Ohio State’s best bowl games since 2000
#1 2002 National Championship
In many ways the 2002-3 Fiesta Bowl National Championship game ushered in the latest era of Ohio State football. It was Jim Tressel’s second season of what would become a highly successful run in Columbus. It also set the bar very high for Ohio State being an elite program.
The Miami Hurricanes had gone undefeated for 34 straight games, which included a National Championship run in the previous season. Their roster was loaded with future NFL talent including guys like Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jonathan Vilma, Antrel Rolle and Sean Taylor.
The Buckeyes were not picked by nearly anyone to win the game, and it was supposed to be another cakewalk for the Hurricanes. Ohio State, however, had some play makers of their own.
Freshman running back Maurice Clarett was taking the nation by storm. Quarterback Craig Krenzel was no Heisman-candidate, but did enough to win games. He was armed with a big-time weapon in Michael Jenkins at receiver.
The Ohio State defense was loaded with NFL players as well, including Will Allen and Chris Gamble. Mike Doss was a key leader for the team as well.
Miami and Ohio State battled in a game that could not be decided in regulation, or even in one round of overtime. The Hurricanes thought they had won the game when Krenzel’s pass on 4th down was incomplete to Gamble, who was playing receiver. Miami players and coaches began to celebrate their title, but this all came to a halt when it was realized a penalty flag had been thrown. The referee’s verdict was that Gamble had been interfered with as the ball was thrown, and Ohio State was given another chance with a fresh set of downs. Krenzel sneaked into the end zone on a 1-yard rush, tying the game.
In the second overtime Clarett dove into the end zone to put Ohio State ahead of the Hurricanes. Quarterback Glenn Dorsey threw incomplete on fourth down of the following series and the Buckeyes emerged victorious.
It has really been an impressive run during the past 15 years of Ohio State football. Two national titles and many prominent bowl wins are more than most other schools in the country can say, and Buckeye fans should be proud.