I wanted to share a memory from my college years and frankly, a memory of the greatest OSU game of the past 40 years. I wrote this blog originally in November of 2009 and posted it on my personal blog. I thought it was a fun memory that I'm sure others will be able to relate.
This morning I found myself in the same position as every Monday and Tuesday morning: commenting and reflecting on the football game I watched the night before. This morning had a unique twist to the conversation as I was second-guessing and analyzing the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, a game that was played over 8 years ago. I pulled my DVD of the uncut broadcast out of the dust of the DVD shelf to remember the greatest OSU victory of my lifetime. As confused as my colleauges were, they were a little more animated and excited than I expected them to be while recollecting the game as well.
Some observations....
1) The first quarter belonged to Miami. After watching the first quarter, I was wondering how the Bucks would pull the game out. Maurice Clarett was getting shut down on the run, the passing game was careless (but came up big later in the game when it needed to), and Miami was constructing some solid ball movement down the field.
2) The turning point of the game was undoubtedly the Dorsey interceptions. The only advantage Ohio State had over Miami in the first quarter was that they picked off Dorsey and had multiple sacks. I believe the stat going into the game was that Dorsey had only been sacked 4 times all season. The Buckeyes laid him on the ground at least twice on the opening drive.
3) The biggest play of the game was the Sean Taylor Interception turned Maurice Clarett ball strip. The Buckeyes for five seconds seemingly made a huge blunder that would have allowed them to possibly put away the Hurricanes early when Craig Krenzel had an errant pass intercepted in the endzone in the third quarter. The score was Bucks 14, Miami 7 at the time. Sean Taylor of the Hurricanes, looking to make a big play, decided to attempt to return the ball out of the end zone for a big gain. Maurice Clarett, having the greatest moment of his life, made a huge play by stripping the ball from the arms of Taylor on the return. The play set up a Mike Nugent field goal, which put the Buckeyes up 17 to 7.
4) The Bucks defense was the star of the game, but Craig Krenzel was awesome when he needed to be. Not to take away credit from Michael Jenkins, who was an underrated and oft forgotten hero of that Buckeyes team and of that game, but Krenzel brought both a legitimate pass threat and a great running attack. His efforts reminded of a Rex Kern-like performance. He completed only 7 of his 21 passes, and was intercepted twice. However, he ran the ball 19 times for 81 yards and two scores. In addition, he took a beating from the Hurricane defense. The pass to Jenkins on 4th and 14 in the 1st overtime to keep the drive alive was something that did not surprise Buckeyes fans...he had been coming up big like that all season long. If anyone ever forgets why Craig Krenzel was a hero to Ohio State sports history, look no further than this game.
5) Maurice Clarett: before his troubles and exile from the Bucks, he legitimately was a game-changing player for the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes team. His performance in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl was most memorable as the decoy that set up Craig Krenzel, ball running hero.
6) The infamous "Pass Interference" call in the first overtime was perhaps incorrect. However, if it was incorrect, it made up for the missed call of "holding" on the Miami defender that was mugging Chris Gamble on his way to the pass. Either call would have given the Buckeyes a first down. I think that sports nation has recognized this, that's why it is a forgotten moment in BCS history.
That wraps up my "Monday Morning Quarterback" commentary. Look for the 2007 BCS National Championship commentary sometime in 2015. Better yet, maybe not. I watched that game when it was originally aired....NOT...SO...GOOD.
Have a memory of this game? please share by leaving a comment!
Go Bucks!
Scott '05
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