Ohio State Welcomes Purdue To Ohio Stadium – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2001
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Buckeyes Host Boilers
Ohio State returns home this week to host the Purdue Boilermakers. Kickoff time Saturday is set for 12:10 p.m. EST in Ohio Stadium (101,568). The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.
The Buckeyes enter the game with a 5-3 record for all games and a 3-2 mark in Big Ten play. Coach Jim Tressel’s squad snapped a two-game Big Ten losing streak Saturday, downing Minnesota 31-28 in Minneapolis. The victory leaves the Buckeyes in a three-way tie for third in the conference standings, a game behind co-leaders Illinois and Michigan (OSU’s next two opponents) with three games to play.
Purdue is 5-2 on the year and, like the Buckeyes and Michigan State, 3-2 in the Big Ten. Joe Tiller’s Boilers, who are 2-1 on the road this year, are coming off a 38-13 loss to visiting Illinois last week.
As part of this weekend’s festivities, former Ohio State All-America Eddie George will have his number retired at halftime. George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, wore No. 27 during his four years (1992-95) with the Buckeyes. Currently a member of the Tennessee Titans, George will fly to Columbus Saturday morning and then return to Nashville immediately after the ceremony to prepare for the Titans’ Monday night game against Baltimore.
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 second-consecutive and fourth overall appearance of the year on ESPN. The network also televised the Northwestern, Penn State and Minnesota games. Steve Levy, Todd Christiensen and Dave Ryan are this week’s announcers.
Anderson Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Ohio State defensive tackle Tim Anderson has been named as the Big Ten’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday’s 31-28 road win at Minnesota. Anderson, a 6-3, 289-pound sophomore, was credited with seven tackles against the Gophers. He also had two tackles-for-loss (both sacks) and forced a pair of fumbles. In his first year as a starter, Anderson has 24 tackles on the year, including six tackles-for-loss. His sacks at Minnesota were his first two of the year.
Buckeyes and Boilers Series Notes
This will be just the 46th meeting between Ohio State and Purdue. The two teams first met in 1919 with Ohio State recording a 20-0 triumph. In fact, the Buckeyes won the first six games in the series, all by shutout. Purdue ended that streak with a whitewashing of its own in 1938, blanking OSU 12-0 in Columbus. Between 1989 and 1999, the Buckeyes reeled off seven-consecutive wins, including a 25-22 thriller in Ohio Stadium in 1999. Purdue ended that streak last year with a dramatic come-from-behind 31-27 win in West Lafayette. The Buckeyes have a 22-5-2 edge in Columbus and have won the last four played in Ohio Stadium dating back to a 31-26 loss in 1988.
More on Last Year
In a game, that became an instant ESPN Classic, the Boilers downed the visiting Buckeyes 31-27 behind a three-touchdown, 455-yard passing performance by quarterback Drew Brees. Purdue led 7-3 at the half, but Ohio State went ahead 20-10 after three quarters. When the Boilers took a 24-20 lead with 5:59 to play, the Buckeyes answered with a touchdown of their own at the 2:16 mark and led 27-24. Undaunted and unflappable, Brees directed his team down the field in two plays, throwing his final TD pass of the day with 1:55 remaining. The Buckeyes were unable to score on their final possession and thus lost to the Boilers for the first time in seven games. The loss spoiled outstanding efforts by Steve Bellisari (208 yards passing on 17 of 29), Mike Doss (two of the team’s four interceptions against Brees) and Nate Clements (an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown). Three different Purdue receivers finished with 100 or more yards receiving, including tight end Tim Stratton who had 12 receptions.
About The Buckeyes
With three games to play, Ohio State controls its own destiny in terms of the Big Ten championship race. The Buckeyes, 3-2 in the league play, could assure themselves of at least a share of the 2001 Big Ten title by winning out. But the road that lies ahead is a steep one, with Illinois and Michigan (both currently 4-1 in league play), looming on the horizon following Purdue. The Buckeyes, who are 5-3 on the year and 3-2 in the Big Ten, are 3-1 at home and 2-2 on the road thus far in 2001. After eight games the Buckeyes are averaging 25.1 points and 368.1 yards per game. Defensively, they are allowing 18.8 points and 344.9 yards a game. The 18.8 figure is the second best in the Big Ten and ranks Ohio State 20th nationally. Other significant stats include a plus eight in the turnover department (19 gained, 11 lost) and the second highest time of possession figure in the Big Ten (31:20). The Buckeyes also are second in net punting in the Big Ten with an average of 39.1.
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel
With a 5-3 mark in his first year as head coach at Ohio State, Jim Tressel now sports a lifetime record of 140-60-2. 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 Purdue.
All-America Update
All-America safety Michael Doss continues to pace the Buckeyes in tackles with 65 stops on the year. The hard-hitting Doss has led the Buckeyes in tackles in four of the past five games and has 49 total tackles in that span. The 5-11, 203-pound junior also has two blocked punts on the year, has scored a touchdown on a 30-yard fumble runback, leads the team in tackles-for-loss with eight, 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 eight games, has been the Buckeyes’ Offensive Lineman of the Week on two occasions 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 graded out to 92 percent against Minnesota, the seventh-consecutive game in which he has topped the 90th percentile.
Derek Ross Big Ten Pick Leader
Cornerback Derek Ross has six interceptions on the year and leads the Big Ten with an average of 0.75 picks per game, a figure that ranks him fourth nationally. The 6-1 junior also leads the conference in interception return yardage with 138. Ross has interceptions in four of the Buckeyes’ eight 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.
Groom Gets a Day Off
The Ohio State offense was so effective last week that junior punter Andy Groom never got a chance to strut his stuff at Minnesota. In spite of his day off, Groom is still second nationally in punting with an averaging 45.6 yards per kick on 27 punts. He trails Purdue’s Travis Dorsch, who is averaging 50.4 yards per kick on 30 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. If Groom maintains his current average, it would be the fifth best in Ohio State history and the best since 1987.
Wells Wanted the Ball, and Got It, at Minnesota
Senior tailback Jonathan Wells topped the 100-yard mark for the second-consecutive week Saturday, rushing for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 24 carries at Minnesota. The 6-1, 230-pound Wells was at his best when the Buckeyes needed him most. With OSU leading 31-28, the Buckeyes recovered an on-side kick with 1:55 left to play. From that point on, Wells took over, picking up 42 yards on three carries and allowing the Buckeyes to run out the clock at the Minnesota 6.
“I was in a little bit of a groove and I just felt good running the ball,” said Wells. “I knew we had to get a first down on that last drive to keep the ball out of their hands and I wanted to be the one to carry the ball.”
Given the chance, he did not disappoint, ripping off runs of 18, 3 and 21 yards on his last three carries.
Wells now has four 100-yard games this year and six during his career. He also has 1,922 career yards as a Buckeye, leaving him 78 yards shy of the 2,000 mark. Should he top that figure, he would become the 18th Ohio State running back to do so.
Wells, who has 835 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year, leads the team in rushing and scoring. He is fifth in the Big Ten in rushing with an average of 104.4 yards per game. He also is third in the league in scoring with an average of 7.5 points per game.
Jenkins Paces OSU Receiving Corps
Sophomore split end Michael Jenkins continues to lead Ohio State in receiving with 26 catches for 583 yards and one touchdown. Jenkins, who has had at least one reception in each of the Buckeyes’ first eight games, is averaging a Big Ten best 22.4 yards per catch. The 6-4 sophomore had his best day in terms of yardage at Penn State, hauling in four Steve Bellisari passes for 172 yards. It was the second 100-yard day of the season for Jenkins who had 106 yards (on six catches) in the season opener against Akron. Jenkins, who had catches of 66 yards (TD) and 68 yards at Penn State, has 11 receptions in the past three games.
Vance Overcomes Personal Grief
Junior wide receiver Chris Vance had other things on his mind besides football on Saturday. Vance learned Wednesday that his father had died after an extended illness. In spite of that loss, Vance elected to play in Saturday’s game at Minnesota before going to the services on Sunday. Amazingly, he stayed focused enough to haul in five catches for 101 yards, including a dazzling 36-yard touchdown grab that put Ohio State on top 28-20. It was his first 100-yard game as a Buckeye. The Buckeyes’ second leading receiver, Vance now has 17 receptions on the year, including two for touchdowns. He is averaging 20.7 yards per catch.
Recapping the Minnesota Game
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.
Tressel on Minnesota and Purdue
“We talked all week about playing for 60 minutes and I think we did that. We made plays when we had to, something we have not been doing recently. We talk a lot about special teams. Our field goal late in the game and recovering the on-side kick after Minnesota got to within three points are great examples of how important special teams play is. I am pleased that the offense didn’t have any interceptions or allow any sacks. That shows we are making progress in the passing game. But there is still a lot to work on in all areas of our game. Our challenge is to get better this week and get ready for Purdue,” said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
Martin Carrying on OSU Tradition
Fullback Jamar Martin is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, tops among the running backs who are in the regular rotation. He also is averaging 8.7 yards per reception. The 6-1, 255-pound senior has carried the ball 14 times this year. He had eight carries and one reception all of last year. Over the years, Ohio State has been known for its stellar fullback play. Martin certainly fits into that mold.
Freshman Running Back OSU’s Second Leading Rusher
Freshman tailback Lydell Ross rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries at Minnesota and is the team’s second leading rusher (364 yards) and scorer (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. Ross, whose 18th birthday is Dec. 14, rushed for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ win over Indiana Sept. 29. He 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 382 on 18 attempts, an average of 21.2 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 11 interceptions on the year, six 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. Tailback Jonathan Wells is Ohio State’s third leading receiver with 11 catches. He caught nine all of last year. Defensive tackle Darrion Scott had seven tackles at Minnesota and now has 38 stops on the year, compared to eight in limited playing time in 2000.
Bellisari Needs 127 Yards to Surpass Tomczak in Total Offense
With 1,324 yards this year, senior quarterback Steve Bellisari has 5,889 yards in career total offense at Ohio State, a total that ranks him sixth on the all-time OSU list. Bellisari has thrown for 5,295 yards during his career and also stands sixth in that category.
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. Greg Frey 6,098 988 atts. 1987-90 4. Joe Germaine 6,094 852 atts. 1996-98 5. Mike Tomczak 6,015 858 atts. 1981-83 6. Steve Bellisari 5,889 990 atts. 1998-01 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 5,295 351-704 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. Junior cornerback Cie (see) Grant suffered a concussion in the first half of the Minnesota game and did not return. His status will be evaluated during the week.
OSU Freshman in The Thick of Things
Seven true freshmen have seen action to date for OSU: running backs Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, split end Chris Gamble, flanker/defensive back Angelo Chattams, defensive end Simon Fraser, safety Dustin Fox and kicker Mike Nugent. Ross is the Buckeyes’ second leading rusher with 364 yards and also is the second leading scorer with 36 points. Fox is the only freshman to start, getting the call at nickel against Northwestern and recording six tackles in his debut.
Walter Streak Now Stands at 45
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 eight games, giving the 6-5, 300-pound senior a string of 45-consecutive starts as the Buckeyes head into this week’s game against Purdue. The versatile Walter has started two games a left guard (Akron and Indiana) and the other six 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 will be in the press box during the game, assisted by offensive graduate assistant Jim Bridge. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and running backs coach Tim Spencer will be on the sidelines. On defense, linebackers coach Mark Snyder, defensive backs mentor Mel Tucker and grad assistant Brandon Blaney will be upstairs, while defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio, defensive line coach Jim Heacock and special teams coordinator Ken Conatser will be 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 Now Two Shy of Big Ten Milestone
Ohio State’s all-time Big Ten record stands at 398-154-24. The Buckeyes need two more Big Ten wins to become the second team in league annals to reach the 400 mark. Standing in their way are Purdue, Illinois and Michigan the next three weeks.
Buckeyes Member of Elite 700 Club
One of the most successful programs in college football, Ohio State now has an all-time record of 730-290-53 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
Ohio State is 1-1 against teams in the Top 25 this year, losing 13-6 to UCLA (ranked 12th at the time) and defeating then No. 14 Northwestern, 38-20. All three of Buckeyes remaining opponents – Purdue, Illinois and Michigan – are ranked in the Top 25.
Scouting Purdue
The Boilers, currently ranked 24th in this week’s ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, opened their season minus All-America quarterback Drew Brees but still jumped out to a 4-0 start, including Big Ten wins at Minnesota (35-28 in OT) and over Iowa (23-14). After Michigan knocked them from the unbeaten ranks with a 24-10 victory in Ann Arbor Oct. 13, the Boilers split a pair of home games, downing Northwestern (32-27) before losing to Illinois (38-13) this past weekend. Against Illinois, the Boilers forced six turnovers and took an early 13-0 lead, but then surrendered 38-unanswered points. On the year, Purdue is averaging 23.6 points and giving up 22.7. In the yardage department, the Boilers average 329 yards per game, with 208 of that coming through the air and the remaining 121 on the ground. Their opponents are averaging 331 yards per game – 212 passing and 119 rushing. Elusive running back Montrell Lowe has rushed for a team-high 380 yards and quarterback Brandon Hance has 217 and three touchdowns. Hance, a 6-1 redshirt freshman, has thrown for 1,342 yards and eight touchdowns. He has completed 53 percent of his passes and has been intercepted seven times. Wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield, another redshirt freshman, has 44 receptions and tight end Tim Stratton has 30 grabs. Junior wide receiver Seth Morales has a team-best four TD catches. Defensively, safety Stuart Schweigert leads the Gold and Black with 60 total stops, including a team-high 43 solos. He also has five interceptions (one of which came against Illinois) and has forced three fumbles. Defensive end Akin Ayodele, a 6-3, 253-pound senior, has 51 stops and is second in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 17. The Boilers also boast one of the top kickers in the country in Travis Dorsch, who leads the Big Ten in punting (50.4), field goals made (14 of 18) and kick scoring (55 points). In the loss to Illinois, the 6-6 senior averaged 52 yards per kick on seven punts and kicked a season-long 50-yard field goal.
Purdue Coach Joe Tiller
Joe Tiller is in his fifth year as the head coach at Purdue. His record with the Boilers is 38-18-0 and his career record in 11 seasons is 77-48-1. He led the Boilers to an 8-4 record and a three-way share of the Big Ten title last year, also guiding Purdue to a berth in the 2001 Rose Bowl. He is 1-1 against Ohio State.
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: 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.
Horvath’s No. 22 Retired
The jersey number of Ohio State’s first Heisman Trophy winner, the late Les Horvath, was officially retired at halftime of the Oct. 6 Northwestern game. His No. 22, which now hangs in the north end of Ohio Stadium, will never again be worn by an Ohio State football player. Horvath, who died in 1995, won the Heisman in 1944, leading Ohio State to a 9-0 record and the Big Ten championship. He is the fourth Ohio State football player to have his number retired, joining Archie Griffin (1999), Vic Janowicz (2000) and Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (2000).
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.
Buckeyes in Home Finale Next Week
Ohio State plays its final home game of the 2001 season next week, hosting Illinois on Saturday in the battle for the Illibuck. Ohio State’s senior football players will be honored prior to kickoff. Starting time for the game will be announced later this week. Following the Illinois game, the Buckeyes close out the regular season on Nov. 24 at Michigan.
