OHIO STATE WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT BIG TEN TITLE

Columbus, Ohio After defeating #10 Iowa 27-24 in overtime, the Ohio State Buckeyes have clinched a spot in the 2010 Rose Bowl.  In a defensive slug fest,

Columbus, Ohio

After defeating #10 Iowa 27-24 in overtime, the Ohio State Buckeyes have clinched a spot in the 2010 Rose Bowl.  In a defensive slug fest, Ohio State FS Anderson Russell made his second interception of the day in overtime giving the Buckeyes the opportunity to win the game on a 39 yard field goal by Devin Barclay.  Ohio State’s defense picked off three passes from Iowa redshirt freshman QB James Vandenberg who started his first game as a college quarterback.     

 

Anderson Russell's OT interception Was the Key Play for the Buckeyes. Photo Courtesy of Bill Marklevits

Pre-season Big Ten Conference media selection as Offensive Player of the Year OSU QB Terrelle Pryor did not turn over the football and completed 14 of 17 passes for 93 yards most of which were short throws.  RB Brandon Saine rushed for a game high 103 yards and two TD’s to lead the Buckeyes offensive attack.  Celebrity recruit, Terrelle Pryor although not spectacular statistically is now 17-3 as the Buckeyes starting QB and can now put a Big Ten championship on his list of accolades.   

 Iowa (9-2, 5-2) showed the heart of a champion storming back from a 14 point fourth quarter deficit to tie the game with 2:42 in regulation after a 10 yard pass from redshirt freshman QB James Vandenberg to big play WR Marvin McNutt.  McNutt who caught the game winning TD pass for the Hawkeyes at Michigan State again came up big for the Hawkeyes in crunch time and was the leading receiver in the game with six catches for 78 yards and two TD’s.   After McNutt tied the game both teams had offensive possessions in regulation but the coaches played it close to the vest sending the game to OT.

With the victory, Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) is assured at least a tie for their fifth straight Big Ten Conference football championship under coach Jim Tressel. A victory next Saturday at slumping Michigan (1-6 in the Big Ten) will give the Buckeyes the outright Big Ten title. Assuming they won’t get the invite to the BCS National Title Game OSU will play in the 2010 Rose Bowl game for the first time under Tressel.

Tressel who is 7-1 all time against Michigan was quick to mention that the Buckeyes have to go on the road “In the Big One” at Ann Arbor next week before they can think about the Rose Bowl.    Tressel himself has not been to a Rose Bowl game in 25 years since he last went as an assistant on Earle Bruce’s staff.   

“It’s been a long time since I have been to the Rose Bowl, there is nothing like It. It is a great feeling. We told our guys they could have three hours to savor the victory and trip to the Rose Bowl but when the clock strikes 12:00 we know what week (Michigan week) it is and that is always exciting.”  

Under Jim Tressel the Buckeyes have been to five straight BCS Bowl games and have played in BCS games in seven of the last eight years.  OSU will look to stop a three game bowl losing streak in Pasadena and for the first time in recent years the opponent will not be USC.