Ohio State Hosts Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2001
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Buckeyes Host Illini in Home Finale
In what looms as the biggest game of the season to date, No. 25 Ohio State hosts No. 12 Illinois this weekend in a showdown fraught with Big Ten title and BCS implications. The Buckeyes are 6-3 on the year and 4-2 in the Big Ten. Coach Jim Tressel’s team trails Big Ten co-leaders Illinois and Michigan (OSU’s final opponent) by a game in the league standings. By winning both games, the Buckeyes would assure themselves of at least a share of the Big Ten title and would receive the league’s automatic bid to a BCS bowl. But with a fanciful 8-1 record for all games, including a 5-1 league slate, Illinois, coached by Ron Turner, has title aspirations of its own. To claim that crown, it would seem that the Illini, who have won five in a row, need wins over the Buckeyes this week and against visiting Northwestern on Thanksgiving Day.
This week’s game will be televised nationally by ESPN-TV and will kickoff at 12:10 p.m., EST, Saturday in Ohio Stadium (101,568). Prior to kickoff, the 12 seniors on this year’s team, along with their immediate families, will be introduced to the Stadium crowd.
Ohio State Last Week
The Buckeyes are coming off a solid performance against Purdue. Before an Ohio Stadium record crowd of 104,189, Ohio State routed the visiting Boilermakers by a final count of 35-9. The win was the second straight for the Buckeyes, who a week earlier edged Minnesota, 31-28, in Minneapolis. The Buckeyes never trailed against the Boilers, jumping out to 12-0 lead on a 36-yard Mike Nugent field goal, a safety and then a 15-yard run by tailback Jonathan Wells. Purdue closed to within six at the half, at 12-6, but the Buckeyes scored 23-unanswered points (including a second safety) after intermission to salt the game away. Wells finished with 101 yards on 21 carries for his third-consecutive 100-yard game. Quarterback Steve Bellisari turned in his second straight impressive performance, completing 14-of-20 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, in the process tying his career high for TD passes. And flanker Chris Vance was a one-man highlight show, catching seven passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. Defensive end Kenny Peterson led a balanced effort with five tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. The Buckeyes also had three interceptions, including the seventh of the year by cornerback Derek Ross. The Buckeyes rolled up 429 yards in total offense and held Purdue to just 211, a season low by an opponent.
Tressel on the Buckeyes
“It was good to come out and get a decisive victory over Purdue. It is always important to win in November. We would like to be more consistent on offense but we did make some good plays against a veteran defense. Our defense played well and seemed to turn it up a notch in the second half.
“We need to keep improving. If you look at where Illinois is in the standings, I think it is apparent how important this game is. Illinois is a fine football team with veteran players. They have come from behind the past two weeks, so they know what it takes to win in this league. Kurt Kittner is a very good quarterback who seems to be playing the best football of his career.
“This game is special too because of our seniors. It is their final home game and I know that means a lot to them. I have only had the opportunity to know this group for a short period of time, but I am very proud of them for the way they have responded to what we have asked them to do,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
“The Catch”
For years to come, when fans and pundits talk about the best catch ever in Ohio Stadium, Chris Vance’s spectacular 7-yard touchdown grab against Purdue last week will figure into the conversation. With the Buckeyes facing third-and-goal on the Purdue 7, quarterback Steve Bellisari launched a pass toward the 6-2 Vance in the right corner of the end zone. Most of the 104,189 fans on hand in the Horseshoe thought the ball was overthrown, but Vance somehow elevated to the ball and speared it with one hand. Then, maybe even more amazingly, the glue-fingered junior got a foot down in the back of the end zone. “I practice one-hand catches all the time,” said Vance. “I was just lucky enough to get this one.”
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel can’t remember ever seeing a better catch in Ohio Stadium, but he did see one that was very similar in the 1986 Citrus Bowl.
“Our quarterback (Jim Karsatos) was being chased down and threw the ball toward the sideline. I thought it was going out of bounds, but somehow Cris Carter went up and caught it and got a foot down. It was one of the best catches I have ever seen. Chris Vance’s catch was the same type of play,” said Tressel.
Chimed in senior running back Jonathan Wells, “I am proclaiming Chris as the president of the sticky hands club. That had been my title, but after that catch I am passing it on to Chris.”
Vance had career highs in receptions (7) and yardage (138) against Purdue. It was the second straight 100-yard game for the first-year transfer from Fort Scott Community College, who had five receptions for 101 yards against Minnesota two weeks ago.
Both games came after Vance learned (Wednesday of Minnesota week) that his father had passed away.
“I think he would be proud of me, and I know he is looking down on me,” said Vance, who has 24 catches for 490 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
WBNS Radio Feeds Statewide Network
Buckeye fans can hear all of Saturday’s action on WBNS Radio (1460 AM and 97.1 FM), the flagship station for the 79-station Ohio State radio network. Paul Keels calls the play-by-play and former Buckeye All-America Jim Lachey serves as the color analyst for the broadcast. Another ex-Buckeye, Jim Karsatos, provides the expert sideline commentary. Network programming begins one hour before kickoff. Following the game, WBNS Radio carries Coach Jim Tressel’s press conference live. WBNS also broadcasts the Buckeye Roundtable Monday nights and the Jim Tressel Call-In Show at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.
ESPN Will Televise the Game Nationally
This will be the Buckeyes third-consecutive and fifth overall appearance of the year on ESPN. The network also televised the Northwestern, Penn State, Minnesota and Purdue games. Steve Levy, Todd Christensen and Dave Ryan are this week’s announcers.
Series Notes
Saturday’s showdown is the 90th meeting between the Buckeyes and the Illini. The two teams, who first played in 1902 (a 0-0 tie), have met continuously since 1914. Ohio State leads the series, 57-28-4, and has a 25-16-4 edge in games played in Columbus. Between 1968 and 1982, Ohio State reeled off 15-consecutive wins at the expense of the Illini. But beginning in 1983, Illinois won seven of the next 12, including four games in Columbus. By virtue of a 46-20 win in Columbus in 1999, Illinois has won five of the last seven in Ohio Stadium. In last year’s game in Champaign, the Buckeyes eeked out a 24-21 thriller on a last-second field goal.
More on Last Year
Dan Stultz booted a career-best four field goals, including the game winner from 24 yards out as time expired, to lead the Buckeyes to a thrilling 24-21 victory. Trailing 14-12 at the half, the Buckeyes took an 18-14 lead midway through the third period before Illinois jumped back on top, 21-18, with 14:17 to play. Ohio State then mounted drives of 75 and 72 yards, both of which resulted in Stultz kicks, for the win. Jonathan Wells, subbing for injured regular Derek Combs, rushed for a then career-best 131 yards and caught five passes for another 50 yards. Quarterback Steve Bellisari threw for 251 yards and linebacker Matt Wilhelm recorded 12 tackles and was named Big Ten defensive player of the week. Antlineo Harris rushed for 93 yards and Rocky Harvey added 59 for the Illini.
About the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes, who are in pursuit of their 29th overall Big Ten title and their 400th conference victory, are 4-1 at home and 2-2 on the road thus far in 2001. By recording their sixth triumph of the season last week, Ohio State is “bowl eligible” for the second consecutive-year and for the 11th time in the past 12 seasons. The Buckeyes currently are all alone in third place in the Big Ten, a game ahead of Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin. OSU is ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press poll this week.
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel
With a 6-3 mark in his first year as head coach at Ohio State, Jim Tressel now sports a lifetime record of 141-60-2. Prior to coming to Ohio State, the 48-year-old Tressel spent 15 highly-successful years at Youngstown State, where he led the Penguins to four Division I-AA National Championships, six trips to the title game (including an unprecedented four in a row) and 10 appearances in the playoffs. Tressel was a four-time choice as the Division I-AA National Coach of the Year at Youngstown, winning that honor in 1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97. He also was a six-time pick as Ohio Coach of the Year.
Born in Mentor, Ohio, Tressel grew up in Berea, Ohio, where his father, the late Lee Tressel, was the head coach at Baldwin Wallace College and a legendary figure in Ohio college coaching circles. The elder Tressel led B-W to the 1978 Division III National Championship and was National Coach of the Year that season.
Tressel played for his father at Baldwin Wallace, winning all-conference honors at quarterback as a senior. He graduated cum laude in 1975 with a degree in education and embarked upon his coaching career the following fall, as a graduate assistant at Akron, where he spent four seasons (the last three in a full-time capacity) and earned his master’s degree in education. Tressel’s coaching career then took him to Miami (Ohio) and Syracuse before coming to Ohio State in 1983 as a member of Earle Bruce’s staff. He spent three years as an Ohio State assistant, serving as quarterbacks and receivers coach the first year and taking on the added responsibility of the running backs his last two years. While Tressel was at Ohio State, the Buckeyes posted a combined record of 27-9, played in the Fiesta, Rose and Citrus bowls and captured the 1984 Big Ten title. Some of his more notable pupils during that time included Cris Carter, Mike Tomczak and Keith Byars.
Tressel left Ohio State following the 1985 season to become head coach at Youngstown State. He remained there until returning to Columbus this past January as the 22nd head football coach in Ohio State history. This will be Tressel’s first meeting with Illinois.
Doss Named Thorpe Award Semi-Finalist
Ohio State All-America safety Michael Doss has been named as one of 12 semi-finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best college defensive back. The list of 12 will be cut to three later this month and the winner will be announced at the College Football Awards Show in Orlando in December. The hard-hitting Doss leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 68 stops on the year. The 5-11, 203-pound junior also has two blocked punts, has scored a touchdown on a 30-yard fumble runback, leads the team in tackles-for-loss, is tied for the team lead in sacks and has an interception. Doss was a consensus All-Big Ten pick last year and also was named to a first-team berth on the Sporting News All-America team.
Bentley Making the Grade Week After Week
Senior center LeCharles Bentley continues to excel up front for the Buckeyes. Bentley, who graded out to a winning performance in each of the first nine games, has been the Buckeyes’ Offensive Lineman of the Week on three occasions, including this past week against Purdue, and was the Offensive Player of the Game following the UCLA game. The 6-2, 300-pound Bentley, who is in his second full year as a starter, has drawn continuous praise from head coach Jim Tressel. “He is smart, he is tough and he is physical,” Tressel said. “And he just gets better every week.” Bentley has graded out to 90 percent or better in seven of the nine games.
Ross Big Ten Interception Leader
Cornerback Derek Ross has seven interceptions on the year and leads the Big Ten with an average of 0.78 picks per game, a figure that ranks him third nationally. The 6-1 junior also leads the conference in interception return yardage with 194. Ross has interceptions in five of the Buckeyes’ nine games, including two against San Diego State and two against Penn State. He scored the first touchdown of his college career at Penn State, returning his second pick of the day 45 yards to pay dirt. Pick No. 7 came this past week against Purdue, Ross returning a Brandon Hance aerial 56 yards. The Ohio State record for interception in a season is nine by Mike Sensibaugh in 1969
Groom Still Second Nationally
After a week off at Minnesota, where the Buckeyes did not have to punt, Andy Groom had three punts against Purdue, averaging 56 yards on three kicks, including a career-best 67-yard boot. Groom improved his season average to 46.7 yards on 30 kicks, but the Ohio State junior is still second nationally behind Purdue’s Travis Dorsch, who is averaging 50.6 yards per kick on 32 punts. Groom, a former walk-on from Columbus who was converted to scholarship earlier this year, has dropped 13 punts inside the 20, time and again pinning opponents deep in their own territory. The Ohio State single-season record for best punting average (47.1) belongs to Tom Tupa and was set in 1984.
Wells Grounding Out Yardage in Big Chunks
Senior tailback Jonathan Wells reached one milestone and neared another Saturday. By rushing for 101 yards against Purdue Saturday, the 6-1, 230-pound Wells became the 18th Ohio State running back to rush for 2,000 or more career yards. Wells now has 2,023 career yards, including 936 this year. The latter total leaves him 64 yards shy of the coveted 1,000 mark for the season.
“That’s a figure I would like to reach,” he says. “To be listed among those Ohio State running backs who have rushed for a thousand yards in a season would be a great honor. It is definitely one of the goals I set for myself when I came here.”
Wells has rushed for 100 or more yards in three straight games and has five 100-yard games on the season. He is fifth in the Big Ten in rushing with an average of 104 yards per game and second in scoring at 7.3 points per game.
Ohio State is 4-1 when he tops the century mark.
Long Range Threat
Split end Michael Jenkins had four receptions for 84 yards in Saturday’s win over Purdue, including a 53-yard touchdown grab. The 6-4 sophomore, who is in his first year as a starter, leads the Buckeyes in receiving with 30 receptions and is averaging a Big Ten-best 22.2 yards per catch. Jenkins has had five receptions of 40 or more yards, including grabs of 66 and 68 yards at Penn State where his four receptions netted 172 yards. He also topped the 100-yard mark in the season opener against Akron, hauling in six passes for 106 yards.
Martin the Complete Package at Fullback
Fullback Jamar Martin is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, a figure that ties him with tailback Jonathan Wells for the best average per carry by an Ohio State running back. He also is averaging 8.7 yards per reception on nine catches. The 6-1, 255-pound senior, who is best known for his devastating blocking, has carried the ball 15 times for 77 yards this year. He had eight carries for 6 yards and one reception all of last year.
An Impressive Rookie Year
Freshman tailback Lydell Ross is the team’s second leading rusher (384 yards) and scorer (36 points on 6 TDs). The 17-year-old Ross made Ohio State history earlier this season by becoming the youngest Ohio State player ever to rush for 100 yards in a game, when he rambled for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a win over Indiana on Sept. 29. Ross, whose 18th birthday is Dec. 14, is the first Ohio State freshman to top the century mark since Robert Smith in 1990. The only other Buckeye freshman to do so is two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, who accomplished the feat in 1972.
Buckeyes Player Notes
Freshman Maurice Hall continues to lead the Buckeyes in return yardage with 396 on 19 attempts, an average of 20.8 yards per kick return. The Ohio State season-record for kick return yardage is 653 yards on 31 attempts, set by Ken-Yon Rambo in 1999. Hall had seven kick returns at Penn State, tying the Ohio State single-game record held by Vince Workman (at Wisconsin, 1987). Ohio State has 14 interceptions on the year, seven of those by Derek Ross. Only three Ohio State players have ever had more in a season. Mike Sensibaugh had nine in 1969 and eight in 1970. Craig Cassady had nine in 1975 and Neil Colzie had eight in 1974. Free safety Donnie Nickey had his first interception of the year against Purdue, returning it 42 yards. It was his fourth career INT. Cornerback Richard McNutt and linebacker Robert Reynolds, both sophomores, made their first career starts against Purdue. Redshirt freshman Brandon “Bam” Childress had his first two kick returns of the year against Purdue. Childress almost broke the first one, going 37 yards before finally being tripped up.
Bellisari Vaults Three Notches in Career Total Offense
With 1,603 yards this year, senior quarterback Steve Bellisari has 6,166 yards in career total offense at Ohio State, a total that ranks him third on the all-time OSU list behind only Art Schlichter and Bobby Hoying. Bellisari threw for 263 yards and rushed for 14 in last week’s win over Purdue, in the process moving around Mike Tomczak, Joe Germaine and Greg Frey. The 6-3 senior has thrown for 5,558 yards during his career and stands sixth in that category, just 11 yards behind Tomczak.
Ohio State Career Total Offense Leaders 1. Art Schlichter 8,850 1,464 atts. 1978-81 2. Bobby Hoying 7,152 1,026 atts. 1992-95 3. Steve Bellisari 6,166 1,019 atts. 1998-01 4. Greg Frey 6,098 988 atts. 1987-90 5. Joe Germaine 6,094 852 atts. 1996-98 6. Mike Tomczak 6,015 858 atts. 1981-83 7. Archie Griffin 5,589 924 atts. 1972-75 8. Jim Karsatos 5,261 759 atts. 1983-86
Ohio State Career Passing Yards Leaders 1. Art Schlichter 7,547 497-951 1978-81 2. Bobby Hoying 7,232 498-858 1992-95 3. Joe Germaine 6,370 439-741 1996-98 4. Greg Frey 6,316 443-835 1987-90 5. Mike Tomczak 5,569 376-675 1981-84 6. Steve Bellisari 5,558 365-724 1998-01 7. Jim Karsatos 5,089 359-629 1983-86
Buckeye Injury Report
Sophomore split end Drew Carter, who missed the first two games with a foot injury, suffered a knee injury prior to the Indiana game and is out indefinitely. Prior to being hurt in fall camp, Carter was penciled in as a starter. He had six receptions last year.
OSU Freshman Contributing
Seven true freshmen have seen action to date for OSU: running backs Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, split end Chris Gamble, flanker Angelo Chattams, defensive end Simon Fraser, safety Dustin Fox and kicker Mike Nugent. Ross is the Buckeyes’ second leading rusher with 384 yards and also is the second leading scorer with 36 points. Fox is the only freshman to start, getting the call at nickel back against Northwestern and recording six tackles in his debut.
Walter Streak Now Stands at 46
Senior Tyson Walter, who sat out all of last year with a back injury, has returned to action this season and has started the first nine games, giving the 6-5, 300-pound senior a string of 46-consecutive starts as the Buckeyes head into this week’s home finale against Illinois. The versatile Walter has started two games a left guard (Akron and Indiana) and the other seven at left tackle this season. Assuming he starts the remaining regular-season games, and possibly a bowl game, Walter will establish an Ohio State record for starts. Walter has been the Buckeyes’ offensive lineman of the week on three occasions this year – Akron, UCLA and Wisconsin.
Buckeye Captains
Seniors Steve Bellisari, Jamar Martin, Joe Cooper and Mike Collins are the 2001 Ohio State captains. Bellisari and Cooper also were captains last season and are the first repeat captains at OSU since Pepper Johnson in 1984 and ’85.
Hartsock Nominated for Academic All-America
Sophomore tight end Ben Hartsock has been nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-America team. Hartsock has a 3.65 grade-point average in biology. In order to be eligible for the team, which is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, a student-athlete must have a GPA of 3.2 or better and be a starter or significant player. Hartsock, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, is the Buckeyes’ No. 2 tight end and has started two games this year. Since 1952, Ohio State has had 30 players selected to the first team, including cornerback Ahmed Plummer in 1999. Hartsock was the Buckeyes’ offensive lineman of the week against San Diego State.
Six Walk-Ons Receive Scholarships
Six members of the Ohio State football team have been converted to scholarship this season. They are seniors Ben Steele (Marysville, Ohio) and Jim Kortovich (Euclid, Ohio), juniors Andy Groom (Columbus), Michael Stafford (Upper Arlington, Ohio) and Andrew Schabo (Worthington, Ohio) and sophomore Jason Bond (Worthington, Ohio)
Maurice Hall Honored by The National Football Foundation
Ohio State freshman running back Maurice Hall has been selected by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as that organization’s Midwest Region High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2001. The award honors high school scholar-athletes who demonstrated outstanding academic application and performance, superior football performance, and exemplary leadership and citizenship. Hall, who was nominated by the Columbus Chapter of the NFFCHF, graduated with a 4.6 GPA, was a First-Team All-Ohio pick and was president of his senior class at Columbus Brookhaven High School.
Game Day Coaching Assignments
On offense, quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels and tight ends coach Bill Conley are in the press box during the game, assisted by offensive graduate assistant Jim Bridge. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and running backs coach Tim Spencer are on the sidelines. Defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio, defensive backs mentor Mel Tucker and grad assistant Brandon Blaney are in the press box, while linebackers coach Mark Snyder, defensive line coach Jim Heacock and special teams coordinator Ken Conatser are on the field.
Hicks OSU’s Latest Hall of Fame Selection
Former All-American offensive tackle John Hicks is the latest Ohio State player to be selected for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Hicks, who won first-team All-America honors in 1972 and ’73, is the 18th Ohio State player to be selected. He will be officially inducted this December in New York. Hicks won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award as a senior in 1973. He also finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, coming within an eyelash of one of the most remarkable hat tricks in college football history.
Decals and Flags Added to OSU Uniform
The Ohio State football team is wearing three special helmet decals this season. The Buckeyes have a “KS” sticker on their helmets in honor of former All-America lineman Korey Stringer, who died in July while at training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. Following the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. and the plane crash in Pennsylvania Sept. 11, an American flag decal was added to the helmets. A third decal, the number 22, was affixed to the head gear prior to the Indiana game in memory of Ohio State soccer player Connor Senn who died Sept. 26 while playing for the Buckeyes. The team also is wearing an American flag on its jerseys. The latter was added prior to the Northwestern game.
Buckeyes Inching Closer to Big Ten Milestone
Ohio State’s all-time Big Ten record stands at 399-154-24. The Buckeyes need one more Big Ten victory to become the second team in league annals to reach the 400 mark. Standing in their way the next two weeks are nationally ranked Illinois and Michigan.
Buckeyes Member of Elite 700 Club
One of the most successful programs in college football, Ohio State now has an all-time record of 731-290-53 in this, its 112th year of varsity competition. The Buckeyes are one of just seven Division I-A schools to top the 700 figure.
Buckeyes Against Ranked Teams
Illinois will be the fourth nationally ranked team that Ohio State has faced this year. The Buckeyes are 2-1 thus far, losing to UCLA (12th at the time), but defeating Northwestern (14th) and Purdue (24th) in their next two outings against Top 25 teams.
Scouting Illinois
A 45-20 loss at Michigan is the only blemish on Illinois’ otherwise perfect record. In the midst of their best start since 1983, the 12th ranked Illini are coming off a thrilling 33-28 come-from-behind win over visiting Penn State this past weekend. That effort stretched their current winning streak to five and kept them tied with the Wolverines for the Big Ten lead at 5-1. Led by senior quarterback Kurt Kittner, whose has moved up to fifth place on the all-time Big Ten passing yardage charts, the Illini are averaging 32 points and 413.1 yards per game. Kittner, who is second in Illinois annals in passing yards behind Jack Trudeau, has completed 156 of 303 passes for 2,333 yards and 17 touchdowns (11 interceptions) so far this year. His career-passing yardage total now stands at an even 7,800 yards. Illinois is throwing for 262.7 yards and rushing for 150.4 in its first nine games. Flanker Brandon Lloyd has been Kittner’s favorite target, hauling in 46 passes for 852 yards and six touchdowns. Fullback Carey Davis has 31 receptions and split end Walter Young 30 in a balanced aerial attack. The Illini rushing game is led by Antoineo Harris with 626 yards and Rocky Harvey with 400. Those two have combined for 10 touchdowns. Harris, however, left last week’s game with a wrist injury and is not expected to play this week. Illinois’ veteran offensive line has allowed just nine sacks on the year. Defensively, the Illini are giving up 20.9 points and 342 yards per game (209.8 passing and 132.4 rushing). The Illinois defense is led by linebacker Jerry Schumacher, who has amassed 91 tackles and 14 tackles-for-loss thus far. As a team, the Illini have 77 tackles-for-loss and 34 sacks. Cornerback Eugene Wilson has five of the team’s 15 interceptions – three of which came last week against Penn State. Kicker Peter Christofilakos has made 11-of-12 field goal attempts for the Illini, including two clutch treys against the Nittany Lions.
Illinois Coach Ron Turner
Ron Turner is in his fifth year at Illinois. His record with the Illini is 24-30 and his record in six seasons as a head coach is 31-34. He is 1-3 against Ohio State, that win coming in 1999 in Columbus, by a score of 46-20.
Game 1: Akron
The Buckeyes opened the 2001 campaign Sept. 8 with a 28-14 win over Akron in front of a then-Ohio Stadium record crowd of 102,602. The game marked the debut of new Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and the unveiling of refurbished Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes rolled up 525 yards in total offense and ran 85 plays (20 more than Akron) on a hot, humid day.
Quarterbacks Steve Bellisari and Scott McMullen threw for 289 yards, spreading the ball around to seven different receivers. Bellisari had a pair of touchdown passes and sophomore split end Michael Jenkins had six receptions for 106 yards in his first career start.
Senior tailback Jonathan Wells ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. The Buckeyes netted 236 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, the Ohio State defense limited the Zips to 248 yards (114 rushing and 134 passing) and one touchdown. Senior linebacker Joe Cooper had a team-high 10 tackles.
The Buckeyes led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and were ahead 21-0 before Akron got on the board with just over two minutes to play in the first half. The two teams traded long touchdowns in the second half, the Buckeyes scoring on a 61-yard pass in the third quarter, and the Zips on an 87-yard interception return in the fourth.
Game 2: at UCLA
In a titanic defensive struggle, the Ohio State defense forced seven fumbles, recovering four of those, and held the Bruins’ offense to 323 total yards, including just 105 yards in the second half. After converting four third-down plays on their first drive, which led to their only touchdown of the day, the Bruins converted just two of 11 the rest of the afternoon.
Linebacker Matt Wilhelm led Ohio State with 10 total tackles, including eight solos and two tackles-for-loss. He also forced a fumble. Strong safety Mike Doss had seven tackles, recovered a fumble and blocked a UCLA punt that Ohio State recovered for a touchdown. And defensive end Tim Cheatwood was credited with five tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. It was a superb defensive effort by the Buckeyes against a veteran and talented offensive team.
UCLA tailback and Heisman Trophy hopeful DeShaun Foster, who had been averaging 149 yards a game, could manage just 66 on 29 carries against the Buckeyes.
Punter Andy Groom had his best day as a Buckeye against UCLA, averaging 46.8 yards per punt on six kicks, including a career-best 61-yard boot. Offensively, the Buckeyes could manage just 166 yards against a solid UCLA defense. In spite of a missed PAT and two missed field goals, Ohio State was a touchdown away from winning the game. Jonathan Wells led the Buckeyes in rushing with 47 yards.
Game 3: at Indiana
Behind the running of true freshman Lydell Ross, the passing of Steve Bellisari, and a third-consecutive impressive defensive showing, Ohio State opened its Big Ten season with a 27-14 road win over Indiana. Ross, a 6-0, 210-pound tailback, slashed and dashed his way through the Hoosiers for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Senior tailback Jonathan Wells added 69 yards and a third rushing TD as the Buckeyes netted 197 yards on the ground.
With the OSU running game in high gear, Bellisari enjoyed the best percentage day of his career, completing 15 of 21 passes for 194 yards. Nine different players caught passes for the Buckeyes, including split end Michael Jenkins and fullback Jamar Martin who led the way with three each. The Buckeyes scored all five times they were in the red zone and when they did bog down, junior punter Andy Groom gave them great field position by averaging 42.3 yards per kick on three punts.
The Ohio State defense, meanwhile, limited the Hoosiers to 337 yards and held ever-dangerous quarterback Antwaan Randle El to 70 yards rushing and 181 yards passing. The Buckeyes won the turnover battle, 2-0, recovering a fumble and picking off an interception. Linebackers Matt Wilhelm and Joe Cooper led a balanced defensive effort with nine and eight tackles, respectively.
Ohio State’s special teams also came up big with All-America Michael Doss blocking a punt for the second-consecutive week.
Game 4: Northwestern
The Buckeyes ran their Big Ten record to 2-0 and chalked up their first win of the season over a ranked opponent, Oct. 6, downing visiting Northwestern by a final score of 38-20. Senior tailback Jonathan Wells got the Buckeyes off on the right foot, bolting 71 yards off left tackle on the second play from scrimmage to stake OSU to a 7-0 lead. Wells would go on to score two more touchdowns and rush for a career-high 179 yards on 22 carries. The 14th ranked Wildcats tied the game at 7-all on their first possession, but the Buckeyes took a 14-7 lead when Will Smith forced a fumble that junior All-America Mike Doss, scooped up and returned 30 yards for a score. OSU led 21-7 at the half on Wells’ 1-yard run. The Buckeyes put the game out of reach by scoring on their first three possessions of the second half and taking control 38-7. Northwestern, which entered the game averaging 490 yards a game, finished with just 306 yards (216 of that coming on the Wildcats last three possessions). The fast-striking Wildcats, who had been averaging nearly 90 plays a game, managed a season-low 79 against an aggressive, well-prepared Ohio State defense, which forced two turnovers and recorded 10 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. The Wildcats dangerous duo of quarterback Zak Kustok and running back Damien Anderson was held to a combined total of 221 yards. Wells got plenty of support in the running department from sophomore Sammy Maldonado and freshman Lydell Ross. Maldonado banged his way through and around the Wildcat defense for 60 yards on 13 carries. Ross added 33 yards on 11 attempts, including a dazzling 9-yard touchdown run at the start of the third quarter that gave OSU a 28-7 bulge. Ohio State finished with a season-high 287-yards rushing on 53 attempts. The 38 points also was a season high for the Buckeyes who downed the Wildcats for the 22nd-consecutive time.
Game 5: Wisconsin
The Buckeyes jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but couldn’t hold on, dropping a 20-17 decision to the visiting Badgers. Ohio State played nearly flawless football the first 30 minutes, scoring on its first three possessions. But Wisconsin got on the board with 46 seconds to play in the first half following a bad punt snap that gave the Badgers the ball at the Ohio State 23. From there, it took Wisconsin just one play to score and snatch away the momentum from their hosts. The Badgers scored a touchdown and two field goals after halftime for the win. With the score tied at 17, the Buckeyes missed a 48-yard field goal try with 5:04 to play. On its next possession, Wisconsin converted from 33 yards out for the game winner. The Buckeyes had a 189 to 112 edge in total offense at the half, but wound up on the short end of a 329 to 253 deficit in the yardage department. Quarterback Steve Bellisari and freshman tailback Lydell Ross each rushed for touchdowns. Jonathan Wells rushed for a team-high 66 yards and Chris Vance had four receptions, including two spectacular grabs. Safety Mike Doss and linebacker Courtland Bullard each had six tackles. Wisconsin running back Anthony Davis finished with 103 yards on 26 carries, 23 of those yards coming on the momentum shifting TD run just before the half. The victory by the Badgers marked the third straight win by the visiting team.
Game 6: San Diego State
Ohio State rallied from its 12-6 halftime deficit by forcing five turnovers in a span of 12:44. Linebacker Joe Cooper started things off with an interception on the Aztecs second possession of the third quarter. That opened the floodgates for the Buckeyes who then came up with a fumble recovery and three more interceptions on the Aztecs next four possessions. With the defense providing the momentum, the offense responded with three touchdowns, including a dazzling 51-yard gallop by freshman tailback Lydell Ross that capped off the scoring. It was the second TD of the day for Ross, who scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter. Quarterback Steve Bellisari and starting tailback Jonathan Wells accounted for the other two second-half touchdowns, Bellisari darting into the corner of the end zone from 4-yards out when his receivers were covered, and Wells bulling his way in from the 1. Bellisari completed 15-of-28 passes for 198 yards, while Wells and Ross each finished with 60 yards rushing. Flanker Chris Vance was on the receiving end of five Bellisari passes and tight end Darnell Sanders had a season-high four. Strong safety Mike Doss led the defense with 12 tackles including a tackle-for-loss. Defensive end Darrion Scott was next in line with seven stops, followed by Cooper and Donnie Nickey with six each. Linebacker Robert Reynolds had a sack, forced a fumble and picked off his first interception of the year. Cornerback Derek Ross had two interceptions and blocked a PAT attempt.
Game 7: at Penn State
Ohio State led 13-9 at the half and scored two quick touchdowns early in the third quarter to take a 27-9 lead. But Penn State scored 20-unanswered points to forge ahead 29-27 with 14:47 to play. Ohio State’s bid for the go-ahead field goal was blocked with 2:55 to play and the Nittany Lions were able to run out the clock and present Coach Joe Paterno with his record setting 324th career win. The game was filled with big plays, including passes of 66 and 68 yards from Steve Bellisari to Michael Jenkins and a 65-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Wells. Additionally, freshman Maurice Hall returned seven kicks for 167 yards. Defensively, the Buckeyes recorded a season-high 18 tackles-for-loss and had three interceptions. Two of the latter were by cornerback Derek Ross. All-America safety Mike Doss had a game-high 13 tackles and linebacker Joe Cooper was credited with three tackles-for-loss. The 18 tackles-for-loss were one shy of the school record of 19 set against Penn State in 1999.
Game 8: at Minnesota
Quarterback Steve Bellisari threw for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns and tailback Jonathan Wells rushed for 152 yards and two scores as the Buckeyes downed Minnesota 31-28. With the offensive line playing its best overall game of the year (no sacks allowed and gaping holes for the running backs), the Buckeyes amassed 468 yards in total offense, including 265 on the ground.
The Buckeyes led 14-13 at the half, then fell behind 20-14 before scoring 17-unanswered points, the last three of which came on a 35-yard field goal by freshman kicker Mike Nugent. After Minnesota cut the deficit to 31-28, Ohio State recovered an on-side kick and ran out the clock behind the ball-control running of Wells. Flanker Chris Vance had his best game as a Buckeye, hauling in five receptions for 101 yards. In addition to 203 yards passing, Bellisari rushed for 66 yards. Linebacker Joe Cooper led the Ohio State defense with eight tackles, one more than defensive linemen Tim Anderson, Darrion Scott and Will Smith. Anderson, who forced two fumbles and had a pair of sacks, was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. All-America safety Mike Doss added an interception.
George Joins Select Circle
Former Ohio State All-America and 1995 Heisman Trophy recipient Eddie George had his number (27) retired at halftime of the Purdue-Ohio State game. George is the fifth Ohio State football player to have his jersey number retired, joining Archie Griffin (45), Vic Janowicz (31), Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (40) and Les Horvath (22). Griffin was honored in 1999, Janowicz and Cassady in 2000, and Horvath earlier this year at the Northwestern game on Oct. 6. The numbers of all five players are on permanent display on the faade below “C” Deck in the north end of Ohio Stadium.
Media Information
Coach Jim Tressel’s weekly Media Luncheon is held each Tuesday at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Caf©, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Selected Ohio State players will be available for interviews at the luncheon and following practice later that afternoon (about 6:15 p.m.). Tuesday practices are open to the media, but photographers are permitted to film the first four periods ONLY. Coach Tressel and two designated assistants also are available following Thursday practices. A reminder that ALL requests for player, assistant coach and head coach interviews must be directed to either Steve Snapp, Pat Chun or Dan Wallenberg in the Ohio State Athletics Communications Office (614/292-3103 or 292-6861). Also, television stations are asked not to interview players coming off the field following the completion of the game. The first opportunity to interview players after a game will be in the interview room after Coach Tressel has spoken with the team.
Michigan Up Next
Ohio State closes out its regular season next week at Michigan. Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST in sold out Michigan Stadium (107,501). The game, the 98th between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, will be televised by ABC-TV. The two teams have played continuously since 1918 and have closed out their Big Ten season against one another every year since 1935.
