Ohio State, Michigan Meet in Dramatic Finale – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 19, 2002
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Buckeyes Put Perfect 12-0 Mark On The Line Against Wolverines
Ohio State closes out the regular season Saturday by hosting Michigan in jammed-packed Ohio Stadium, where a stadium-record crowd of more than 105,000 is expected to witness the annual season finale between two of college football’s most storied and respected programs.
This will be the 99th meeting between the two gridiron giants, who through the years have combined to win more than 1,400 games and capture 68 Big Ten titles.
While this game is always circled in red by both teams, the stakes are at an all-time high this year.
Ohio State is 12-0 on the year and 7-0 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are ranked second nationally in both major polls and were No. 1 in last week’s BCS standings. A win Saturday would clinch a share of the Big Ten title for OSU (Iowa is already in at 8-0) and virtually guarantee Jim Tressel’s team of a spot in the national championship game in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Jan. 3.
Michigan is 9-2 on the year and 6-1 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are rated ninth in this week’s ESPN/USA Today poll and 12th in the Associated Press voting. Coach Lloyd Carr’s squad has won its last three games and seven of its last eight.
Michigan is coming off a 21-14 win over Wisconsin in Ann Arbor. Ohio State kept its unbeaten streak in tact last week with a pulsating 23-16 overtime victory at Illinois.
Saturday’s game will be televised by ABC Sports (Ohio State’s sixth consecutive and eighth overall appearance of the year on ABC) and will kickoff at 12:10 p.m. EST. WBNS Radio, the flagship station for the Ohio State radio network, begins its network programming one hour before kickoff and will have exclusive coverage of Coach Tressel’s comments immediately following the game.
ESPN’s College Game Day will be on campus for the game, as will ESPN’s radio version of College Game Day. Pacific West Radio Sports will broadcast the game nationally outside of Ohio.
Senior Day For 13 Buckeyes
Seniors Chris Conwell, Mike Doss, Cie Grant, Andy Groom, Scott Kuhnhein, Donnie Nickey, Kenny Peterson, Michael Stafford, David Thompson, Jack Tucker, Chris Vance, Matt Wilhelm and Jeremy Uhlenhake will be playing their final game in Ohio Stadium and will be introduced, along with their families, prior to the game.
“This senior class has been small in number, but large in leadership,” said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. “It has been willing to do whatever the team needs. Any extraordinary season has a group of seniors who are having their career best year.”
Senior managers Pat Fuller and Kevin Groom also will be recognized.
A Quick Glance At The Coaches
Big Ten and National Coach of the Year candidate Jim Tressel is in his second year at Ohio State, where his record of 19-5 for all games includes a 12-3 mark in Big Ten play. Tressel, now in his 17th season as a head coach, has a career record of 154-62-2. Prior to Ohio State, Tressel spent 15 highly-successful years as head coach at Youngstown State, where he was a four-time pick as the Division 1-AA National Coach of the Year. Tressel is 1-0 against Michigan following a 26-20 victory last year in Ann Arbor.
Lloyd Carr is completing his eighth season as the head coach at Michigan. His record with the Wolverines is 75-22 and includes a mark of 49-14 in Big Ten play. He is 5-2 against Ohio State.
The Ratings Game
For the second-consecutive week, Ohio State is a solid No. 2 behind Miami in both major polls. The Buckeyes, who began the season ranked 12th by ESPN/USA Today and 13th by the Associated Press, and the Hurricanes are the only major unbeaten teams remaining in college football. Additionally, Ohio State was first in last week’s Bowl Championship Series standings. This is Ohio State’s highest ranking since the 1998 campaign, when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 for the first nine weeks of the season. The Buckeyes are 3-0 against ranked teams this year, including a 25-7 win over third-ranked Washington State Cougars
The Story Line
Ohio State, the last Big Ten team to win a consensus national championship in football, could make history Saturday by becoming the first Big Ten team to qualify for the Bowl Championship Series title game. The Buckeyes have several streaks on the line, including wins in 13-consecutive regular-season games and eight straight victories in Big Ten action. A victory Saturday would give Ohio State a share of its 29th conference championship.
A Look At The Buckeyes
Ohio State has won a school record 12 games this year and is ranked second nationally in both major polls. A win Saturday, would enable the Buckeyes to gain a share of the Big Ten title and secure a spot in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and the national championship game Jan. 3, 2003. After launching the season with a convincing 45-21 win over Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic, the Buckeyes have recorded wins over Washington State (25-7), Penn State (13-7) and Minnesota (34-3), all of whom were nationally ranked at the time they played Ohio State. This is the first 12-0 start for the Buckeyes, who have won 13 regular-season and eight conference games in a row.
Heading into this week’s game against Michigan, the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in scoring defense (12.5 points a game), as well as total defense (312.9 yards per game). Ohio State is also second in rushing defense (75.2 yards per game).
Led by All-America safety Mike Doss, linebacker Matt Wilhelm, and arguably the best defensive front in college football, the Buckeyes have played rock solid defensively of late, allowing a total of 46 points in the last six games, including just 16 in the second half of those games. Ohio State has been particularly effective against the run, holding each of its last four opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground. In the win over Penn State, the Nittany Lions’ fine senior running back, Larry Johnson, netted 66 yards on 16 carries.
Offensively, the Buckeyes are averaging 30.4 points and 381 yards per game. Ohio State is third in the league in scoring and fourth in rushing offense (199.4) yards per game.
With quarterback Craig Krenzel at the controls, the Buckeyes have converted 44 of 52 red zone opportunities. They also lead the Big Ten in time of possession.
In punter Andy Groom and kicker Mike Nugent, the Buckeyes boast the top kicking tandem in college football. Groom leads the Big Ten with an average of 45.1 yards per punt on 48 kicks. Nugent leads the league in field goals made (24) and percentage (92.3 percent). He is fourth in overall scoring (9.2 points a game).
Buckeyes Just Keep Finding A Way To Win
Ohio State ran its record to 12-0, but needed an overtime session to down Illinois, 23-16, on a cold, windy day in Champaign. It was the first overtime game for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Illinois narrowed the margin to 6-3 at halftime and took a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter on a 19-yard pass from John Beutjer to Walter Young. Eugene Wilson set up the score with a 52-yard punt return to the OSU 23.
The Buckeyes came right back to take the lead on their next possession — Craig Krenzel teaming up with split end Michael Jenkins from 50 yards out.
With OSU leading 16-13 in the closing minute of regulation play, Illinois marched from its own 25 to the
Ohio State 31 and kicked a 48-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired.
Ohio State struck first in the extra session, scoring on an 8-yard run by Maurice Hall on third down. Krenzel kept the drive alive with a key 14-yard scramble from the 25.
Illinois then took its turn, but when tackle Tim Anderson batted down a fourth-down Beutjer pass, the Buckeyes were 12-0 for the first time in school history.
Linebacker Matt Wilhelm had 12 tackles for the Buckeyes and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following the game.
Coach Tressel On The Buckeyes
“We have said right from the beginning that in order to win the Big Ten championship, and that is our goal, you have to win all your games at home. That is what we are going to be focusing on this week, getting ready to play at home against a very good Michigan team.”
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel
| Jim Tressel |
Ohio State is under the second-year direction of49-year-old Jim Tressel. Now in his 17th year as a head coach,Tressel’s impressive resume includes an all-time record of154-62-2, including a 19-5 mark with the Buckeyes. He is 12-3 inBig Ten action to date and has led the Buckeyes toeight-consecutive conference victories.
Prior to coming to Ohio State, Tressel spent 15 years at Youngstown State, where he guided the Penguins to four Division I-AA national championships (1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97) and 10 appearances in the playoffs. He was a four-time pick as the national coach of the year, winning that honor in each of his championship seasons. Prior to taking over at YSU in 1986, Tressel spent three years as an assistant to Earle Bruce at Ohio State. In that role, he coached the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs and went to three bowl games, including the Rose Bowl. His list of star pupils during that time includes Mike Tomczak, Cris Carter and Keith Byars. Prior to Ohio State, Tressel also served apprenticeships at Akron, Miami (Ohio) and Syracuse.
Tressel, the 22nd head coach in Ohio State annals, was named to his present position Jan. 18, 2001. Jim’s father, the late Lee Tressel, enjoyed a very successful coaching career at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio, where he won the 1978 Division III National Championship. His brother, Dick Tressel, is a former head football coach at Hamline University in Minnesota and currently serves as assistant director of football operations at Ohio State. As a family, the Tressels have won 433 games.
Doss Hopes to Join Elite Circle
Senior safety Michael Doss is already a two-time All-American. Should he garner All-America honors again this year, he would become just the seventh three-time All-American in Ohio State history, joining Chic Harley (1916, ’17, ’19), Wes Fesler (1928-30), Lou Hinchman (1930-32), Merle Wendt (1934-36), Archie Griffin (1973-75) and Tom Skladany (1974-76) in a very select group of athletes.
Doss is the Buckeyes’ second leading tackler with 85 total stops, including a season-high 14 at Wisconsin. The 5-11, 204-pound Doss also has a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown to his credit this year. He led the Buckeyes in tackles at Purdue with nine.
“Michael Doss is playing the best football of his career,” says OSU coach Jim Tressel. “He is a playmaker and a leader out there for us.”
Doss has graded out to 85 percent or better in each of the Buckeyes’ past six games.
Krenzel Keeps Buckeyes On The Winning Track
| Craig Krenzel |
Junior quarterback Craig Krenzel is now 13-1 as a starter,with that one loss coming in the Outback Bowl, where he playedbriefly in two series. With the 6-4, 225-pound Krenzel at thecontrols, the Buckeyes have jumped out to a 12-0 start this year,including a 7-0 record in the Big Ten, and are second in both wireservice polls. The heady redhead, who is majoring in moleculargenetics and will one day attend medical school, has completed61.2percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,864 yards and 12touchdowns. He has been intercepted just five times (twice eachagainst Cincinnati and Penn State and once at Purdue) and rankssecond in the Big Ten in passing efficiency with a 148.2 rating. Isseventh nationally. He also has rushed for 267 yards and atouchdown and has a pair of 29-yard runs to his credit. Earlierthis year, Krenzel tied an Ohio State record by completing12-consecutive passes (his last one against Texas Tech and hisfirst 11 against Kent State). At Purdue, with Ohio State trailing6-3 and facing fourth-and-one with 1:42 to play, he connected withsplit end Michael Jenkins on a 37-yard touchdown pass thatpropelled the Buckeyes to a 10-6 victory. This past week atIllinois, he and Jenkins connected on a 50-yard scoring pass. Laterhis 14-yard scramble in overtime set up the Buckeyes’ winningtouchdown.
Jenkins “Mr. Clutch” For The Buckeyes
Michael Jenkins, the Buckeyes’ silky-smooth split end, has a penchant for coming up big when it counts most. The 6-5 junior demonstrated that ability again Saturday at Illinois by hauling in a 50-yard touchdown pass that, at the time, gave Ohio State a 13-10 lead in a game that the Buckeyes would go on to win in overtime, 23-16. Jenkins had six receptions for 147 yards at Illinois – his third 100-yard game of the year. He has now caught a pass in 24-consecutive games and leads the team in receptions (53), receiving yardage (980) and touchdown catches (6). He has surpassed his reception total of a year ago (49) and needs just 9 yards to better last year’s yardage total (988). He has moved up to 10th on OSU’s all-time receiving list with 102 receptions. He also has 1,968 career receiving yards, a total that places him sixth in Ohio State annals.
Nugent A Groza Finalist
Ohio State sophomore kicker Mike Nugent has been named as one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award as college football’s best place-kicker.
Nugent, a sophomore from Centerville, Ohio, has set seven school records this year: most points by a kicker (111), most field goals in a season (24), most consecutive field goals made (24), most consecutive field goals made in a season (23), most consecutive field goals in Ohio Stadium (15), most consecutive games with at least one field goal (12), and most field goals of 40 or more yards in a season (9). He also tied the school mark for 40-yard field goals in a game (3 vs. Washington State).
He leads the Big Ten in field goals made and is second in field goal percentage.
Nugent’s string of 24-consecutive makes came to an end at Illinois when he missed from 37 yards out. He had made 23 in a row this year, just two shy of the NCAA record.
“As long as we are winning, records don’t mean a thing to me,” said Nugent. “I will take a win like we had Saturday anytime.”
Mike Nugent’s 2002 Records
Most Season Points/Kicker – 111
Most Field Goals in a Season – 24
Consecutive Field Goals Made – 24
Consecutive Field Goals/Season – 23
Consecutive FG Made At Home – 15
Consecutive Games with a FG – 12
40-yard Field Goals in a Season – 9
40-yard Field Goals in a Game – 3*
*Ties record (Washington State)
Gamble Tops The Century Mark Again
Chris Gamble, Ohio State’s super sophomore who has started the past four games at both flanker and cornerback, took part in 128 plays in Saturday’s overtime win at Illinois. In addition to three tackles and two passes broken up, Gamble had one reception for 14 yards and returned three punts for 31 yards. Two weeks ago at Purdue, the 6-2 Gamble was in on 110 plays.
Three Buckeyes Win Academic Honors
Quarterback Craig Krenzel (molecular genetics), tight end Ben Hartsock (biology) and cornerback Dustin Fox (communications) have been named to the Verizon Academic All-District IV Football Team. All three will now be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-America. To be eligible for consideration, a player must be a starter or key reserve and have a grade point average of 3.2 or better. The team will be announced Dec. 2.
Clarett Still 56 Yards Shy of Single-Season Frosh Rushing Mark
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett is just the second true freshman in Ohio State history to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season. The 6-0, 230-pound Clarett (who has played only sparingly the past four games because of a shoulder injury) nonetheless has 1,071 yards on the year, an average of 119 yards per game and 6.0 yards per carry on 179 attempts. Robert Smith is the only other OSU frosh to rush for more than 1,000 yards, finishing the 1990 campaign with 1,126 yards, meaning Clarett needs 56 yards to set the OSU freshman rushing record.
Ohio State’s Top Five Freshmen Rushers Name Yards Year Games Robert Smith 1,126 1990 12 Maurice Clarett 1,071 2002 9 Archie Griffin 872 1972 11 Jaymes Bryant 656 1986 13 Dean Sensanbaugher 633 1943 9
Clarett Eighth OSU Frosh To Top The Century Mark
Freshman Maurice Clarett, last year’s USA Today high school offensive player of the year, rushed for 230 yards in OSU’s win over Washington State. That is the sixth best single-game showing in Ohio State annals. Other notable rushing performances by freshman running backs at Ohio State include:
1943 Dean Sensenbaugher 33 att./170 yds. vs. Illinois 1972 Archie Griffin 27 att./239 yds. vs. UNC 1972 Archie Griffin 27 att./192 yds. vs. Illinois 1985 Vince Workman 15 att./100 yds. at Illinois 1986 Jaymes Bryant 19 att./145 yds. vs. Utah 1989 Dante Lee 24 att./157 yds. at Northwestern 1990 Robert Smith 23 att./171 yds. at Wisconsin 2001 Lydell Ross 25 att./124 yds. at Indiana
Clarett Finalist for Walter Camp Award
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett is among 10 finalists for the Walter Camp Award, given annually since 1967 to the nation’s outstanding college football player. Named after the founder of modern American football, the award has been won three times by Ohio State players. Archie Griffin claimed the honor in 1974 and ’75 and Eddie George was the 1995 recipient. Clarett has set several Ohio State freshman records this season, including most touchdowns (15) and points (90). He is just 56 yards shy of the freshman rushing record, set by Robert Smith in 1990 with 1,126 yards. Clarett has rushed for 1,071 yards to date.
Buckeye Captains
Strong safety Michael Doss and free safety Donnie Nickey, both seniors, have been selected by their teammates as captains for the 2002 campaign. Doss, a two-time All-American, is in his third year as a starter, while Nickey is in his fourth. Offensive captains are chosen on a game-by-game basis. Junior quarterback Craig Krenzel will serve in that capacity for Michigan. Offensive captains to date have been: Krenzel (Texas Tech and Penn State), Michael Stafford (Kent State), Ben Hartsock (Washington State and Illinois), Ivan Douglas (Cincinnati), Chris Vance (Indiana), Alex Stepanovich (Northwestern and Purdue), Michael Jenkins (San Jose State), Shane Olivea (Wisconsin), Andy Groom and Bryce Bishop (Minnesota).
Ohio State All-Time
Ohio State now has an all-time record of 744-292-53 in this, its 113th season of football. The Buckeyes’ first football team posted a 3-1 record in 1890. Ohio State also has an all-time Big Ten ledger of 407-155-24 since beginning league play in 1913. Since 1960, the Buckeyes have experienced just three losing seasons in Big Ten play (1966, 1988, 1999).
Record Crowd Expected
The current Ohio Stadium record of 105,103, set against Penn State earlier this year, could fall Saturday against Michigan. Through seven home games this year, the Buckeyes have drawn a total of 722,365 fans for an average of 103,195 per game. Given the interest in this week’s game, that average is expected to go up on Saturday.
Freshman Class Has Early Impact
| A.J. Hawk |
Ten members of Ohio State’s highly regarded freshman classhave seen game action in 2002. Maurice Clarett, Tyler Everett, MikeD’Andrea, Nate Salley, Bobby Carpenter, A.J. Hawk, E.J. Underwoodand Mike Kudla all played against Texas Tech in the season opener.Offensive linemen Robbie Sims and Nick Mangold debuted in the KentState game.
All are in the two deep and have played at crunch time. Clarett, when healthy, is the starting tailback. Sims has started three times at left tackle and Underwood twice at corner. Hawk started the Penn State game and had five tackles and an interception (his second of the year) against the Nittany Lions.
Charting OSU’s Assistant Coaches
Mark Dantonio (defensive coordinator), Mel Tucker (defensive secondary), Joe Daniels (quarterbacks and receivers) and Bill Conley (tight ends) are in the press box for the Buckeyes. Jim Bollman (offensive coordinator), Tim Spencer (running backs), Jim Heacock (defensive line), Mark Snyder (linebackers) and Luke Fickell (special teams) are on the sidelines.
The Ohio State-Michigan Series
This will be the 99th meeting between the two schools since the series began in 1897. Michigan leads the rivalry, 56-36-6, and has a 27-19-2 edge in games played in Columbus. The Buckeyes won last year in Ann Arbor, 26-20, snapping a two-game losing streak at the hands of the Wolverines. Michigan won the most recent game in Columbus, prevailing 38-26 in 2000. Ohio State’s last win at home was a 31-16 verdict in 1998.
Michigan dominated the series early on, winning or tying the first 15 games and jumping out to a 19-3-2 advantage. Since 1952, however, the two schools have played to a dead heat at 24-24-2.
Michigan and Ohio State have played continuously since 1918 and have ended the Big Ten season against each another every year since 1935.
The Ohio Stadium dedication game in 1922 was against Michigan. The Michigan Stadium dedication game five years later was against the Buckeyes.
Michigan snapped the Buckeyes’ 17-game Big Ten winning streak in 1976. Ohio State returned the favor in 1998, ending a string of 16-consecutive league wins by the Wolverines.
The rivalry is filled with memorable confrontations and upsets; almost too many to mention. But in recent years, Michigan knocked Ohio State from the unbeaten ranks in 1995 and ’96, while the Buckeyes’ win last year denied the Wolverines a share of the Big Ten title and cost them a BCS bid.
Outstanding individual performances in the series include 313 yards rushing by Michigan tailback Tim Biakabutuka in 1995, and 330 yards passing by Ohio State’s Joe Germaine in 1998.
The Wolverines’ largest margin of victory came in 1902, a resounding 86-0 humbling of the Buckeyes. Ohio State recorded a 50-14 victory in 1968 in Columbus on the way to the Big Ten’s last consensus national championship.
Recapping Last Year’s Game
Ohio State jumped out to a 23-0 lead at halftime and went on to defeat the host Wolverines by a final score of 26-20. The game wasn’t decided, however, until freshman cornerback Dustin Fox picked off his first career interception on the final play of the game.
OSU tailback Jonathan Wells scored on runs of 1, 46 and 11 yards in the first half and had 122 yards rushing at halftime. His first and third scores followed interceptions, and his 46-yard gallop came on fourth-and-one. A Michigan safety with 35 seconds left in the second quarter made it 23-0 at the intermission.
Michigan battled back to cut the deficit to six points with 2:26 to play, but could get no closer.
The Buckeyes played the second half without Wells, who exited early in the third quarter with leg cramps, and without tackle Shane Olivea who suffered a broken ankle in the second quarter.
All-America safety Mike Doss had two interceptions for the OSU defense, which forced five turnovers. John Navarre completed 21 of 47 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Wolverines.
The victory was Ohio State’s first in Ann Arbor since 1987.
Scouting the Wolverines
Michigan improved to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten after beating Wisconsin last Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. The only two blemishes on the Wolverines’ schedule were to resurgent Notre Dame and to Iowa, which lost to Iowa State early in the year. Michigan has since gone unbeaten. Since losing to the Hawkeyes Oct. 19, the Maize and Blue has won its last three games against Michigan State (49-3), Minnesota (41-24) and Wisconsin (21-14). Like Ohio State last week at Illinois, Michigan needed overtime to beat Penn State (27-24). Michigan also has wins against Washington, Western Michigan, Utah, Illinois and Purdue.
Junior quarterback John Navarre has completed nearly 56 percent of his passes (204-of-366) for 20 touchdowns and 2,339 yards, an average of 212.6 per game. His primary target is sophomore receiver Braylon Edwards, who has caught 10 touchdown passes. He has 53 receptions for 818 yards, an average of 74.4 per game. Michigan is averaging 223.6 yards through the air per game (56th nationally), while getting 154.9 yards per game on the ground (53rd nationally). Leading the infantry is junior running back Chris Perry, who has 211 carries for 949 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is averaging 86.3 yards per game. The Wolverines are averaging 378.5 yards (62nd nationally) and 28.5 points per contest (56th nationally).
Defensively, Michigan is giving up 20.1 points (29th nationally) and 340.9 yards per game (40th nationally). Wolverine opponents are averaging 116.2 yards on the ground (26th nationally) and 224.7 yards in the air (68th nationally). The defense has intercepted opposing quarterbacks 15 times and has recovered eight fumbles. The team has 86 tackles-for-loss, including 36 sacks for 217 yards. Senior linebacker Victor Hobson leads the defense with 80 tackles, including 62 solo stops. He has 12 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. He also has an interception and has recovered two fumbles.
Michigan has used three kickers on field goals this season. The trio has combined to make 40 percent (8-of-20) tries this season. Phillip Brabbs is 3-of-9 with a team long of 44 yards. The two other kickers have combined to make 5-of-11. Adam Finley handles punting chores for the Wolverines and has a 42.4-yard average with a long of 54 yards. Julius Curry has returned 21 punts for 227 yards, an average of 10.8 yards return, and has a long of 27 yards. On kickoff returns, Jeremy LeSueur has 23 returns for 524 yards, an average of 22.8 yards per return, and a long of 49 yards. The Wolverines have not returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown, though allowed a 39-yard punt return for a score last Saturday against Wisconsin.
Michigan’s Last Game
Junior quarterback John Navarre threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Braylon Edwards in the third quarter to break a 14-all tie and the Michigan defense held on as the Wolverines beat Wisconsin 21-14 last Saturday in the home finale at Michigan Stadium. Junior running back Chris Perry ran for a career high with 175 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries, marking his third 100-yard game this year. Senior fullback B.J. Askew added 44 yards and one touchdown on just six carries for the Wolverines, who finished with 216 yards on the ground. Michigan held the Badgers to 255 yards of total offense including just 60 through the air and sacked Wisconsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger four times.
Coach Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr, a 1968 graduate of Northern Michigan, where he played for one season after serving as the backup quarterback at Missouri for three years, is in his eighth season as the Michigan head coach. In Ann Arbor, the 57-year-old coach owns a 75-22 record, including a 49-14 mark in the Big Ten. He guided the Wolverines to a perfect 12-0 record and Rose Bowl berth in 1997 and followed that up with two more 10-win seasons before going 9-3 in 2000 and 8-4 a year ago. Michigan has been to a bowl game in each of his seven seasons and are 4-3 in those games. Prior to becoming the head coach for the Wolverines, he served the program for 15 years as an assistant coach, including the last eight years of that time as the defensive coordinator. He served his first seven years at Michigan as the defensive backs coach. An eight-year high school coach, the native of Hawkins County, Tenn., also was an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan and Illinois before moving on to Michigan in 1980.
Opening Day Streak Extended
The opening-day victory over Texas Tech Aug. 24 extended Ohio State’s streak in home openers to 24-consecutive wins, dating back to a 19-0 loss in 1978 at the hands of then-independent Penn State. The Buckeyes have an all-time opening day record of 97-12-4.
Earle Bruce Honored
Former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Bruce, who coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to 1987 and posted a career record of 81-26-1, will be inducted in December in ceremonies in New York City. He will be recognized by school officials and a representative of the NFFHF between quarters of Saturday’s game.
Zwick Honored By NFFCHF
Ohio State freshman quarterback Justin Zwick has been selected as the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s Midwest Region High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2002. He is one of four regional representatives that will be recognized Dec. 10 at the NFFCHF’s annual banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. The award “seeks to honor the nation’s top high school scholar-athletes (from the previous year) who have demonstrated outstanding academic application and performance, superior football performance, and exemplary school leadership and citizenship.” Ohio State’s Maurice Hall was recognized with the same award a year ago.
Media Luncheons
Coach Jim Tressel’s weekly media lunches are held Tuesdays at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Caf©, located at 1421 Olentangy River Rd. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. Coach Tressel will begin his portion of the interview session at 12:15 p.m. There will be no luncheon following the Michigan game.
Tressel Radio Show Every Thursday
The weekly Jim Tressel call-in show airs from noon-1 p.m. Thursdays on WBNS AM (1460) Radio. The show is replayed on Thursday nights around the state.
Game 1 Recap – Texas Tech
Texas Tech 7 0 0 14 – 21 Ohio State 14 7 17 7 – 45
| Maurice Clarett |
Ohio State opened the 2002 campaign Aug. 24 with aconvincing 45-21 victory over Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic. Itwas the earliest season debut for the Buckeyes.
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett started the game and rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Clarett, who scored on runs of 59, 45 and 1 yards, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Clarett had plenty of help from sophomore sidekicks Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross. Hall finished with 74 yards on 13 carries and Ross had 40 yards and two touchdowns to show for his 16 carries.
As a team, the Buckeyes rolled up 317 yards on the ground and finished with 477 yards in total offense. OSU averaged 6.4 yards per carry, did not have a turnover and had just two offensive penalties.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel completed 11 of 14 passes for 118 yards before giving way to backup Scott McMullen, who scored OSU’s sixth rushing touchdown of the day.
The OSU defense, meanwhile, threw up a curtain around Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury finished with 341 yards and three touchdown passes, but much of the yardage and two of the scoring tosses came in the fourth quarter, long after the outcome had been decided.
Led by defensive end Will Smith, the Buckeyes recorded seven sacks and generally harassed Kingsbury all afternoon. Smith had four tackles-for-loss and two of the sacks.
Linebacker Cie Grant was credited with five tackles, including two sacks of his own, and was selected by the OSU coaching staff as the Buckeyes’ defensive player of the game.
The Buckeyes also fared well in the kicking department. Ray Guy Award candidate Andy Groom averaged 48 yards per punt on four kicks and place-kicker Mike Nugent converted all six PATs and hit a career-best 45-yard field goal.
Ohio State had just five penalties on the day, converted 10-of-15 third-down attempts and had the ball for 36 minutes. The Buckeyes were four-of-four in the red zone, while Texas Tech was 0-for-2.
Game 2 Recap – Kent State
Kent State 0 14 0 3 – 17 Ohio State 21 17 3 10 – 51
| Mike Doss |
The Buckeyes jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the end of thefirst quarter and were ahead 38-0 with 7:31 to play in the firsthalf on the way to a 51-17 thrashing of Kent State.
Two of OSU’s first four touchdowns came courtesy of the defense, strong safety Michael Doss and freshman linebacker A.J. Hawk each returning interceptions for scores. Doss made it 14-0 with his 45-yard return and Hawk upped the ante to 38-0 with his 34-yard scamper. Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett tallied the other two OSU scores, the first on a 2-yard run and the latter on a 7-yard pass from Craig Krenzel. It was OSU’s first TD pass of the year.
The Buckeyes rolled up 412 yards in total offense and averaged 8.8 yards per play on the way to topping the 50-point mark for the first time in 73 games. Krenzel completed 12 of 14 passes for 190 yards and backup Scott McMullen hit 7 of 11 for 78 yards and a TD. Sophomore flanker Chris Gamble was on the receiving end of six of those passes and finished with 87 yards receiving. Split end Michael Jenkins had four catches for 89 yards. Eight different receivers had receptions for the Buckeyes, thanks in large part to another stellar effort by the offensive line, which did not allow a sack.
Clarett led the Buckeye ground game with 66 yards on 11 carries. Maurice Hall added 36 yards on just three totes, the first of which was a 28-yard TD, and Lydell Ross had 28 yards on four tries as Ohio State’s posse of running backs again proved to be too much for the opposing defense.
Defensively, tackle Tim Anderson was credited with seven tackles, while ends Will Smith and Darrion Scott and linebacker Robert Reynolds each had five. Scott had two tackles-for-loss and a sack.
Kicker Mike Nugent was again perfect, hitting all three of his field goal attempts and all six of his PAT efforts.
Game 3 Recap – Washington State
Washington St. 7 0 0 0 – 7 Ohio State 3 3 12 7 – 25
| Maurice Clarett |
The Buckeyes trailed 7-6 at the half, but responded with19-unanswered points after intermission to down visiting WashingtonState, 25-7. The victory over the 10th-ranked Cougars was theBuckeyes first win over a Top-10 team since the 1999 Sugar Bowl
Freshman running back Maurice Clarett led the OSU offense by rushing for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Clarett, who carried the ball 31 times, had 194 of his yards in the second half. It was the sixth best rushing effort in OSU history and came despite a first-quarter knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery three days later. The Buckeyes powered through the WSU defense for 292 yards on the ground and finished with 363 yards in total offense.
The OSU defense, meanwhile, pressured Jason Gesser, the Cougars’ talented senior quarterback, into two second-half interceptions and any number of hurried throws. Washington State, which had come into the game averaging more than 440 yards per game (and 40 points), settled for just 280 against Ohio State – 263 passing and 17 on the ground. The Cougars managed just 74 total yards after intermission.
Linebackers Cie Grant (8 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss) and Matt Wilhelm (5 tackles and a momentum shifting interception) led the OSU defense.
Sophomore kicker Mike Nugent continued his brilliant play by drilling field goals of 43, 43 and 45 yards. Those three kicks of more than 40 yards gave Nugent six on the year, an Ohio State single-season record just three games into the season. Additionally, he is just the second Ohio State kicker to kick three field goals of 40 or more yards in a game. The only other was Tom Klaban in 1974 against Michigan.
Game 4 Recap – at Cincinnati
Ohio State 0 7 7 9 – 23 Cincinnati 9 3 7 0 – 19
| Chris Gamble |
Ohio State ran its record to 4-0 with a 23-19 win overCincinnati in a game that was even closer than the final scorewould indicate. Cincinnati led most of the day and was on top 19-17late in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes took the lead for good at23-19 on a 6-yard scamper by quarterback Craig Krenzel at the 3:44mark and then held off a final charge by the Bearcats that endedwith Will Allen’s interception in the end zone with 26 seconds toplay.
The Buckeyes played the game without starting tailback Maurice Clarett who had undergone knee surgery four days earlier. In OSU’s first three games, Clarett, a true freshman, had rushed for 471 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
With Clarett unavailable, sophomore Lydell Ross made his first collegiate start and responded with a career-high 130 yards on 23 carries.
Krenzel also threw for a pair of touchdowns, finding tight end Ben Hartsock from 20 yards out for the Buckeyes’ first score, and later flipping a 5-yard toss to flanker Chris Vance that gave OSU a short-lived 14-12 advantage.
With the Bearcats on top 19-14 – and driving – the game turned around when defensive end Darrion Scott’s jarring hit forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate David Thompson. Ten plays later, Krenzel scored on a roll out that was designed to go to split end Micheal Jenkins.
Senior linebacker Matt Wilhelm led the Buckeyes in tackles with nine, including four tackles-for-loss. The OSU defense stiffened in the late stages of the game, forcing three turnovers (two picks and a fumble recovery) on the Bearcats’ last three possessions. Wilhelm deflected the fourth-down pass that was then picked off by Allen. The Buckeyes had eight tackles-for-loss against the Bearcats.
The game marked the Buckeyes’ first road appearance against an Ohio team since 1934.
Game 5 Recap — Indiana
Indiana 0 10 0 7 – 17 Ohio State 7 14 17 7 – 45
| Maurice Clarett |
The Buckeye opened their Big Ten season with a 45-17 winover visiting Indiana. Ohio State took control early, jumping outto a 21-10 lead at the half, and then put the game away by scoring24-unanswered points after intermission on the way to a 45-10advantage that was just too much for the Hoosiers to overcome.
OSU freshman tailback Maurice Clarett, who sat out the previous week’s game at Cincinnati after undergoing knee surgery, was in top form against the Hoosiers, rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. All three of his TDs came in the first half.
The Buckeyes rushed for 244 yards and passed for 217 more. Quarterback Craig Krenzel completed 11 of his 16 passes, including his final six, for 152 yards and a touchdown, before exiting midway through the third period. Backup signal caller Scott McMullen followed Krenzel’s lead by completing all seven of his tosses for 65 yards and a TD.
Michael Jenkins led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 93 yards and both touchdown catches. The Buckeyes also scored on a beautifully executed 43-yard reverse by Chris Gamble and a career-long 51-yard field goal by Mike Nugent. It was Nugent’s 10th-consecutive make.
The OSU defense limited the Hoosiers to 56 yards rushing and 339 yards in total offense. End Darrion Scott paced the defense with three solos and six assists and had one of the Buckeyes’ three sacks. All-America safety Mike Doss had four solos and two assists and also was credited with a tackle-for-loss. Linebacker Matt Wilhelm continued his stellar play with two tackles-for-loss.
The Buckeyes played the game with a makeshift offensive line necessitated by the loss of injured starters Ivan Douglas and Michael Stafford. With those two sidelined, true freshman Rob Sims started at left tackle for Douglas, while Adrien Clarke took over for Stafford a left guard.
Defensive tackle Tim Anderson also missed the game due to injury.
Game 6 Recap – at Northwestern
Ohio State 0 14 10 3 – 27 Northwestern 6 3 7 0 – 16
| Matt Wilhelm |
Ohio State fell behind 6-0 at the end of the first quarter,but led 14-9 at intermission. The Buckeyes then scored on theirfirst two possessions of the second half to take a 24-9 lead. Butit wasn’t until OSU safety Donnie Nickey recovered a Northwesternfumble in the final minute of play that the Buckeyes couldcelebrate a 27-16 victory.
Ohio State finished the game with 455 yards in total offense, including 285 on the ground, but turned the ball over three times – all on fumbles. The OSU defense gave up 396 yards, including 283 through the air, but came up with a pair of crucial fourth-quarter takeaways.
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett again paced the Ohio State ground attack, this time gaining 140 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 29 carries. Lydell Ross added 83 yards and scored the first OSU TD on a 3-yard run.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel threw for 170 yards and also rushed for a career-high 62. Krenzel hit 11 of his 22 passes, four of which were caught by split end Michael Jenkins.
Linebacker Matt Wilhelm recorded a season-high 15 tackles and All-America safety Michael Doss chipped in with 13.
The Buckeye defense came up with a pair of takeaways on Northwestern’s final two possessions. Linebacker Cie Grant accounted for the first with his first interception of the year. Nickey put the icing on the cake by scooping up a fumble caused by Wilhelm and cornerback Dustin Fox.
Kicker Mike Nugent completed the OSU scoring with a pair of field goals, extending his streak of consecutive makes to 12, the second longest in school history.
Game 7 Recap — San Jose State
San Jose State 0 7 0 0 – 7 Ohio State 7 17 17 9 – 50
| Craig Krenzel |
Riding the hot hand of junior quarterback Craig Krenzel andbuoyed by four defensive takeaways, Ohio State celebratedhomecoming with a 50-7 win over visiting San Jose State.
Krenzel turned in the best performance of his still young career, hitting 11 of 14 passes for a career-high 241 yards and three touchdowns (also a career best) before exiting midway through the third quarter.
Split end Michael Jenkins was on the receiving end of seven of those passes, including a 40-yard touchdown strike at the 8:36 mark of the third period. Krenzel also connected with flanker Chris Vance from 37 yards out and had a 7-yard scoring toss to tailback Maurice Clarett.
Clarett, who also rushed for two touchdowns, had 132 yards on 18 carries to pace the OSU ground game.
On the day, the Buckeyes rolled up a season high 567 yards and averaged 7.9 yards per play. OSU was 7-for-8 in the red zone. Already ahead 24-7 at intermission, the Buckeyes scored on their first three possessions of the second half to put the game on ice.
The Ohio State defense showed its muscle by forcing four fumbles and holding the Spartans to zero rushing yards. SJSU finished with 265 yards passing, but 257 of those yards came in the first half. OSU allowed the Spartans 15 total yards in the second half – 8 passing and 7 rushing.
Dustin Fox had nine tackles for the Buckeyes, along with a fumble recovery and two passes broken up. Matt Wilhelm added six tackles and a forced fumble and Cie Grant two tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble.
Kicker Mike Nugent nailed three field goals to extend his streak of consecutive makes to 15, tying the Ohio State record.
Game 8 Recap – at Wisconsin
Ohio State 10 3 0 6 – 19 Wisconsin 7 7 0 0 – 14
| Mike Nugent |
The Buckeyes survived what could best be described as a10-round slugfest with the Badgers in Camp Randall Stadium.Flanker-turned-cornerback Chris Gamble delivered the knockout punchfor OSU, picking off an interception in the corner of the endzonemidway through the fourth quarter to blunt the Badgers’ finalscoring threat. OSU then held on for a 19-14 victory.
Trailing 14-13 at the half, Ohio State scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 3-yard pass from Craig Krenzel to tight end Ben Hartsock with 9:59 left to play in the game (the try for two failed). The scoring drive, which covered 88 yards in nine plays, was kept alive by a 45-yard pass from Krenzel to a leaping Michael Jenkins who somehow wrestled the ball away from two defenders and then held on to it as he slammed to the turf.
Krenzel, who also completed a 47-yard scoring pass Jenkins on the Buckeyes’ opening possession, threw for 204 yards on the afternoon.
Mike Nugent accounted for the remainder of the OSU scoring with a pair of field goals, stretching his string of consecutive makes to a school record 17.
Freshman workhorse Maurice Clarett led the OSU ground attack with 133 yards on 30 carries. Twenty-eight of those yards came as the Buckeyes ran out the clock on a tension-filled final drive that began on their own 38 with 4:29 to play.
The Ohio State defense, which forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks, had 11 tackles- for-loss and held Wisconsin to zero rushing yards in the fourth period.
Game 9 Recap – Penn State
Penn State 7 0 0 0 – 7 Ohio State 0 3 10 0 – 13
| Chris Gamble |
With sophomore Chris Gamble starting both at flanker andcornerback – the first Ohio State player to start both ways innearly 40 years – the Buckeyes downed visiting Penn State in atitanic defensive struggle 13-7.
The 6-2, 180-pound Gamble recorded the Buckeyes’ only touchdown of the day, returning an interception 40 yards to pay dirt at the start of the third period. That score put OSU on top 10-7, a lead the Buckeyes would never relinquish. It was the third interception of the year for Gamble, who also had a reception on offense and logged a total of 95 plays.
The Buckeyes played the game without starting right tackle Shane Olivea, who underwent an emergency appendectomy. Additionally, starting linebacker Cie Grant missed the game because of an ankle sprain suffered at Wisconsin. To make matters worse, starting tailback Maurice Clarett suffered a stinger on the Buckeyes’ first series and missed the rest of the game.
Freshmen Rob Sims and A. J. Hawk filled in more than adequately for Olivea and Grant, respectively. Sims played the entire game at left tackle (allowing Ivan Douglas to move to the right side in place of Olivea) and Hawk had five tackles and an interception as Grant’s replacement.
With Clarett out of the lineup, sophomores Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall combined for 60 yards at the tailback position and quarterback Craig Krenzel ran for 39.
Buckeye punter Andy Groom played a vital part in the victory with punts of 59 and 55 yards late in the game. A pair of 37-yard field goals by Mike Nugent accounted for the remainder of Ohio State’s scoring.
The OSU defense, which for the third-consecutive week blanked its opponent in the second half, was led by Matt Wilhelm with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Penn State had just 58 yards in the second half and finished the day with 179 yards, well below its season average of 440 per game.
Game 10 Recap – Minnesota
Minnesota 3 0 0 0 – 3 Ohio State 0 10 17 7 – 34
| Darrion Scott |
The Buckeyes trailed 3-0 after the first quarter, but thenscored 34-unanswered points on the way to their 10th victory of theyear.
The Ohio State defense again played superbly, limiting the Minnesota offense to 112 total yards, including just 7 in the second half. The Gophers, who had entered the game averaging 271 yards rushing (sixth nationally), managed just 53 yards against the Buckeyes. Tailback Terry Jackson, the Big Ten’s leading rusher at 128 yards a game, finished a long afternoon with 49 yards on 16 carries. Minnesota’s longest play of the day was 11 yards.
The OSU defense recorded nine tackles-for-loss and kept constant pressure on Minnesota quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq, who managed just 44 yards in total offense and was sacked four times.
Linebacker Matt Wilhelm had a team-leading seven tackles, one more than cornerback Chris Gamble and All-America safety Mike Doss. Tackle Darrion Scott had four tackles and two sacks.
The OSU offense, bolstered by the return of right tackle Shane Olivea, finished with 322 yards on the day, including 178 rushing against the Big Ten’s top statistical defense.
With freshman tailback Maurice Clarett sidelined with a shoulder injury, sophomore Lydell Ross ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Maurice Hall, another sophomore, added 93 yards off the bench, including his second touchdown of the year.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel threw for 128 yards and his 10th touchdown of the year. Krenzel’s scoring strike was a 30-yard pass to flanker Chris Vance. Krenzel also hooked up with split end Michael Jenkins on a 49-yard pass to set up OSU’s first score – the longest pass play of the year for the Buckeyes.
Mike Nugent added a pair of field goals for Ohio State.
Game 11 Recap – at Purdue
Ohio State 0 3 0 7 – 10 Purdue 3 0 0 3 – 6
| Michael Jenkins |
Trailing 6-3 and facing a fourth-and-one with 1:42 to play,the Buckeyes scored on 37-yard pass from Craig Krenzel to MichaelJenkins. Then, as he has made a habit of doing in recent weeks,sophomore Chris Gamble saved the day with a leaping interceptionthat allowed the Buckeyes to run out the clock and escape with a10-6 win.
The Buckeye defense was again superb, holding the Boilers, who had entered the game averaging 29 points a game, to a pair of field goals.
Cornerback Dustin Fox and linebacker Matt Wilhelm also had interceptions for Ohio State. The pick by Fox came in the end zone after Purdue had driven to the OSU 15 on its opening possession. Wilhelm’s diving grab set up Ohio State’s first score, a 22-yard Mike Nugent field goal as time expired in the first half. Nugent’s kick knotted the score at 3-all.
Wilhelm also came up with a big play in the fourth quarter, a tackle-for-loss of Purdue quarterback Brandon Kirsch at the OSU 10-yard line that forced the Boilers to settle for a field goal rather than a touchdown. Wilhelm finished the game with eight tackles, one behind All-America Mike Doss.
The game-winning drive, which covered 46 yards in four plays, was OSU’s longest drive of the day and included a 13-yard completion to tight end Ben Harstock on third down.
The Buckeyes again played most of the game without freshman tailback Maurice Clarett. Clarett had 52 yards on 14 carries before exiting early in the third period with a shoulder injury. The Buckeyes were also without the services of wide receiver Chris Vance, who missed the game to attend his brother’s funeral.
BUCKEYES’ ALL-AMERICA WATCH…
Maurice Clarett (Freshman Tailback)
Sensational freshman, who has taken the college football world by storm. Second in the Big Ten in scoring average (10.0 points a game) and third in average rushing yards per game (119.0). Has recorded six 100-yard games to date, including 230 vs. Washington State. Has set frosh records for TDs (15) and scoring (90 points) and is closing in on OSU frosh rushing record of 1,126. Currently has 1,071 yards. Did not play at Illinois because of a shoulder injury that has greatly limited his playing time the past four games. Hopes to be ready to go this week against Michigan.
Mike Doss (Senior Strong Safety)
Two-time All-American and the leader of the OSU defense. Picked as the Big Ten preseason defensive player of the year. Recorded a season-high 14 tackles at Wisconsin and also had a fumble recovery. Team’s second leading tackler with 85 total stops, just two shy of what he had all of last year. Had a team-best nine tackles at Purdue and has graded out to 85 percent or better in each of the six games. Forty-five-yard pick for score against Kent State was his fourth collegiate touchdown. Team captain and leader, both on and off the field. Recently named as one of the semifinalists for the Thorpe Award.
Chris Gamble (Sophomore Flanker/Cornerback)
Has started the past four games at flanker AND cornerback. The Buckeyes’ second leading receiver with 28 catches for 416 yards and an average of 14.9 yards per catch. Leads the team in interceptions with four, including a 40-yard TD return against Penn State that was the key play in the Buckeyes’ 13-7 victory. All four of his interceptions have been game savers. Also had a 43-yard reverse for a touchdown against Indiana. Averages 23.0 yards per kick return and 9.0 yards per punt return. Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following the Minnesota game, and was nominated too for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors after that game. Played 110 plays at Purdue and 128 at Illinois.
Andy Groom (Senior Punter)
Averages 45.1 yards per punt and leads the Big Ten by a wide margin. Fourth nationally. Put on a brilliant performance at Wisconsin, averaging 50.2 yards per punt on six kicks, including a career best 74-yard boot (the third best single-game effort in OSU annals). Averaged 48.6 yards on five punts against Penn State and had kicks of 59 and 55 yards in the waning stages of the game. Is a former walk-on, who has since been converted to scholarship. Also holds on placements. Selected as the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after the Wisconsin and Penn State games.
Craig Krenzel (Junior Quarterback)
Has helped lead the Buckeyes to their best start ever and has routinely engineered come-from-behind wins to keep OSU unbeaten. Threw the game-winning touchdown pass at Purdue with 1:36 left on the clock. Had a 50- yard touchdown pass at Illinois and a key run in the overtime to set up the winning touchdown. Is 13-1 as a starter dating back to last year (that one loss was against South Carolina in the bowl game when he played in two series). Makes few mistakes, has a strong arm and also is a surprisingly effective runner. Has completed 61.2 percent of his passes and is second in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (seventh nationally). Ran for a career-high 62 yards at Northwestern and has a pair of 29-yard runs to his credit this year. Hit 11 of 14 for 241 yards and 3 TDs against San Jose. Both of the latter were career highs. Heady competitor who keeps his team on the left side of the ledger. Has been an invaluable asset to this team.
Mike Jenkins (Junior Split End)
The Buckeyes leading receiver with 53 receptions for 980 yards and six of the team’s 14 touchdown catches. Has caught at least one pass in 24-consecutive games. Had five receptions this at Purdue, including a 37-yard touchdown grab with 1:36 to play in a thrilling 10-6 win. Followed that up with six catches for 147 yards at Illinois, including a 50-yard TD. Also topped the 100-yard mark in receiving against San Jose State and Wisconsin. Had a touchdown catch of 47 yards at Wisconsin and another grab of 45 yards that kept the game-winning scoring drive alive. Has speed, great hands and, at 6-5, is able to go up and get the ball. Is also surprisingly physical and able to fight for extra yards after being hit by a defender. Also blocked a punt at Purdue. Has surpassed his reception total of a year ago, and needs 9 yards to better last season’s yardage total of 988.
Mike Nugent (Sophomore Kicker)
One of three finalists for the Lou Groza award. Has set numerous school records this year, including the mark for most 40-yard field goals in a season with nine. Hit three from 40 or more against Washington State to tie a school record. Hit a career long 51-yard shot against Indiana. Made his first 21 field goals this year to establish an OSU record of 22 in a row dating back to last year. Has a record 15 consecutive makes in Ohio Stadium this year. School record 24 field goals this year in 26 attempts. Leads the team in scoring with 111 points, the most ever by an OSU kicker. Has made at least one field goal in every game this year.
Shane Olivea (Junior Offensive Tackle)
Ohio State’s top offensive lineman. Big, strong and quick. Has unbelievable power and is playing his best football this season. Is a superb pass blocker. Sat out the SJSU game with an injury, but returned to the lineup at Wisconsin. Missed the Penn State game after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix, but started the Minnesota game and played the entire game.
Darrion Scott (Junior Defensive End)
Has great strength, quickness and has demonstrated a penchant for being able to make big plays. His hits on Washington St. quarterback Jason Gesser, Cincinnati’s Gino Guidugli and most recently Minnesota’s Asad Abdul- Khaliq, are the stuff that highlight films are made of. Has 41 tackles, including a team-high 7.5 sacks.
Will Smith (Junior Defensive End)
Sensational football player who is almost impossible to block because of his combination of size, power, quickness and savvy. Has 48 tackles on the year, including 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. Is capable of wreaking havoc once he gets into the other team’s backfield. Had six tackles, including two for loss and a sack, at Illinois.
Matt Wilhelm (Senior Linebacker)
Named this past week as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss, at Illinois. Is in his third year as the starter in the middle and is playing the best football of his career. Leads the team in total tackles with 96 and in solos with 63, both career highs. Also has a team-best 15.5 tackles for loss. Recorded a season-high 15 tackles in the win at Northwestern. Forced a fumble against Penn State and was the Buckeyes’ leading tackler with eight total stops. Had a team-high seven tackles in the win over Minnesota. Key interception and tackle for loss in win at Purdue.
