The Game: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Michigan – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/19/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
November 19, 1998
Columbus, Ohio – No. 7 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1) vs. No. 11 Michigan (8-2, 7-0)
Game Facts: Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998, Noon EST Ohio Stadium (89,847; Grass), Columbus, Ohio ABC TV
The Broadcasts TV – ABC television will broadcast the game nationally with the announcers to be determined this week.
Radio – Sports Radio 1460 (AM) The Fan and Oldies B97 (97.1 FM). Paul Keels, play-by-play; Jim Lachey, color analyst; Jim Karsatos, sidelines.
Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach John Cooper, Iowa State ’62 OSU Record 95-33-4 (.738), 11th year Career Record 177-73-6 (.706), 22nd year Big Ten Record 61-22-4 (.728) Home Record 55-12-1 (.826) Road Record 40-21-3 (.637) OSU Record Against Michigan 1-8-1 Offensive Coordinator Mike Jacobs Defensive Coordinator Fred Pagac
1998 Schedule & Results Sept. 5 at No. 11 West Virginia W, 34-17 Sept. 12 Toledo W, 49- 0 Sept. 19 No. 21 Missouri W, 35-14 Oct. 3 No. 7 Penn State W, 28- 9 Oct. 10 at Illinois W, 41- 0 Oct. 17 Minnesota W, 45-15 Oct. 24 at Northwestern W, 36-10 Oct. 31 at Indiana W, 38- 7 Nov. 7 Michigan State L, 24-28 Nov. 14 at Iowa W, 45-14 Nov. 21 Michigan Noon (ABC)
THE BIG GAME
Ohio State University and the University of Michigan meet for the 95th time on the football field Saturday, Nov. 21 at Ohio Stadium. A sold-out Ohio Stadium as well as national television and radio audiences will be on hand and tuned in to watch these two gridiron greats battle for the 38th time with Big Ten Conference championship implications on the line. The Buckeyes, bounced from their season-long No. 1 hold on the national rankings with an upsetting loss two weeks ago, enter the contest ranked No. 7 in this week’s Associated Press poll and with overall and Big Ten records of 9-1 and 6-1, respectively. Michigan, a winner of 16 straight Big Ten contests and eight straight games overall, comes in with an AP ranking of No. 11 and with overall and conference records of 8-2 and 7-0 respectively. ABC Television will broadcast the game to a national television audience.
BIG TEN WINNING STREAKS
Michigan’s 16-game Big Ten unbeaten streak is tied for the third-longest in Conference history. Michigan’s 19-game streak (1990-92) and Ohio State’s 17-game winning streak three different times (1954-56, 1967-69 and 1974-76) are the longest in Conference history. Ohio State snapped Michigan’s 15- and 11-game Big Ten winning streaks in 1972 and 1970, respectively. Michigan snapped Ohio State’s Big Ten unbeaten streaks of 17, 16 and 15 games in 1976, 1969 and 1980, respectively.
RADIO COVERAGE
The game will be broadcast around the state on the 73-station Ohio State Buckeyes Radio Sports Network with Sports Radio 1460 (AM) The Fan the flagship station. Calling the action is first-year play-by-play announcer Paul Keels. He is assisted in the broadcast booth by second-year analyst Jim Lachey. Jim Karsatos will provide sideline commentary. The Westwood One Radio Network will broadcast the game nationally.
SENIOR TACKLE
Senior Tackle, a last-practice tradition before the Buckeyes’ last game since 1913 and always prior to the Michigan game since 1935, will take place this year during the last practice prior to Ohio State’s departure for the bowl game. Time and date is still to be determined, but the public will be invited to Ohio Stadium for the event.
GRADISHAR’S “ON-CAMPUS SALUTE”
Buckeye great Randy Gradishar will be honored at halftime of the Michigan game by Ohio State and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Gradishar will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame December 8 in New York City. He is the 17th Buckeye to be enshrined. The two-time OSU All-American and seven-time NFL Pro Bowl pick is also a member of the Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame and the GTE Academic Hall of Fame.
4TH TUNNEL OF PRIDE
Former Buckeyes will form a Tunnel of Pride for the Ohio State seniors and players to run through prior to the game. This is the fourth time for this developing Ohio State tradition. It was first used prior to the 1994 Michigan game (a 22-6 Ohio State win). Former Buckeyes were also brought back prior to the 1995 Notre Dame game (a 45-28 Ohio State win) and prior to the 1996 Michigan game (a 13-9 Michigan win).
SENIORS HONORED
Sixteen Ohio State seniors will make one final rush onto the Ohio Stadium field on Saturday. They are: tri-captains Joe Germaine, Jerry Rudzinski and Antoine Winfield, and Brent Bartholomew, Brooks Burris, Mark Garcia, Kevin Griffin, Jermon Jackson, Kevin Loadman, John Lumpkin, Central McClellion, Dee Miller, Joe Montgomery, Damon Moore, Ashanti Webb and Jeff Wilson.
SENIORS HAVE 41 VICTORIES
Ohio State’s current seniors have a four-year record of 41-7 and have tied Ohio State’s 1996 senior classes’ record for most wins in a four-year period.
RUDZINSKI HONORED BY BURGER KING
Senior finance major Jerry Rudzinski is this week’s Burger King Scholar-Athlete of the Week. Burger King will present Ohio State University’s general scholarship fund with a $10,000 scholarship in Rudzinski’s name. The presentation will take place at halftime of the Ohio State/Army men’s basketball game Sunday, Nov. 22.
OHIO STATE’S NATIONAL RANKINGS
Ohio State, which had tied the 1969 Ohio State team coached by Woody Hayes for the longest stretch as the nation’s No. 1 team – 10 consecutive weeks – is No. 7 in the Associated Press poll and No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes totalled 1,350 points in the AP poll and 1,202 points in the ESPN/USA Today poll. The team moved up one spot in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Three teams with one loss – Florida, Florida State and Texas A&M – are ahead of OSU in the AP poll and two – Florida and Florida State – are ahead in the coaches poll.
OHIO STATE vs. MICHIGAN
The Ohio State/Michigan rivalry, which dates back to 1897, is being contested for the 81st-consecutive season since 1918, the 10th-longest consecutive streak in NCAA Division IA football. Although Michigan owns a 54-34-6 all-time advantage in the series, including a 20-17-1 record in Ohio Stadium, the advantage is much closer since 1918 (42-34-4) and over the last 46 games (1952 to 1997) the series is exactly even: 22-22-2. Michigan has won three straight over Ohio State and it has wins in eight of the last 10 games. The two teams tied in 1992 (13-13 at Ohio Stadium). Ohio State’s last win was a 22-6 decision in 1994 at Ohio Stadium.
MORE OSU/UM RIVALRY TIDBITS
The Ohio State/Michigan game was moved to the final Saturday of the Big Ten season in 1935….The Ohio Stadium dedication game in 1922 was against Michigan. The Michigan Stadium dedication game in 1927 was against Ohio State….For 10-consecutive years between 1972 and 1981, the Ohio State/Michigan game determined which team went to the Rose Bowl….Ohio State has snapped a perfect Big Ten season by Michigan seven times, but not since 1982….the last three games have been decided by eight, four and six points.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP & ROSE BOWL FYI
Michigan can clinch the Big Ten Conference championship outright with a win. Ohio State has to beat Michigan and Wisconsin has to lose to Penn State for the Buckeyes to gain the Rose Bowl invitation as Big Ten co-champion. The Buckeyes have won outright or shared 27 Big Ten championships, two under head coach John Cooper (1993 and 1996).
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
Big games that still carry national significance and will help shape the rest of Ohio State’s season and the upcoming bowl picture include:
Nov. 21 Michigan at Ohio State Penn State at Wisconsin Kentucky at Tennessee Kansas State at Missouri Florida at Florida State USC at UCLA Nov. 27 Texas A&M at Texas Dec. 5 UCLA at Miami Big XII Championship Game SEC Championship Game
OSU AFTER ANOTHER 10-WIN SEASON
Ohio State will be vying for its fourth-consecutive 10-or-more-win season this weekend. Only four other teams had streaks of at least 10 wins in the last three seasons entering the 1998 campaign: Florida, Florida State, Nebraska and Tennessee. Florida State, at 10-1, has already extended its streak. Ohio State is also one of only six teams to have recorded at least 40 wins the last four seasons.
CONSECUTIVE: 10-Win Seasons Rk. School (’98 Record) 10+ Streak 1. Florida State (10-1) 12 Consecutive 2. Nebraska (8-3) 5 Consecutive 3. Florida (9-1) 5 Consecutive 4. Ohio State (9-1) 3 Consecutive Tennessee (9-0) 3 Consecutive
40-WIN Club: The Last Four Years 1. Nebraska 44-5 2. Florida 43-4 3. Florida State 42-5 4. Tennessee 41-5 5. Ohio State 41-7 6. Kansas State 40-6
BUCKEYES BOUNCE BACK
Ohio State bounced back by bouncing Iowa, 45-14, last weekend in Iowa City. Joe Germaine threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, David Boston set the all-time school receiving record of 170 with five catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns, Joe Montgomery bullied his way for 144 rushing yards and the defense recorded a school-record 11 sacks to spark the rout. Ohio State finished with a season-high 627 yards of total offense and the defense held Iowa to 180 total yards, including just 21 net rushing yards.
DEFENSE SETS THREE, TIES ONE RECORD
The Buckeye defense, led by All-Americans Andy Katzenmoyer and Antoine Winfield, set three school records against Iowa and tied another. The records were for sacks (11; breaking the 1991 unit’s mark of 9 vs. Washington State), sack yards (83; breaking the 1989 record of 62 vs. Purdue) and tackles for loss (16; breaking the 1996 mark of 14 vs. Minnesota). The tied record was for most yards lost (93; also by the 1979 team vs. Northwestern).
OSU’S SACK PACK
Na’il Diggs, Rodney Bailey and Matt LaVrar each recorded two sacks vs. Iowa, with Andy Katzenmoyer, Mike Collins, Brent Johnson, David Mitchell and Chris Kirk adding one apiece. Ohio State now has 34 sacks this season with 16 different players contributing. The school record is 41 by the 1996 team.
OFFENSE ADDS TO ITS SEASON RECORDS
The Buckeye offense, led by All-American candidates Joe Germaine and David Boston, added to its school record with the eighth game this season of 500 or more yards of total offense. The 627 yards was the first over 600 for Ohio State since a 602-yard effort vs. Pittsburgh in 1996, it was the most since 1981 (a 637-yard game vs. Northwestern) and it was the sixth-most in school history. Ohio State’s offense is producing 507.7 yards per game (4th nationally) behind nationally ranked passing (11th at 302.4 ypg) and rushing attacks (19th at 205.3 ypg).
DEFENSE AMONG NATION’S BEST
The Buckeyes’ defensive unit has ranked among the nation’s best all season. The Buckeyes rank third nationally in total defense (245.6 yards per game), 1st in rushing defense (73.7 ypg), 2nd in pass efficiency defense (83.9 rating points) and 4th in scoring defense (11.4). The Buckeyes have held eight opponents to less than 80 yards rushing this season, including five of the last six opponents to less than 50 yards rushing. The unit is first in the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency and second in passing yards and scoring defense.
DIGGS THIS
Rising star Na’il Diggs leads the Buckeyes with 67 tackles, including 51 solos, and 14 tackles for loss (with six sacks). His impressive sophomore stats also include an interception, a 47-yard fumble return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and two pass break-ups.
FIELD OF MONTGOMERY’S DREAMS
Joe Montgomery returned to the field of his best effort as a collegian – Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium – and his sequel performance was just as good as the original. Two years ago Montgomery rushed for a career-best 160 yards that was sparked by a 50-yard rush. Saturday, two years and two major knee surgeries later, Montgomery exploded for 144 yards off 12 carries that included a momentum turning 80-yard touchdown rush one play after Iowa had sneaked to a 7-0 lead. The key block was provided by left guard Rob Murphy. “That [TD run] just put the momentum back in our hands,” said quarterback Joe Germaine.
BOSTON IS ALL-TIME RECEIVING LEADER
David Boston broke Cris Carter’s school record for career receptions against Iowa, grabbing five more to increase his career total to 170. Carter had 168. Boston topped 1,000 receiving yards for the season as well, becoming the third Buckeye, after Cris Carter and Terry Glenn, to top 1,000. Boston also added to his school record totals with two more touchdowns (he now has 32) and with his 11th 100-yard receiving game. Boston was named Big Ten Conference co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. His day against Iowa also included three punt returns for 68 yards with a long of 41. That performance moved him into fourth place nationally with a 14.9 per return average.
CONSIDERING GERMAINE
Joe Germaine has thrown himself into Heisman Trophy consideration behind a trio of Ohio State 300-yard passing records with four-consecutive, six this season and seven for his career. His latest 300-yard effort came against Iowa with 319 yards and three touchdowns. Germaine, 10th nationally in passing efficiency (151.5 rating) and 16th in total offense (272.3 yards per game), is putting together potentially an award-winning season statistically with 2,778 passing yards (277.8 per game), 21 touchdown passes, a 60.7 pct. completion rate and only seven interceptions.
WHERE GERMAINE RANKS
In single season records, Joe Germaine ranks 2nd at OSU in passing yards, touchowns and completions. He ranks 4th in career yards (5,818), second in touchdowns (52) and first in completion pct. (60.0).
OHIO STATE’S MAJOR AWARD CANDIDATES
Ohio State’s John Cooper is one of 10 semifinalists for the Football News’ 1998 Coach of the Year Award. Football News also released its 15 semifinalists for its Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards. OSU’s Joe Germaine is among the 15 offensive players chosen and Andy Katzenmoyer and Antoine Winfield are among the 15 defensive players chosen. Katzen-moyer is a finalist for the second year in a row for the Lombardi Award. Germaine is one of five student-athletes named last week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as an early favorite for its 1998 Player of the Year Trophy. Germaine is also a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and he is a top candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award. Winfield, considered the best player in what many call the nation’s best secondary, is a legitimate candidate for the Thorpe Award with 62 tackles and 12 pass break-ups. David Boston is a semifinalist for the Belitnikoff Award.
WILEY TOPS 1,000 RUSHING YARDS
In the wake of tailback teammate Joe Montgomery’s 144-yard day vs. Iowa, starting tailback Michael Wiley cracked 1,000 yards for the season with his 61-yard effort. Wiley, with 1,027 yards, is the 16th OSU back to top 1,000. He is averaging 102.7 ypg (21st nationally).
BIG JOHN’S A BIG TARGET
Tight end John Lumpkin is putting together a fine campaign with 16 receptions for 270 yards (16.9 avg.) with four touchdowns. He had only one catch against Iowa, but backup Steve Wisniewski chipped in with two receptions for 40 yards.
BUCKEYE LEAVES
The offense, the defense and the offensive line earned OSU coaches’ weekly awards…. Against Iowa, 290-pound freshman tackle Mike Collins rumbled 22-yards for a TD with his first career interception…. OSU received 40 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards and two TDs vs. Iowa from its FB tandem of Matt Keller and Jamar Martin….OSU quarterbacks completed passes to 10 different receivers vs. Iowa….The OSU defense has scored five TDs this season and it has allowed just 34 second half points all season….Special teams have scored twice….12 different Buckeyes have interceptions….Ohio State’s three first half TDs vs. Iowa lasted a total of 1 minute 14 seconds….Joe Montgomery’s 80-yard run was the fifth-longest in school history.
PLAYMAKERS
Ohio State had eight rushing or passing plays covering 20 or more yards against Iowa, boosting its big-play total to 65. David Boston has the team lead with 23 plays of 20-or-more yards. Joe Montgomery has the longest play, an 80-yard rush vs. Iowa.
20-YARD RECEPTIONS (45) 23 David Boston – 54TD, 53TD, 44, 39TD, 38, 38, 37, 38TD, 31TD, 30TD, 30, 30, 29, 29, 27, 24, 24, 23, 23, 22, 21,20,20. 10 Dee Miller – 42, 40, 37TD, 34, 33, 33, 32, 29, 21, 20 2 Reggie Germany – 47TD, 37TD. 4 John Lumpkin – 41TD, 35TD, 28, 20 2 Michael Wiley – 35, 20TD 2 Matt Keller – 26, 25 1 Ken-Yon Rambo – 39 1 Steve Wisniewski – 22
20-YARD RUSHES (20) 11 Michael Wiley – 76TD, 59, 40, 37, 36, 29, 29, 28TD, 26, 25, 21TD 7 Joe Montgomery – 80TD, 30, 24, 22, 21, 20, 20 1 Joe Germaine – 22 1 Jonathan Wells – 25 ******************************
THE SCOOP ON COOP
Twelve Buckeyes have been first round NFL draft picks under John Cooper.
THE COACH
John Cooper, now in his 11th season as head coach of the Ohio State University Buckeyes and in his 22nd season overall, is building as fine a collegiate coaching resume as any active coach in the business. Period. And the resume is getting better every year. Cooper, the second-winningest coach in OSU history – behind Woody Hayes’ 205 victories – and with the third-longest coaching tenure behind Hayes (28 seasons) and John W. Wilce (16), has guided four- consecutive Ohio State teams into New Year’s Day bowl games and each of his last three Ohio State teams to at least 10 victories. The former is part of nine-consecutive bowl appearances for the Buckeyes under Cooper. The latter is an accomplishment only three other current head coaches can match (Bobby Bowden at Florida State, Steve Spurrier at Florida and Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee).
THE 1990’s
Cooper’s Buckeyes have won 60 games since 1993 and in the decade of the 1990s, Ohio State has amassed an 83-23-3 record, the sixth-best win total in the decade among all Division IA schools. These streaks of successes has positioned Cooper with an Ohio State record of 95-33-4 and an all-time mark of 177-73-6.
THE AWARDS
Regarding student-athletes, the honors, awards and accomplishments Ohio State student-athletes have garnered under Cooper is matched by no other active coach. Consider, under John Cooper 15 Buckeyes have won first-team All-America honors, 12 have been first-round NFL draft picks, six have won National Football Foundation Scholarships, five have been named first-team Academic All-Americans and eight have won major athletic and academic awards in the last three years alone.
THE MAN
Away from football, Cooper likes any outdoor activities such as golf, fishing and lawn work and hates being confined to a desk and being in the office. As for dining, he says he has never had a bad meal and still loves an old fashioned home-cooked meal of beans, potatoes and cornbread. He enjoys oldies and country music and truly enjoys relaxing with his family.
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MICHIGAN
The most storied rivalry in college football returns to Ohio Stadium with national implications on the line.
MICHIGAN IS COMING TO TOWN
After clinching at least a share of their conference leading 39th Big Ten championship last week, the Michigan Wolverines (8-2, 7-0) return to Ohio Stadium to renew one of the most anticipated college football series in history.
LAST WEEKEND
Michigan ruined Wisconsin’s bid for a national title, pinning the Badgers with their first loss of the season. Two Wolverine running backs rushed for 100-yards in the 27-10 victory in Ann Arbor. Anthony Thomas gained 102 yards on just 13 carries and Clarence Willimas netted 121 yards on 22 attempts against Wisconsin, which entered the game with the nation’s top-rated rush defense. The Wolverines outgained the Badgers 476-190 in the game. “I would’ve never guessed that we’d be able to be that successful,” said Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, who is now 9-0 against teams ranked in the top 10. The UM defense held Wisconsin steamroller Ron Dayne to a season low 53 yards and sacked UW quarterback Mike Samuel four times. Wolverine quarterback Tom Brady completed 15-of-24 passes for 202 yards in the game. He threw for one score and was also picked off once.
NOW ON TRACK
Michigan struggled offensively earlier in the season, averaging only 15 points per game in the month of October. The Wolverines have begun to return to last year’s national championship form over the past two games, however. Thomas (62.9 yards per game) and Williams (59.4 yards per game) anchor a talented UM backfield that is averaging 149 yards per game. Brady has seen the majority of time at quarterback and has connected on 160-of-257 attempts. He owns a 132.58 efficiency rating and has thrown for 11 touchdowns. Tai Streets has been Brady’s favorite target the entire year, and leads the team with 698 yards on 46 receptions. Seven different Michigan receivers have at least 10 catches. The Wolverine offensive line is loaded with experience, led by preseason All-American tackle Jon Jansen (47 career starts). Michigan returns four of the five starting offensive linemen from last season. The unit, which surrendered a league-low 18 sacks last year, has allowed only 13 sacks this season.
RETURNING TALENT
The nation’s top-ranked statistical defense last year returns nine of its 11 starters, led by preseason All-American Sam Sword. Michigan’s leading tackler for the past two seasons, Sword enters this weekend with 96 stops, including nine for losses. All-American strong safety Marcus Ray also returns for the Wolverines and entering the season ranked second only to Sword in active leading career tacklers. UM is surrendering 126.2 rushing yards per game and 146.6 passing yards per contest. The unit has gelled as the season progressed, allowing 28 points per game through the first four contests but just 7.5 PPG in the last six games. Right linebacker James Hall leads the team in sacks with eight, while inside linebacker Dhani Jones is pacing the unit in tackles for loss with 11. Free safety DeWayne Patmon and cornerback William Peterson are tied for the team lead in interceptions with four. The UM defense has been good when it counts, allowing only 20 points in the fourth quarter.
1998 MICHIGAN STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING Att. Yards Avg. TD Anthony Thomas 128 566 4.4 8 Clarence Williams 97 475 4.9 0 Justin Fargas 77 277 3.6 1
PASSING Att. Co. Yds. TD Int. Tom Brady 257 160 1910 11 8
RECEIVING No. Yards Avg. TD Tai Streets 46 698 15.2 8 Marcus Knight 32 470 14.7 1
TACKLES Solo Asst. Tot. Sacks Sam Sword 72 24 96 3 Tommy Hendricks 45 18 63 6 Dhani Jones 34 19 53 3
Facts & Figures Location Ann Arbor, Mich. Enrollment 36,650 President Lee Bollinger Athletic Director Tom Goss Nickname Wolverines Colors Maize and Blue 1998 Record 8-2, 7-0 (Big Ten) Head Coach Lloyd Carr Alma Mater Northern Michigan ’68 Michigan Record 37-10 (fourth year) Career Record 37-10 (fourth year) Record vs. Ohio State 3-0-0 Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord Defensive Coordinator Jim Herrmann Letterman Returning/Lost 48/17 Offensive Starters Returning 6 Defensive Starters Returning 9 Specialists Returning 2 Offensive Formation Multiple Defensive Formation Multiple
1998 Schedule/Results Sept. 5, at Notre Dame L 36-20 Sept. 12, SYRACUSE L 38-28 Sept. 19, EASTERN MICHIGAN W 59-20 Sept. 26, MICHIGAN STATE W 29-17 Oct. 3, at Iowa W 12- 9 Oct. 17, at Northwestern W 12- 6 Oct. 24, INDIANA W 21-10 Oct. 31, at Minnestoa W 15-10 Nov. 7, PENN STATE W 27- 0 Nov. 14, WISCONSIN W 27-10 Nov. 21, at Ohio State Nov. 28, at Hawaii
