Illini Rally to Down Buckeyes 34-22 – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov 17, 2001%^$
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Video Courtesy of ESPN
%^$%^$Michael Jenkins pulls in the Craig Krenzel pass for a 17-yard TD.%^$
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%^$%^$Ohio State’s Scott McMullen finds Chris Vance over the middle for an 11-yard%^$TD.%^$
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%^$COLUMBUS, Ohio-Ohio State sophomore quarterback Craig Krenzel guided the Buckeyes to a pair of third quarter touchdowns but Illinois responded with a pair fourth quarter scores to down the Buckeyes 34-22 Saturday.%^$
%^$A record crowd of 104,407 watched Ohio State senior Jonathan Wells rush for 192 yards on 23 carries on Senior Day at Ohio State (6-4 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten). He becomes the 16th Ohio State player to eclipse 1,000-yards rushing (1,128) in a season.%^$
%^$Krenzel, third on the OSU depth chart at quarterback, orchestrated a 95-yard, 14-play scoring drive to start the second half to cut Illinois’s lead to 21-16.%^$
%^$Sophomore receiver Michael Jenkins caught a Krenzel pass in the back of the end zone for a 17-yard scoring strike with 5:43 to play in the third quarter. Ohio State’s attempt at a pass for a two-point conversion failed.%^$The drive stalled after three plays but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Buckeyes a needed first down and extended the drive.%^$
%^$The Buckeye defense forced an Illinois (9-1, 6-1) punt on the Illini’s next possession. Ohio State took over on the Buckeye 45 following a Chris Vance 16-yard return.%^$
%^$Krenzel, who replaced OSU starter Scott McMullen, guided Ohio State to its second-consecutive touchdown drive of the third quarter on a nine-play, 55-yard march that culminated with a 2-yard scoring run by Wells. With the Buckeyes up 22-21, Ohio State attempted another pass for the two-point conversion but it failed with one second left in the third quarter.%^$
%^$Illinois regained the lead following an 80-yard, 12-play drive on its next possession after a 1-yard touchdown run by Carey Davis. The two-point conversion attempt failed leaving Illinois with a 27-22 lead with 10:48 left in the game.%^$
%^$Ohio State, deep in its own territory following a 43-yard punt by Illinois’ Steve Fitts, needed a 98-yard drive in the final 5:23 for a winning touchdown. Instead, Illinois’ Ty Myers intercepted a Krenzel pass at the OSU 5 and took it in for the game’s final score.%^$
%^$The Buckeyes started the game with McMullen at quarterback.%^$
%^$His first series as a starter did not produce a first down forcing an Ohio State punt. Andy Groom’s punt was blocked by Illinois’ Dwayne Smith and recovered by cornerback Michael Hall, who scored after a 2-yard return at the 14-minute mark of the opening quarter.%^$
%^$Illinois led 7-0 for 1:44 seconds before McMullen took the Buckeyes down for a tying touchdown with 12:16 to play in the opening quarter.%^$
%^$Wells took the first snap of Ohio State’s second offensive series 59 yards down to the Illinois 12-yard line. McMullen then found junior Chris Vance over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown to even the score.%^$
%^$Illinois was forced to punt on its first offensive set of downs after Ohio State senior defensive tackle Mike Collins sacked Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner for a 6-yard loss to the Illinois 20. Ohio State took over on its own 46.%^$
%^$The Buckeyes were again forced to punt from midfield. This time Groom took a high snap and found an opening up the middle for a 27-yard gain to prolong the Ohio State drive.%^$
%^$Wells carried the Buckeyes to the Illinois 6-yard line before Mike Nugent booted a 23-yard field goal for a 10-7 Ohio State lead with 6:43 to play in the first quarter.%^$
%^$Kittner marched the Illini inside Ohio State territory but was faced with a fourth-and-one on the Buckeye 26. Illinois went for the first down but Ohio State senior linebacker Joe Cooper met running back Rocky Harvey in the backfield forcing a fumble at the OSU 29. Cornerback Mike Doss recovered the fumble and returned the ball six yards, giving the Buckeyes possession at the OSU 35.%^$
%^$Ohio State was forced to punt on its next possession.%^$
%^$On the first play of the second quarter, Kittner was intercepted by OSU safety Donnie Nickey at the OSU 9. Nickey returned the pick to the OSU 46.%^$
%^$The Buckeyes drove to the Illinois 19. A Mike Nugent 26-yard field goal attempt failed to the right.%^$
%^$Kittner took Illinois to the Ohio State 37 but the Buckeye defense forced a punt. Illinois attempted a fake but was called for an illegal formation, negating a first down shovel pass. Illinois then pinned Ohio State at its own 5-yard line after Fitts was credited with a 38-yard punt.%^$
%^$The Illinois defense forced Groom to punt from the OSU 31. He responded with a 53-yard boot, giving the Illini possession on its own 17 with 5:02 left in the first half.%^$
%^$Kittner completed back-to-back passes of over 24 yards, the final for the early go-ahead touchdown, with 2:35 to play in the first half.%^$
%^$After a 24-yard completion to flanker Greg Lewis, Kittner found split end Walter Young for 37-yard score down the left side for a 14-10 lead.%^$
%^$Ohio State inserted Krenzel at quarterback on OSU’s next possession. He was sacked and threw a pair of long incompletions. After a Groom punt, Illinois took over in Ohio State territory on the Buckeye 44.%^$
%^$Two plays later, Kittner found receiver Aaron Moorehead for a 36-yard touchdown and a 21-10 lead with under a minute remaining in the second quarter.%^$
%^$Krenzel returned and took the Buckeyes to the Illinois 23 before a Nugent 40-yard field goal attempt failed to the left to end the half.%^$
%^$Ohio State will play its final regular-season game of the season at 1 p.m. next Saturday at Michigan. The game will be televised nationally by ABC Sports.
