. ...

Sophomore running back Lydell Ross, starting in place of the injured Clarett, rushed for 130 yards. Wide receiver Chris Gamble had practiced all week as a defensive back and was used there in several key 2nd-half situations, making an interception late in the game that helped save the victory. Craig Krenzel, who had scrambled for 64 yards on 14 carries in the first three games, scored the winning touchdown with 3-and-a-half minutes to play, twisting and spinning through the Bearcat defenders for 6 yards. (Keels p. 35) Categories: | ...

Ohio State 45, Indiana 17

The Buckeyes took care of business in opening the Big Ten schedule with a 45-17 win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Maurice Clarett returned to play after 2 weeks recuperating from his knee surgery September 16 and scored three times in the first half while accruing 104 yards rushing. After leading only 21-10 at halftime, Ohio State blew open the game with three scores in the 3rd quarter to win decisively, totalling 244 yards of rushing and 461 overall. Big Ten can refer to: Big Ten Conference, a college athletics conference Big Ten (movie studios), the largest movie studios in Hollywood This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Indiana Universitys athletic teams are called the Hoosiers, and their colors are crimson and cream, though red and white has been used at times in the past. ...

Playing both defense and offense, Chris Gamble scored on a 43-yard reverse on the first drive of the 3rd quarter. Indiana had to punt on the ensuing possession and safety Dustin Fox blocked the kick. Ohio State took over at the Indiana 18 and scored on a short pass from Krenzel to Michael Jenkins to take a 35-10 lead. A reverse (sometimes referred to as an end reverse) is an unorthodox play (often called a trick play) in American football. ... Dustin Fox (born October 8, 1982) is an American football player who currently plays on the practice squad for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. // While attending Glen Oak High School in Canton, Ohio, Fox was named to the First-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection on defense... Michael Jenkins is the president of the Unification Church of America. ...

Ohio State 27, Northwestern 16

The next week, left the state of Ohio for the first time that season, playing on the road under the lights in Evanston, Illinois, in accordance with a scheduling agreement between the Big Ten and ESPN (Keels, p.41). The game was again unusually close, with Clarett fumbling three times and caught by the TV cameras arguing with running backs coach Tim Spencer on the sidelines (Keels, p. 42), but he also carried the ball for 140 yards and two scores as Ohio State prevailed 27-16. Incorporated City in 1872. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Tim Spencer was an American football player who played in the National Football League and the United States Football League. ...

Northwestern had a 6-0 lead after the 1st quarter but had had two drives stopped inside the Ohio State ten yard line. They later missed a pair of field goal attempts before scoring a touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter to narrow the Buckeye lead to 24-16. Ohio State replied with a long drive and a field goal by Mike Nugent, then used an interception by Cie Grant and a fumble recovery by Donnie Nickey to keep Northwestern at bay. Donnie Nickey is a former safety of the Ohio State Buckeyes and current back-up safety for the Tennessee Titans. ...

Ohio State 50, San Jose State 7

Ohio State for the second season in a row played a non-conference West Coast team at mid-season, hosting the San Jose State Spartans for Homecoming on October 12. San Jose State had attempted to cancel the game because its schedule featured seven road games in an 8-week span, but was unable to find a replacement team for the Buckeye home date. The Spartans had already defeated Illinois and entered the game with a defense that led Division 1A in taking the ball away from its opponents. The game started slowly and was tied 7-7 early in the 2nd quarter. San Jose State University San José State University, commonly shortened to San Jose State and SJSU, is the oldest university in what became the California State University system. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ...

The Buckeye defense, however, held SJS to 265 yards of offense, all of it passing yardage, despite the Spartans completing 81.8% of their 44 passes. (Lindy's, p.42) The offense ran up 567 yards, a season-high, with Krenzel and backup Scott McMullen combining for 355 yards passing on only 19 completions. Krenzel threw for three touchdowns to break the game open in the 3rd quarter, Clarett rushed for 132 yards and scored three times, and Mike Nugent connected on three field goals, tying the school record for 15 straight without a miss.

Ohio State 19, Wisconsin 14

Ohio State faced its next big test on the road October 19, in Madison, Wisconsin, taking on the Wisconsin Badgers in one of the most hostile stadiums in the nation. Ranked fourth, Ohio State faced a Badger team that had lost 7 of its last 9 home conference games and that was playing without its top wide receiver, Lee Evans, but animosity simmered in both teams as both had resented the other dancing on their logos after road wins in the immediately preceding years. (Keels p. 46) October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Mad Town or Mad City Location of Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin Municipality City Incorporated 1848 Mayor Dave Cieslewicz Area    - City 136. ... Official language(s) None Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Area  Ranked 23rd  - Total 65,498 sq mi (169,790 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 17  - Latitude 42°30N to 47°3N  - Longitude 86°49W to 92°54W Population  Ranked... Wisconsin Badger Logo The Wisconsin Badgers are a variety of collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ... Lee Evans - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Ohio State scored on its first possession with a long pass from Krenzel to Jenkins, but by halftime Wisconsin led, 14-13, on two long plays in each quarter. The 3rd quarter was scoreless, but midway through the 4th, on a 3rd and 6 from its own 16, Krenzel delivered a high pass 45 yards to Michael Jenkins, who out-jumped two defenders to give the Buckeyes a first down in Wisconsin territory. Krenzel completed the drive with a short touchdown pass to tight end Ben Hartsock, and although a try for a 2-point conversion failed, the Buckeyes led 19-14.

Wide receiver Chris Gamble, who had played defensive back on key downs earlier in the season, was sent into the game when Wisconsin faced a 3-and-11 at the Buckeye 29-yard line. Gamble intercepted the next pass in the end zone to preserve the lead. Also a key player in the victory was punter Andy Groom, whose six punts averaged 50.2 yards, with a 4th quarter punt that went for 74 yards and another that was downed at the Wisconsin 1-yard line. Maurice Clarett rushed for 133 yards but suffered a shoulder stinger on his last carry, an injury that would severely limit his utility over the next four games. Athlete Profile Chris Gamble (Born March 11, 1983) is a football player with the Carolina Panthers. ... Andy Groom (born September 10, 1979) is an American football punter who played for the Washington Redskins in the NFL 2005 season. ... In medicine, a Stinger, also called a Burner or Nerve pinch injury, is a minor neurological injury suffered by athletes, mostly in high contact sports such as football and wrestling. ...

Ohio State 13, Penn State 7

The following week, on October 26, the Buckeyes returned to Columbus to face Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions. The Ohio State offense struggled throughout the game, exemplified by Craig Krenzel losing a fumble at the Penn State one on Ohio State's first possession, but the defense held Penn State's offense, featuring Heisman Trophy finalist Larry Johnson, to only seven points and a season-low 179 yards and 8 first downs (tying the Penn State school record for fewest first downs). Johnson was held to a season-low 66 yards rushing on 16 attempts. October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... Joseph Vincent Paterno (born December 21, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York), nicknamed JoePa, is the iconic head coach of Pennsylvania State Universitys college football team, a position he has held since 1966. ... Head Coach Joe Paterno 41st Year, 362-121-3 Home Stadium Beaver Stadium Capacity 107,282 - Grass Conference Big Ten First Year 1881 Athletic Director Tim Curley Website GoPSUSports. ... The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... There are three professional athletes and a political commentator named Larry Johnson: Larry Johnson (baseball) Larry Johnson (basketball), a. ...

The game featured Chris Gamble starting on both offense and defense (which had last occurred for Ohio State in 1963) and playing 89 of the game's 138 plays (51 on defense, 31 on offense, and 7 on punt returns). (Lindy's p. 50) After Krenzel's fumble, Gamble caught the Penn State defender from behind at the OSU 41, preventing a touchdown return, and two plays later A.J. Hawk ended the threat with his second interception of the year.

The key play of the game, however, came on the first series of the 3rd quarter with Penn State in possession and having the lead, 7-3. Gamble "jumped the route" of the Penn State receiver, intercepted the ball at the Nittany Lion 40, and returned it down the sideline for a touchdown, the only one scored by Ohio State in the game. In all the Buckeyes intercepted three passes, but controversy ensued near the end of the game when Gamble may have interfered with a Lion receiver but was not called for the penalty. (Lindy's, p. 50) Clarett played only the first series of the game before injuring his shoulder again and leaving the game.

Buckeye radio broadcaster Paul Keels, in his book recounting the season, noted that the fans in Ohio Stadium that day were unsually loud and supportive. (P. 53) Ohio Stadium (also known as The Horseshoe, or simply The ’Shoe) is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. ...

Ohio State 34, Minnesota 3

The team was far more dominant on November 2, posting a 34-3 rout of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota blocked a punt that led to the first score of the day, a field goal, but Ohio State's defense throttled the Gophers' rushing attack, which had been averaging 271 yards a game, (Lindy's, p. 54) holding it to 53 yards and the passing attack to 59, and Minnesota, despite starting its next two possessions at its 45, was unable to score further. November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest and most storied programs in college football history. ...

Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, playing in place of the injured Clarett, rushed for 89 and 93 yards respectively, and Ross scored twice, and Ohio State scored 24 unanswered points in the 2nd half. Defensive linemen Darion Scott, Simon Fraser, and David Thompson recorded 4 sacks and were instrumental in stopping the run.

Ohio State 10, Purdue 6

Michael Jenkins strides into the endzone after catching the "Holy Buckeye" pass

On November 9, the 3rd-ranked Buckeyes, in an unexpectedly close game with the Purdue Boilermakers, delivered one of the most thrilling moments in Ohio State football history. The offense had been stagnant the entire game, unable to run against the Purdue defense. Maurice Clarett, still hampered by the recurrence of his stinger injury in the Penn State game, carried the ball only 14 times for 52 yards. Krenzel had completed only 11 passes for 123 yards when Ohio State faced a 3rd and 14 from midfield, trailing 6-3 late in the fourth quarter. He scrambled in the passing pocket and completed a pass along the sideline to tight end Ben Hartsock but came up a yard short of a first down at the 37-yard line with 1:36 remaining in the game. Image File history File links 10osu12. ... Image File history File links 10osu12. ... Michael Jenkins is the president of the Unification Church of America. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... The Purdue Boilermakers are a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference. ... In medicine, a Stinger, also called a Burner or Nerve pinch injury, is a minor neurological injury suffered by athletes, mostly in high contact sports such as football and wrestling. ... The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. ... Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980 in Chillicothe, Ohio) is an American football tight end. ...

On fourth down, coach Jim Tressel opted against attempting a 54-yard field goal by Mike Nugent to tie the game, and in an uncharacteristically high-risk move, ran pass play "King Right 64 Y Shallow Swap" instead, whose first option was a short pass to Hartsock. Instead, Krenzel went deep to wide receiver Michael Jenkins, jostling with defensive back Antwaun Rogers. Jenkins caught the pass at the goal line and scored. After a Gamble interception of Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton stifled any comeback by the Boilermakers, the Buckeyes escaped West Lafayette with a victory, 10-6. From his call of the touchdown, ABC announcer Brent Musberger uttered a phrase that has gone down in Buckeye lore: "Holy Buckeye". (Buckeye Commentary - Holy Buckeye) In American and Canadian football, a down refers to a period in which a play transpires. ... Mike Nugent (born March 2, 1982 in Centerville, Ohio) is an American football placekicker for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was selected with the 15th pick of the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ... Michael Jenkins is the president of the Unification Church of America. ... Kyle Raymond Orton (born November 14, 1982 in Altoona, Iowa) is a quarterback in the National Football League. ... West Lafayette is a city located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. ... Brent Woody Musburger (born May 26, 1939 in Portland, Oregon) is an American sportscaster for ABC. // Educated at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, Musburger began his career as a sportswriter for the now-defunct Chicago American newspaper. ...

The Buckeye defense was equally stellar, limiting Purdue to a pair of field goals on four possessions inside the Ohio State 20, and an interception by middle linebacker Matt Wilhelm allowed Mike Nugent to kick a tying field goal as the clock ran out in the first half. The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Matt Wilhelm (02/02/1981) is a linebacker on the San Diego Chargers. ...

Ohio State 23, Illinois 16 (overtime)

The Buckeyes concluded their road trip in Champaign, Illinois, taking on the Illinois Fighting Illini. What seemed to be a mismatch proved to be yet another dangerously close game as the game entered overtime tied at 16. The Buckeyes scored first as tailback Maurice Hall scored what would prove to be the winning touchdown as the defense held the Illini scoreless on their possession. A view of Champaign from above ( see wider view). ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... The intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are known as the Fighting Illini. ... Overtime is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport in order to bring the game to a decision and avoid declaring the contest a tie or draw. ...

Ohio State 14, Michigan 9

Craig Krenzel is lifted onto the shoulders of fans after the Buckeye's victory over Michigan

After the Illinois game on November 16, the team returned to Columbus to prepare for the biggest game of the season. The already huge scope of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry was increased by the huge stakes: With a victory, the 12-0 Buckeyes would secure a spot in the BCS National Championship game. Michigan had ruined Ohio State attempts at undefeated regular seasons three times in the past decade, and hoped to spoil yet another national title bid. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (753x900, 211 KB)found on myspace File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (753x900, 211 KB)found on myspace File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Craig Krenzel (July 1, 1981) is a former college and professional American football quarterback. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is the intense rivalry between the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University football teams. ...

The game was fittingly intense, with the eleventh ranked Wolverines were within striking distance of the Buckeyes for the entire game. Maurice Clarett scored an early touchdown to put the team ahead 7-3, and his score was all Ohio State had, trailing 9-7 in the fourth quarter. With 4:55 remaining, Maurice Hall took an option pitch from Craig Krenzel and ran into the endzone from two yards out.

After a lost fumble with two minutes remaining, Michigan regained possession with only 50 seconds to travel 80 yards. They moved the ball well, but a last second John Navarre throw to the endzone was intercepted at the one yard line by Will Allen. John Robert Navarre (born September 9, 1980) is an American football quarterback who plays for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. Navarre played college football at the University of Michigan. ... Will Allen (Born June 17, 1982, Dayton, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ...

The National Championship Game

Main article: 2003 Fiesta Bowl

Following their defeat of Michigan, Ohio State faced the number one ranked and heavily favored (11.5 points) Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on January 3, 2003. The Hurricanes were attempting to win their second consecutive championship, winning the Rose Bowl in the previous season and winning 34 straight games in dominating fashion. Led by Heisman Trophy finalists quarterback Ken Dorsey and tailback Willis McGahee, Miami was favored by nearly two touchdowns over the offensively anemic Buckeyes. The 2003 Fiesta Bowl took place on January 3, 2003 in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium, with the Ohio State Buckeyes defeating the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 31-24 in double overtime. ... Head Coach Randy Shannon 1st Year, 0-0 Home Stadium Miami Orange Bowl Capacity 72,319 - Grass Conference ACC - Coastal First Year 1926 Athletic Director Paul Dee Website HurricaneSports. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 (New Years Day) at the stadium of the same name in Pasadena, California. ... Kenneth Simon Dorsey (born April 22, 1981 in Orinda, California) is an NFL quarterback for the Cleveland Browns after being traded from San Francisco 49ers for veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer. ... Willis Andrew McGahee (born October 20, 1981 in Miami, Florida) is an American football running back who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. As a running back at the University of Miami, one of the premier college football programs in the nation, McGahee shattered several records in...

Craig Krenzel celebrates his rushing touchdown in the first overtime.

The Hurricanes jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, quieting the largely scarlet and gray crowd. The second quarter, however, belonged to Ohio State, with a Mike Doss interception setting up a Craig Krenzel touchdown run which was followed by a Ken Dorsey fumble setting up the Buckeyes on the Miami 14. A Maurice Clarett touchdown run put Ohio State ahead 14-7 at halftime. Image File history File links Fbowl1. ... Image File history File links Fbowl1. ... Craig Krenzel (July 1, 1981) is a former college and professional American football quarterback. ...

The Hurricanes stalled on their opening drive of the half, handing the ball over to Ohio State who drove inside the Miami ten yard line before Krenzel was intercepted by Sean Taylor, who was then stripped of the ball by Maurice Clarett on the return. The Buckeyes settled for a field goal and a ten point lead. Sean Michael Taylor (born April 1, 1983 in Miami, Florida) is an American football player who currently plays free safety for the Washington Redskins of the NFL. // High school and college career Taylor played high school football at Miamis Gulliver Preparatory School before becoming a standout safety at the...

A Willis McGahee touchdown run brought the Hurricanes within 3 points by the beginning of the fourth quarter. The teams fought back and fourth until the end of regulation, when Todd Sievers kicked a field goal to send the game into overtime.

On their first possession in overtime, the Hurricanes scored a touchdown on a 7 yard pass to Kellen Winslow. Ohio State had no choice but to play for another overtime, with Krenzel completing a fourth and 14 pass to Michael Jenkins, giving Ohio State new life. On fourth and 3, a late pass interference penalty was called by official Terry Porter on Miami defensive back Glenn Sharpe who held receiver Chris Gamble in the end zone. The late nature of the call was very controversial. Krenzel went on to score on a one yard touchdown run, sending the game into another overtime. Kellen Boswell Winslow (born 1957 in St. ... Terry Porter (born April 8, 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former NBA player and former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ...

Ohio State now took the field again on offense, moving down the field quickly and capping the drive with a 5 yard Maurice Clarett touchdown run that would prove to be decisive. Miami began its drive on offense with no choice but to score. Then backup quarterback Derek Crudup, who came in for a play after Dorsey was shaken up, converted a fourth down pass to Winslow, which was followed by facemask and pass interference penalties on Ohio State that gave Miami first and goal on the two yard line. The Hurricanes were stuffed on the first three plays, and pressure forced a desperation throw by Dorsey that fell incomplete in the endzone, ending the game and sealing Ohio State's national championship.

Starting Lineup

Offense

Craig Krenzel (July 1, 1981) is a former college and professional American football quarterback. ... Maurice Clarett (born October 29, 1983 in Warren, Ohio[1]) is a former American football player. ... Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980 in Chillicothe, Ohio) is an American football tight end. ... Michael Jenkins is the president of the Unification Church of America. ... Athlete Profile Chris Gamble (Born March 11, 1983) is a football player with the Carolina Panthers. ... Adrien Clarke is a National Football League Offensive Lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles. ... Alex Stepanovich (born September 25, 1981) is a National Football League center for the Arizona Cardinals. ... Shane Olivea (born October 7, 1981 in Bronx, New York) is an American football player who currently plays offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. Since being drafted in the 7th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Chargers, Olivea has started 31 games in 2...

Defense

Will Smith (born July 4, 1981) is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He played college football at Ohio State University. ... Kenny Peterson is defensive end on the Denver Broncos. ... Darrion Scott (born October 25, 1981 in Charleston, West Virginia) is a defensive end on the Minnesota Vikings. ... Dustin Fox (born October 8, 1982) is an American football player who currently plays on the practice squad for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. // While attending Glen Oak High School in Canton, Ohio, Fox was named to the First-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection on defense... Mike Doss currently plays safety for the National Football Legues Indianapolis Colts. ... Will Allen (Born June 17, 1982, Dayton, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ... Athlete Profile Chris Gamble (Born March 11, 1983) is a football player with the Carolina Panthers. ...

Special Teams

Mike Nugent (born March 2, 1982 in Centerville, Ohio) is an American football placekicker for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was selected with the 15th pick of the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University. ... Athlete Profile Chris Gamble (Born March 11, 1983) is a football player with the Carolina Panthers. ... Athlete Profile Chris Gamble (Born March 11, 1983) is a football player with the Carolina Panthers. ...

Coaching Staff

• Jim Tressel - Head Coach - 2nd year
• Jim Bollman - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive line coach - 2nd year
• Mark Dantonio - Defensive Coordinator - 2nd year
• Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks/Receivers coach - 2nd year
• Mark Snyder - Linebackers coach - 2nd year
• Jim Heacock - Defensive line coach - 7th year
• Bill Conley - Recruiting Coordinator/Tight ends coach - 12th year
• Tim Spencer - Running backs coach - 1st year
• Luke Fickell - Special teams coordinator - 1st year
• Mel Tucker - Defensive backs coach - 1st year

James Patrick Tressel (born December 5, 1952) is the current head football coach at the Ohio State University. ... Mark Dantonio (born March 9, 1956) is the current head coach of Michigan State University football team. ... Tim Spencer was an American football player who played in the National Football League and the United States Football League. ...

Sources

• Paul Keels (2003). Paul Keels' Tales from the Buckeyes Championship Season. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1582615394.