The Ohio State Buckeyes did what they do best Saturday in their 14-9 victory over Michigan.
OSU stayed true to recent form as the team battled the Wolverines down to the wire in a game that will forever be remembered in Ohio Stadium.
As it has been so many times in the historic rivalry between the two schools, the game was left for the taking late in the fourth quarter. Each team put itself in position to win the dramatic struggle, but the side that came out of the war on top would be forced to make the crucial plays when the game was on the line.
The Buckeyes did just as they had in every clutch situation this season and finished one step ahead of the Wolverines for the second consecutive year.
“That’s what I’m happiest about is our guys did what had to be done,” said OSU football coach Jim Tressel. “We have guys who are great leaders and have a passion for the ball. We’ve got a tough, talented, smart bunch of folks that want to achieve.”
At the end of the first half, the OSU defense had been victimized for 211 yards, but found itself trailing by only two points. Known for their ability to make halftime adjustments, the Buckeyes entered the third quarter knowing they would have to produce in order to turn the tide of the game.
“Even though we hadn’t given up a touchdown, we knew our defense was not that type of team,” said senior safety Mike Doss. “I told everyone to lay it all out and leave it all on the field for the next 30 minutes, and every player responded.”
OSU forced the Wolverines to punt on their next three offensive series. The home team needed to get the offense back on the field as soon as possible, Doss said.
“You have to stop a team on third down in order to win a football game,” he said. “The offense needed more opportunities with the ball. Our perseverance and hard work as a defensive unit rose to the challenge.”
The Buckeye offense was then called upon to put together one last game-winning drive. OSU returned to its timely ability to deliver in the clutch and make the big play.
On what turned out to be the defining offensive series, OSU rose above its opponent. After being held to a fourth down situation by the Michigan defense, Craig Krenzel converted a quarterback sneak for a new set of downs to keep the drive alive.
“I told Coach Tressel to give me the ball,” Krenzel said. “I ran into the huddle and told the guys we’re sneaking it and I’m following you. There was never a doubt we wouldn’t get the first.”
The surge continued on the next play from scrimmage as Krenzel hit tailback Maurice Clarett slipping out of the backfield on a wheel route.
“Maurice told me two quarters earlier to call that play because they couldn’t check him,” Tressel said.
Clarett’s instinct panned out as the completion gave OSU a first-and-goal on Michigan’s six-yard line.
Then on second-and-goal, the Buckeyes pulled yet another trick from their hat. Tressel signaled in an option play designed for tailback Maurice Hall to outwit the Wolverines and completely catch the opponent off-guard. It was the first time OSU ran the option this season.
“It’s something we’ve always had as part of a package that became active this week,” Tressel said. “They do a great job on goal line defense. I felt like we needed to do something to block one more guy without having to, and that’s what the option does.”
With the lead in its possession, OSU looked to its defense to come through with one last defensive stand. The unit gave its team one better, producing two stops in the game’s closing minutes.
After Michigan had pushed its way to the OSU 30-yard line, defensive lineman Darrion Scott beat his blocker off the line to sack Wolverine quarterback John Navarre. Navarre coughed up the ball for the game’s first turnover as defensive end Will Smith pounced on it for the Buckeyes.
“We decided it was going to be on us,” Doss said. “All season it has been on the defense to hold it down. When we had to make plays, I think we did.”
Reminiscent of a true rival, Michigan again threatened as the final seconds ticked down. Navarre brought his team back in an attempt to win the game, but OSU responded like it has all year. With one second remaining, Navarre flung a pass headed for receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards appeared to be open to make the grab until Buckeye safety Will Allen jumped in front to make the interception.
The second turnover for the Wolverines was exactly what OSU needed to seal the victory.
“When Will caught that ball it was all locked down,” said safety Donnie Nickey. “There are no words to describe this feeling right now.”
Despite the pressure to convince the critics, the Buckeyes had one more card up their sleeves to squeak out a victory.
According to Clarett, it was just what his team needed to be successful.
“We may not score 50 or hold our opponent to 10 yards, but our offense and defense makes plays when it counts,” Clarett said.
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