Reliving Ohio State's major upset over the #1 Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 National Championship.
The stage is set for a rematch that is going to take many Buckeye fans, or just football fans in general, back to one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football.
This piece was initially going to be a look back at the entire series between the Buckeyes and the Hurricanes, but after one minute of research, it is clear that this rivalry is hardly a series. These two teams have only played each other four other times, with each team possessing two wins, and this will be the rubber match in the series.
Three of the games were insignificant, while the fourth is likely one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football.
Think back to what you were doing in January of 2003. I myself was getting ready for my sixth birthday, just starting to fall in love with the game of football.
The Ohio State Buckeyes hustled their way to a 12-0 regular season record. They were not a dominant team by any stretch of the imagination. They had six wins by 7 or fewer points, including a four-point win over Cincinatti and a 7-6 win over Purdue. If you don't remember that game, search "Holy Buckeye" and enjoy.
The other side of the field couldn't have been more different of a vibe. The Hurricanes wrapped up a perfect season to extend their win streak to 34 games. Some of the players on their roster were Sean Taylor, Andre Johnson, Jonothan Vilma, Antrel Rolle, Roscoe Parrish, and Willis McGahee, to name a few.
Miami came into the National Championship game as 11.5-point favorites, ready to hoist the trophy.
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The first quarter was highlighted by a touchdown connection from quarterback Ken Dorsey to Roscoe Parrish. The Buckeyes only ran four plays in the quarter that resulted in a punt and an interception by Taylor.
It was a horrible start for Ohio State, but the Buckeyes were still alive.
The second quarter was when the Buckeyes started to get some life. Cornerback Dustin Fox intercepted a Dorsey pass and set the Buckeyes up near the Miami 35 with a chance to get on the board. Ohio State was in range for a field goal, but decided to fake the kick and the attempt was spoiled.
For a second straight drive, the Buckeyes intercepted Dorsey; this time, it was Mike Doss who stole the football away from the Hurricanes.
The massive turnover sparked Ohio State, as it set the Buckeyes up at the Miami 17 yard line, where Craig Krenzel and the Buckeyes had a touchdown on their mind. On 4th and 1 from the two-yard line, Ohio State kept it in the hands of Krenzel, who took the ball over the goal line to tie up the game at seven.
The Buckeyes were believing they could get the win as on the first play of the ensuing possession, Dorsey was sacked, and he fumbled the football. Darrion Scott recovered the football and gave it back to the Buckeyes at the 14-yard line. Two plays later, Maurice Clarett scampered seven yards for the Buckeyes' touchdown to give them the lead heading into half, 14-7.
Ohio State kept its foot on the gas when it came out of the halftime locker room. In the third quarter, Krenzel hooked up with wide receiver Chris Gamble for a 57-yard completion, setting the Buckeyes up at the 6-yard line.
Then, one of the greatest plays in history happened.
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Krenzel was picked off in the endzone by Sean Taylor, and on the return, Taylor was chased down by Clarett. Clarett didn't just make the tackle; he stripped the ball from Taylor and got it back for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes would capitalize with a field goal, extending their lead to 10 points.
Miami responded with a touchdown of their own as McGahee took the ball nine yards for a score, cutting the lead to 17-14 heading to the fourth quarter.
Just when fans believed that the game couldn't be more exciting, the fourth quarter was truly chaotic.
It began with McGahee suffering a horrific leg injury where he tore all three ligaments in his knee, which had his career in serious doubt.
A few plays after the injury, the Hurricanes had a chance to tie the football game up with a 57-yard field goal that was pushed wide right. On the ensuing Buckeyes' possession, Ohio State had its opportunity to extend its lead to six points, and Mike Nugent pushed a 42-yard attempt wide right, eliminating the Buckeyes' chances of extending their lead.
A forced fumble by Fox on the next Miami drive gave Ohio State the football back with a chance to shut the game down. Unfortunately, they were unable to run the clock out, and were forced to punt it back to Miami with just over two minutes to go.
Miami wasted no time. Parrish got the return and brought it back 50 yards, setting the Hurricanes up at the Ohio State 26-yard line. Miami was unable to do anything, as the offense went three and out and took a timeout with just 3 seconds left in the game. They proceeded to nail a 40-yard kick, tying the game at 17.
Overtime began with Miami having the football. They went easily with a couple of big plays, capping their attempt off with a 7-yard touchdown connection from Dorsey to Kellen Winslow Jr. to take a 24-17 lead.
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Ohio State's possession was headlined by a 4th and 3 where Krenzel targeted Michael Jenkins for an incomplete pass, and the game was believed to be over. The Hurricanes stormed the field, but a flag flew in late, and a defensive pass interference kept Ohio State alive. Krenzel carried the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown, keeping his squad in the game.
The second overtime period was very little drama for the Buckeyes' offense. They needed just five plays to go 25 yards, capped off with a Clarett five-yard touchdown, giving Ohio State the 31-24 lead.
Miami got the football, needing a touchdown to tie the football game. The Hurricanes needed a couple of plays to move the ball down into a goal-to-go situation. They moved it all the way down to the one yard line, and with a 4th and goal from the 1, the Buckeyes made history. Dorsey dropped back to pass and was hit by linebacker Cie Grant and the ball fell to the ground incomplete.
Ohio State defeated the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes as 11.5 underdogs.
An unbelievable football game that catapulted the Buckeyes into the 2000s and set up Ohio State with decades more of success.