THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT OVERTIME THRILLERS IN OHIO STATE FOOTBALL HISTORY
2002: NO. 2 OHIO STATE 31, NO. 1 MIAMI 24 (2OT)
Entering the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, aka the 2002 BCS national championship game, most experts weren't give Ohio State a chance.
The Buckeyes were an 11.5-point underdog to a Miami program sporting a 34-game winning streak but what was supposed to be a coronation for the Hurricanes turned into an improbable national title – Ohio State's first since 1968.
Playing with nothing to lose, the Buckeyes built a 17-7 lead in the third quarter before Miami scored the final 10 points in regulation capped by a Todd Sievers 40-yard field goal to force overtime.
Miami scored a touchdown on the opening possession of overtime and things looked bleak for the Ohio State when Krenzel and company faced a 4th-and-14 but the clutch quarterback would find Michael Jenkins on an out route to keep the game alive before facing another fourth down – this time 4th-and-3 at the Miami 5.
Looking for Chris Gamble in the front right corner of the end zone, Krenzel's pass ricocheted out of bounds and it looked like the game was over before official Terry Porter's pass interference flag finally left his pocket and appropriately extended the game. Three plays later, Krenzel ran up the gut for six, tying the game at 24 apiece.
With Ohio State starting off the second overtime, Maurice Clarett found the end zone on the fifth play of the drive giving the Buckeyes a 31-24 edge, putting all the pressure squarely on Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey.
Matt Wilhelm would plaster Dorsey early on the ensuing possession, injuring his throwing shoulder. Wilhelm's blow caused Dorsey to throw wide on a potential game-tying play before the Hurricanes eventually faced a 4th-and-1 at the 1-yard line.
A Cie Grant blitz pressured Dorsey once more and his desperation heave fell harmlessly to the ground setting off a wild celebration as the Buckeyes captured the national title, much to the dismay of ABC color commentator Dan Fouts.
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...time-thrillers-in-ohio-state-football-history
Just sayin': Check out the article, see "2002: NO.2 OHIO STATE 23, ILLINOIS 19". Had Ohio State not won that game there probably would be no "2003: NO. 2 OHIO STATE 31, NO.1 MIAMI 24 (2OT)".