Ohio State Football: All Time Greats, The Post Woody Era.
Those who only know the all time greats by numbers in a record book, may not be aware of what Chris Gamble meant to the 2002 National Champion Buckeyes. But his teammates, as well as others who watched him play, remember Gamble as one of the most talented and versatile players ever to play for Ohio State.
The 2002 Silver Bullets became one of the best defensive units ever at Ohio State. But early in the season they had a weakness. While they had a solid defensive backfield, the Buckeyes were lacking a true shutdown corner. They found one in sophomore wide receiver Chris Gamble.
During team drills the Buckeye coaches would have the wide receivers play defensive back at times. Gamble was dominating everyone in the drills. The coaches thought he was jumping the routes because he knew which play they were going to run. So they tried him with the first team defense to see if that was the case, but it was more of the same. He excelled there as well.
In the fourth game of the season during a hard fought win against the University of Cincinnati Gamble was inserted into the defensive lineup for the first time. On a crucial third down and the Bearcat’s at the Ohio State 29 yard line, Gamble intercepted a pass in the endzone. That was the beginning of things to come as he became an impact player on both sides of the ball, as well as in the return game.
Gamble began playing regularly on the defensive side of the ball the following game against Indiana, but also scored touchdown on a 44 yard reverse while playing wide receiver. And In a five point win over Wisconsin, Gamble intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve the lead.
After that, coach Jim Tressel told the defensive coaches they could have Gamble for as many plays as they needed.
The following game Gamble became the first Buckeye to start on both offense and defense since 1963. He played 89 plays, 51 on defense, 31 on offense and 7 on special teams. With Penn State leading 7-3, Gamble intercepted a pass and weaved his way through defenders scoring the go ahead touchdown in a 13-7 victory.
His performance in all three phases of the game were a big part of Ohio State’s championship season. He had an outstanding junior season as well and he was named to the first team All Big Ten and was a third team All-American.
For his career Chris Gamble caught 40 passes for 609 yards, rushed 6 times for 68 yards, and had 851 yards on punt and kickoff returns. He also had 7 interceptions and 21 pass deflections.The ironic thing is his career numbers would have been better, and he would have received more honors, if he wasn’t so unbelievably talented.
Whenever he needed a breather, he usually got it on the offensive side of the ball which limited his touches both receiving and running the football. As a return man, teams attempted to kick the ball away from him because he was so explosive with the ball in his hands. And quarterbacks didn’t want to throw the ball to his side of the field if they could help it.
Chris Gamble will be remembered as the last two way player for Ohio State, and as being the “iron man” on the 2002 championship team. A player who would often play over 100 plays in a game, and not complain.
From time to time, coach Jim Tressel would ask him how he was holding up. Coach Tressel said Gamble always had the same response, “I’m good coach”. No Chris Gamble, you weren’t just good, you were “great”!
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