Football Flashback: 1996 Buckeye Comeback Over Badgers Keeps Rose Bowl Run Alive – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wisconsin gave the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes all they wanted in an old-fashioned nail biter. Ohio State twice had to rally from four-point deficits against the gritty Badgers.
After Wisconsin had stunned the OSU Homecoming crowd by taking a 14-10 lead on a 36-yard fumble return early in the fourth quarter, split end Dimitrious Stanley scored the game-winning touchdown for the Buckeyes on a 48-yard pass from Joe Germaine with 8:41 to play. David Boston’s 34-yard punt return set up the decisive score.
Germaine, making his first and only appearance of the day in relief of starter Stanley Jackson, needed just four plays to put the Buckeyes back on top.
After two runs by Pepe Pearson netted 10 yards and a first down, Germaine missed Boston on a deep sideline route. On the next play, Stanley caught an 8-yard hitch, received a great block from tight end D.J. Jones and raced untouched to the end zone to give the Buckeyes the 17-14 edge.
Cornerback Antoine Winfield and safety Damon Moore ended the Badgers’ next two possessions with interceptions.
On a day when Ohio State managed just 78 yards rushing, Jackson completed 18 of 25 attempts for 265 yards and Germaine finished 1 for 2 for 48 yards and a score.
Stanley played brilliantly all day, hauling in 10 catches for 199 yards. Both totals counted as career highs and, at the time, served as the third-best effort for receiving yardage in a game. Stanley’s figure now rates fifth all-time.
Defensively, Moore had 19 total tackles, which stood as a record for most from an Ohio State defensive back. Fellow DB, Rob Kelly, notched 14 stops.
