2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

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Ranking
Coaches	No. 4
AP	No. 4

2003 Big Ten Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 6 Michigan $		7	–	1					10	–	3
No. 4 Ohio State %		6	–	2					11	–	2
No. 18 Purdue		6	–	2					9	–	4
No. 8 Iowa		5	–	3					10	–	3
No. 20 Minnesota		5	–	3					10	–	3
Michigan State		5	–	3					8	–	5
Wisconsin		4	–	4					7	–	6
Northwestern		4	–	4					6	–	7
Penn State		1	–	7					3	–	9
Indiana		1	–	7					2	–	10
Illinois		0	–	8					1	–	11
% – BCS at-large representative $ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with an overall record of 11–2 and placed second in the Big Ten Conference with mark of 6–2. The Buckeyes concluded their season with a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Schedule

August 308:00 PMNo. 17 Washington*No. 2

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ABCW 28–9 105,078 September 612:00 PMSan Diego State*No. 2

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ESPN+W 16–13 104,433 September 1312:00 PMNo. 24 NC State*No. 2

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ABCW 44–38 ^3OT104,890 September 2012:00 PMBowling Green*No. 5

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ESPN+W 24–17 104,358 September 2712:00 PMNorthwesternNo. 4

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ESPN2W 20–0 104,680 October 119:00 PMat No. 22 WisconsinNo. 3

• Camp Randall Stadium
• Madison, WI

ESPNL 10–17 79,793 October 183:30 PMNo. 9 IowaNo. 8

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ABCW 19–10 105,044 October 2512:00 PMat IndianaNo. 8

• Memorial Stadium
• Bloomington, IN

ESPNW 35–6 51,240 November 13:30 PMat Penn StateNo. 8

• Beaver Stadium
• University Park, PA

ABCW 21–20 108,276 November 812:00 PMNo. 14 Michigan StateNo. 7

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ABCW 33–23 105,194 November 153:30 PMNo. 10 PurdueNo. 4

• Ohio Stadium
• Columbus, OH

ABCW 16–13 ^OT105,286 November 2212:00 PMat No. 5 MichiganNo. 4

• Michigan Stadium
• Ann Arbor, MI (The Game)

ABCL 21–35 112,118 January 28:15 PMvs. No. 10 Kansas State*No. 7

• Sun Devil Stadium
• Tempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl)

ABCW 35–28 73,425

Coaching staff

• Jim Tressel - Head Coach - 3rd year
• Jim Bollman - Offensive Line/OC (3rd year)
• Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks (3rd year)
• Mark Dantonio - Defensive Coordinator (3rd year)
• Luke Fickell - Special Teams (2nd year)
• Jim Heacock - Defensive Line (9th year)
• Mark Snyder - Defensive Linebackers (3rd year)
• Tim Spencer - Running Backs (10th year)
• Mel Tucker - Defensive Backs (3rd year)

• Bob Tucker - Director of Football Operations (9th year)
• Dick Tressel - Associate Director of Football Operations (3rd year)
• Bill Conley - Recruiting Coordinator (16th year)

Game summaries

Washington Huskies

1 2 3 4 Total Washington 0 0 3 6 9 • Ohio State 14 7 7 0 28 Date: August 30 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson (Play-by-play), Dan Fouts (Color) & Todd Harris (Sideline) Source: [1]

Scoring summary 1 8:31 OSU Maurice Hall 2-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 7–0 1 2:51 OSU Craig Krenzel 23-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 14–0 2 0:11 OSU Craig Krenzel 11-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 21–0 3 13:22 WASH Evan Knudson 46-yard field goal OSU 21–3 3 6:06 OSU Lydell Ross 15-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 28–3 4 3:27 WASH Cody Pickett 2-yard run (run failed) OSU 28–9

The 2003 season opened to excitement and to disappointment. Reports surfaced during the preseason that led to star RB Maurice Clarett being suspended indefinitely, and he was the center of attention as ESPN’s College Gameday came to Columbus. A top 20 battle was set to be waged between the #17/19 Washington Huskies and the #2 ranked defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State came in 5–0 in night games in Ohio Stadium; meanwhile Washington was welcoming a new head coach, Keith Gilberston, who was replacing the fired Rick Neuheisel.

The Huskies featured such stars as QB "Cowboy" Cody Pickett, 1st round draft pick Reggie Williams, offensive tackle Khaliff Barnes, and TE Joe Toledo (who would go on to the NFL as an OT). On the defensive side Greg Carothers and Roc Alexander were the big names, but they would be no match for the powerful Ohio State offense.

Maurice Hall scored at the 8:31 mark in the first Quarter to take a 7–0 lead. They built on that lead with a magnificent 28-yard scramble by Craig Krenzel with 2:51 left in the 1st. Ohio state would take a 21–0 lead into halftime, when Craig Krenzel again scrambled 11 yards for a score with 22 seconds remaining.

Washington came out with some renewed vigor to start the 3rd, but only came away with a field goal by Evan Knudson, making it 21–3, with 13:22 left to go in the 3rd. Ohio State wouldn’t slow down however, and junior tailback Lydell Ross scored off a bruising 15-yard run to make it 28–3. Cody Pickett closed out the scoring by rolling out for a 2-yard run, but failing on the 2 point try. The final score was 28–9, and Ohio State was 1–0, and on a fifteen-game winning streak.

San Diego State Aztecs

Week 2 brought the Aztecs to Columbus. The two teams had met in Head Coach Jim Tressel's first season at Ohio State in 2001, a 27–12 victory. This time however, San Diego State's QB Matt Dlugolecki was determined to change the outcome, and got the Aztecs rolling with an 11-yard TD pass to start the attack. The #2 ranked Buckeyes managed to add a field goal to make it 7–3 at the 9:54 mark. The Aztecs were again marching until OSU cornerback Chris Gamble tipped a pass to safety Will Allen, who went 100 yards coast-to-coast in doing so, set the Ohio Stadium record for an interception return, and gave OSU a 10–7 lead. Another Mike Nugent field goal made it 13–7, it would stay that way on to half time.

Once again, Ohio State's opponent came out with new life after half time, and the Aztecs added a field goal early in the 3rd to make it 13–10 Buckeyes. But on a day when the OSU offense couldn't do much of anything, not even registering an offensive touchdown, they were able to tack on another Mike Nugent field goal in the 4th, to take a 16–10 advantage. San Diego State kept up the good fight, making it 16–13, but on the wheels of junior RB Maurice Hall (19 carries - 91 yards), OSU chewed up the clock, and held on for an ugly, 16th straight win.

NC State Wolfpack

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total North Carolina State 0 7 0 17 7 7 0 38 • Ohio State 14 0 3 7 7 7 6 44 Date: September 13 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST TV announcers (ABC): Tim Brant (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Sam Ryan (Sideline) Source: ESPN

Scoring summary 1 4:13 Ohio St Michael Jenkins 44-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) Ohio St 7-0 1 2:47 Ohio St Lydell Ross 2-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) Ohio St 14-0 2 :18 NC State Jerricho Cotchery 11-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) Ohio St 14-7 3 :00 Ohio St Mike Nugent 22-yard field goal Ohio St 17-7 4 11:25 Ohio St Craig Krenzel 6-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) Ohio St 24-7 4 8:26 NC State Jerricho Cotchery 9-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) Ohio St 24-14 4 5:51 NC State Adam Kiker 24-yard field goal Ohio St 24-17 4 :21 NC State T.J. Williams 5-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) Tie 24-24 OT Ohio St Ben Hartsock 10-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) Ohio St 31-24 OT NC State Tramain Hall 17-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) Tie 31-31 2OT NC State T.A. McLendon 2-yard run (Adam Kiker kick) NC State 38-31 2OT Ohio St Ryan Hamby 2-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) Tie 38-38 3OT Ohio St Michael Jenkins 7-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (pass failed) Ohio St 44-38

For the second time in 2003, the 2nd ranked Buckeyes welcomed in a Top 25 team, this time it was the high powered offense of #22/24 ranked North Carolina State. Questions floating around Columbus during the week had presided over the ineptitude of the Ohio State offense. Senior QB Craig Krenzel had completed just 5 of 20 pass attempts the week prior, and OSU had only managed 196 yards.

NC State had a loaded team featuring QB Phillip Rivers (1st Round NFL Draft Pick), RB T. A. McLendon, WR Jerricho Cotchery (draft pick of the New York Jets), and offensive lineman Sean Locklear (selected by the Seattle Seahawks). On defense, though young, DE Mario Williams and DT John McCargo would both go on to be 1st round draft picks, with Williams going #1 overall. This Ohio State squad was loaded with future NFL stars however, and they were ready to prove they were up to task.

NC State started off struggling for every yard, and Ohio State drew first blood. Michael Jenkins got off to a great start, with a 44-yard touchdown reception off of a shallow drag (he ended up with 7 catches for 124 yards and 2 TDs) at the 4:13 mark of the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, the NC State returners collided with each other, and the ball bounced off a helmet of the returner. Will Allen (ho would go on to earn All American status after the season) recovered the ball on the 4-yard line, and Lydell Ross punched it in three plays later from two yards out, making it 14–0 with 2:47 left in the first quarter. Though the first quarter, NC State had managed just five yards off 15 plays. N.C. State finally got their offense untracked thanks to some tough running from the injured McLendon, who was questionable at the start of the game. The drive ended when Jericho Cotchery was wide open on an 11-yard scoring strike from Rivers just before halftime. OSU’s lead shrunk to 14–7.

NC State just couldn’t quite get keep it together, much of the reasoning was thanks to Will Smith and the Buckeye’s defense constantly harassing Rivers. A Wolfpack turnover led to a 22-yard field goal for OSU in the third quarter. Ohio State appeared to be in complete control after Craig Krenzel scrambled 6 yards for OSU's third touchdown of the day. With 11:26 left, the Wolfpack's time seemed to be running out. “The Chest” Chuck Amato (NC State HC) had other ideas however, as NC St. scored on their next 3 possessions. The first came on a 9-yard TD pass from Rivers to Cotchery. Then after A.J. Davis picked off a Krenzel pass, NC St. added a FG to cut it to 24-17 with 5:51 left. The Wolfpack would get the ball back and would complete the comeback with a game-tying 5-yard TD pass from Rivers to T.J. Williams with just 21 seconds left to force OT.

It was the first overtime game in Ohio Stadium, and would set the bar impossibly high for any future overtime contests. Ohio State had first possession, and Krenzel hit sr. tight-end Ben Hartsock for a 10-yard score. Rivers would match the Buckeyes though, with his own 17-yard touchdown pass. The Wolfpack would start off on offense for the next series, and T. A. McLendon took a toss 2 yards to the end-zone to take a 38–31 lead. Now OSU's turn, freshman tight-end Ryan Hamby's first receiving touchdown in his career brought the Buckeyes even at 38-all. Staying with Ohio State, “Mr. Clutch” Michael Jenkins caught a 7-yard TD that was a bullet Krenzel squeezed between 2 N.C. State defenders to give OSU a 44–38 lead. The mandatory two-point conversion try was a swatted down pass, so now N.C. State would have a chance to seal the win. The Wolfpack would march up to the 4-yard line, where some curious play calling began.

On first down from the four, Rivers took it up the middle on a QB sneak, and was stuffed for no gain. A second down pass was broken up by jr. cornerback Chris Gamble, who just barely missed a game clinching pick. In a peculiar move, Rivers again went for a QB sneak from the same formation as their first down play, only to be stuffed again. It was 4th and game from the 4-yard line. NC State ran the same toss McLendon scored on the previous possession, but a bruising shoulder tackle to the spinning running back placed the McClendon firmly on his butt, inches from the goal line. It was as close as you could get, with the referees taking several tense moments to decide whether or not he got in, but once again, Will Allen, as he would do so many times during his Buckeye career, preserved Ohio State’s 17th victory, in what is the longest game in Ohio State history. It took 4 hours and 17 minutes, but after 3 overtime periods, Ohio State 44, North Carolina State 38.

Bowling Green State Falcons

A week 4 showdown was set between the #4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bowling Green State University Falcons. Bowling Green had been built up quite a bit by former Head Coach Urban Meyer, and new Head Coach Gregg Brandon was looking to keep the team on track. With stars such as QB Josh Harris and center Scott Mruczkowski (both of whom would spend time in the NFL); the Falcons were primed to pick apart the Buckeyes. The game also featured two of the Nation’s best kickers in Shaun Suisham (BGSU) and Jr. Mike Nugent (OSU).

Starting QB Craig Krenzel would miss the contest from an elbow injury he suffered against N.C. State, and Sr. Quarterback Scott McMullen of Granvile, OH would lead the team for the first time since 2001 (he played mop up duty for the Bucks in 2002). It would be the Buckeyes striking first as Scott McMullen sent a 7-yard strike to Sr. Drew Carter, and the Buckeyes had a 7–0 lead. Josh Harris matched McMullen’s TD with a 7-yard toss as well. Unfortunately for the Falcons, that would be their only score of the first half.

OSU built up a 17–7 halftime advantage with a 47-yard field goal by Mike Nugent, and added a touchdown after a crushing 33-yard run by Lydell Ross on 4th and 1. Ross and fellow running back Maurice Hall would combine for 201-yards on the day (Hall - 107 yards on 19 carries; Ross - 94 on 22).

Ross scored on a 3-yard run in the 4th, to give the Buckeyes a 24–7 lead, just as they had possessed the week before. And just as the week before, Bowling Green mounted a furious 4th quarter comeback, scoring a TD with 3:25 left to go, and a recovering the onsides kick. A field goal at the end of that drive had OSU fans on the edge of their seats. OSU recovered BG's second onsides kick attempt, but failed to run out the clock. It wouldn’t be until who-else-but safety Will Allen intercepted Harris's final pass that the fans could relax. Ohio State had scored their 4th win of the season, and 18th straight.

Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total Iowa 3 0 0 7 10 • Ohio State 10 0 7 2 19 Date: October 18 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Gary Danielson (Color) & Jack Arute (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 9:56 OHST Mike Nugent 53 yard field goal OHST 3–0 1 9:22 OHST Michael Jenkins 54 yard punt return (Mike Nugent kick) OHST 10–0 1 2:45 IOWA Nate Kaeding 36 yard field goal OHST 10–3 3 7:54 OHST Donte Whitner recovered blocked punt in end zone (Mike Nugent kick) OHST 17–3 4 14:09 IOWA Nate Kaeding 5 yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) OHST 17–10 4 3:03 OHST Safety OHST 19–10

Purdue

1 2 3 4 OT Total Purdue 3 3 0 7 0 13 • Ohio State 0 6 0 7 3 16 Date: November 15 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST TV announcers (ABC): Brad Nessler (Play-by-play), Bob Griese (Color) & Lynn Swann (Sideline) Source: [2]

Scoring summary 1 7:29 PUR Ben Jones 45-yard field goal PUR 3–0 2 14:50 OSU Mike Nugent 26-yard field goal Tied 3–3 2 13:01 PUR Ben Jones 47-yard field goal PUR 6–3 2 2:42 OSU Mike Nugent 52-yard field goal Tied 6–6 4 11:23 OSU Mike Kudla recovered fumble in end zone (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 13–6 4 4:36 PUR Jeord Void 11-yard run (Ben Jones kick) Tied 13–13 OT OSU Mike Nugent 36-yard field goal OSU 16–13

Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total Ohio State 0 7 7 7 21 • Michigan 7 14 7 7 35 Date: November 22 Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson (Play-by-play), Dan Fouts (Color) & Todd Harris (Sideline) Source: [3]

Scoring summary 1 0:39 MICH Steve Breaston 39-yard run (Garrett Rivas kick) MICH 7–0 2 13:33 MICH Braylon Edwards 64-yard pass from John Navarre (Garrett Rivas kick) MICH 14–0 2 5:49 MICH Braylon Edwards 23-yard pass from John Navarre (Garrett Rivas kick) MICH 21–0 2 0:44 OSU Santonio Holmes 8-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) MICH 21–7 3 13:04 MICH Chris Perry 30-yard run (Garrett Rivas kick) MICH 28–7 3 6:55 OSU Santonio Holmes 13-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) MICH 28–14 4 13:53 OSU Lydell Ross 2-yard run (Mike Nugent kick) MICH 28–21 4 7:55 MICH Chris Perry 15-yard run (Garrett Rivas kick) MICH 35–21

Fiesta Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Kansas State 0 7 7 14 28 • Ohio State 14 7 14 0 35 Date: January 2 Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST Television network: ABC Source: [4]

Scoring summary 1 6:41 OSU John Hollins 7-yard blocked punt return (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 7–0 1 2:49 OSU Santonio Holmes 6-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 14–0 2 6:49 OSU Mike Jenkins 17-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 21–0 2 3:01 KSU Darren Sproles 6-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) OSU 21–7 3 8:59 KSU Ell Roberson 14-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) OSU 21–14 3 4:53 OSU Michael Jenkins 8-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 28–14 3 0:37 OSU Santonio Holmes 31-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) OSU 35–14 4 13:25 KSU Ayo Saba 3-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) OSU 35–21 4 2:47 KSU Ell Roberson 1-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) OSU 35–28

2004 NFL draftees

Player	Round	Pick	Position	NFL Club
Will Smith	1	18	Defensive End	New Orleans Saints
Chris Gamble	1	28	Defensive Back	Carolina Panthers
Michael Jenkins	1	29	Wide Receiver	Atlanta Falcons
Ben Hartsock	3	68	Tight End	Indianapolis Colts
Tim Anderson	3	74	Defensive Tackle	Buffalo Bills
B.J. Sander	3	87	Punter	Green Bay Packers
Darrion Scott	3	88	Defensive End	Minnesota Vikings
Alex Stepanovich	4	100	Center	Arizona Cardinals
Will Allen	4	111	Defensive Back	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Craig Krenzel	5	148	Quarterback	Chicago Bears
Drew Carter	5	163	Wide Receiver	Carolina Panthers
Robert Reynolds	5	165	Linebacker	Tennessee Titans
Shane Olivea	7	209	Tackle	San Diego Chargers
Adrien Clarke	7	227	Guard	Philadelphia Eagles