Going Home: OSU offensive lineman Justin Boren began his career at the University of Michigan but when former Head Coach Lloyd Carr resigned, Boren decided to return to his home state of Ohio and play for the Buckeyes. He has no regrets about his decision.
Michigan fans were on former U of M and current OSU offensive lineman Justin Boren. These fans obviously got the last line wrong as Boren came away a winner on Saturday and they did not.
Photo by John Porentas
"I love Ohio State. I've loved it since day one. I wish I had three more years here," said Boren after the Michigan game.
It was Boren's first visit to Michigan Stadium since his transfer, and as you might expect, his welcome was not exactly warm at times.
"There wasn't too much of it on the field, but there was quite a bit coming from the fans," said Boren. "I don't think I can repeat a lot of what was being said."
Boren said he was able to block most of that stuff, but other Buckeyes heard it too.
"There were two fans behind our bench that kept going at him, but from the players, there wasn?t any trash talking until one guy from Michigan at the very end that said some words to him," said fellow offensive lineman Jim Cordle.
Boren had heard some things before the game, but wasn't intimidated in the least.
"I knew there was going to be talking, but I wasn't worried about my safety. I had 70 guys who were going to back me up," he said referring to the OSU travel squad.
At the game's conclusion Boren was actually able to renew acquaintances with some of his former teammates.
"I talked to a couple of guys," he said.
"I don't talk to them regularly but after the game I got to talk to them and they were cool.
"Chad Henne, some of the older guys that I played with that graduated were here and I got to talk to them."
According to OSU center Mike Brewster, Boren never responded to the fans but still got in the last word on his detractors.
"If anything I heard more stuff coming from the stands, but he gets the last laugh," said Brewster.
"He's outright Big Ten champs."