2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football
Fiesta Bowl Champions
Fiesta Bowl, W 35–28 vs. Kansas State
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 4
AP	No. 4
2003 record	11–2 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	Jim Tressel
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Mark Dantonio
Base defense	4-3
Captain	Tim Anderson
Captain	Michael Jenkins
Captain	Craig Krenzel
Captain	Will Smith
Home stadium	Ohio Stadium (Capacity: 101,568, grass)
Seasons

2003 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
#6/7 Michigan †		7	–	1					10	–	3
#4/4 Ohio State ‡		6	–	2					11	–	2
#18/19 Purdue		6	–	2					9	–	4
#8/8 Iowa		5	–	3					10	–	3
#20/17 Minnesota		5	–	3					10	–	3
Michigan State		5	–	3					8	–	5
Wisconsin		4	–	4					7	–	6
Northwestern		4	–	4					6	–	7
Penn State		0*	–	7					0*	–	9
Indiana		1	–	7					2	–	10
Illinois		0	–	8					1	–	11
† – BCS representative as champion ‡ – BCS at-large representative *All wins for Penn State (3-9, 1-7) vacated due to scandal. Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll

The 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11–2 and placed second in the Big Ten with conference record of 6–2. The Buckeyes concluded their season with a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30*	8:00 PM	#17 Washington	#2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 28–9	105,078
September 6*	12:00 PM	San Diego State	#2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ESPN+	W 16–13	104,433
September 13*	12:00 PM	#24 NC State	#2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 44–38 3OT	104,890
September 20*	12:00 PM	Bowling Green	#5	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ESPN+	W 24–17	104,358
September 27	12:00 PM	Northwestern	#4	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ESPN2	W 20–0	104,680
October 11	9:00 PM	at #22 Wisconsin	#3	Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI	ESPN	L 10–17	79,793
October 18	3:30 PM	#9 Iowa	#8	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 19–10	105,044
October 25	12:00 PM	at Indiana	#8	Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN	ESPN	W 35–6	51,240
November 1	3:30 PM	at Penn State	#8	Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA	ABC	W 21–20	108,276
November 8	12:00 PM	#14 Michigan State	#7	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 33–23	105,194
November 15	3:30 PM	#10 Purdue	#4	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 16–13 OT	105,286
November 22	12:00 PM	at #5 Michigan	#4	Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI (The Game)	ABC	L 21–35	112,118
January 2*	8:15 PM	vs. #10 Kansas State	#7	Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl)	ABC	W 35–28	73,425
*Non-Conference Game. †Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.

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 - Speical 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

by Quarter 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 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 left 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 12-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 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 this, 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 marching until OSU cornerback Chris Gamble tipped a pass to Safety Will Allen, who went 100 yards coast-to-coast in setting 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

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total North Carolina St 0 7 0 17 7 31 Ohio St 14 0 3 7 7 31 Date: September 13 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST 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, and this time it was the high powered offense of #22/24 ranked NC State. Questions floating around Columbus during the week had presided over the ineptitude of the Ohio State Offense. Senior QB Craig Krenzel had only completed 5 of 20 passes the previous week, 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 Jericho 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 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. All American Will Allen recovered the ball on the 4-yard line, and Lydell Ross punched it in 3 plays later from 2 yards out, making it 14–0 with 2:47 left in the first quarter. Though the first quarter, NC State had managed just 5 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. 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 untracked; 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 Ohio State’s third touchdown of the day. With 11:26 left, the Wolfpack's time seemed to be running out. “The Chest” Chuck Amato had other ideas however, and two minutes later Ohio State turned the ball over. NC State would rip off 17 straight points, to tie it with 21 seconds remaining!

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. Freshman tight end Ryan Hamby first receiving touchdown as a Buckeye would bring the Buckeyes even at 38-all. “Mr. Clutch” Michael Jenkins caught a 7 yard bullet Krenzel squeezed between 2 N.C. State defenders to give OSU a 44–38 lead, after OSU’s two-point conversion was swatted down. N.C. State would march up to the 4 yard line, where some curious play calling began.

On first down from the 4, 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 to the spinning running back placed the tailback firmly on his butt, inches from the goal line. It was as close as you could get, but once again, Will Allen, as he would do so many times during his Buckeye career, preserved Ohio Stat’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 onside kick. A field goal at the end of that drive had OSU fans on the edge of their seats. OSU recovered but failed to run out the clock. It wouldn’t be until who-else-but Will Allen intercepted Harris final pass that the fans could relax. Ohio State had scored their 4th win of the season, and 18th straight.

Purdue

by Quarter 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 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

by Quarter 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 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

by Quarter 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 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