In case you missed it, ESPN will be replaying the 2003 Fiesta Bowl BCS national championship game Thursday night at 8PM between Ohio State and Miami. It’s a part of a flashback series the sports network giant has rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of you reading this are too young to remember the game, which makes me feel pretty old (hey, today is my birthday after all). Some of us though remember the game very well, almost like it was yesterday. Either way, no matter what era of OSU football you grew up with, you’re no doubt aware of this game as one of the most iconic in Ohio State football history.
In honor of what was billed as an instant classic back in the desert air of that January night, I wanted to share five things I remember about the buildup of the game and what unfolded during the contest.
Next … Ohio State football wasn’t what it is today
A different feel to the Buckeye program
It’s not like Ohio State was ever an average or second-tier program, but it wasn’t always competing for national championships like today. Remember, this game was on the heels of losing to Michigan and spoiling an opportunity at bigger things on what seemed like an annual basis in the 1990’s.
Heck, I had never seen an Ohio State national title in my lifetime at that point. Going into the game, the last title was back in 1968, meaning it had been a 34-year drought. It felt like a magical year, but folks were caught up in the run even more than what happens today.
It seemed surreal, and frankly, in some ways, it kind of ushered the program into what it is today.
Next … Miami seemed unbeatable
Miami’s air of invincibility
As fun and seemingly unthinkable the run Ohio State was on that season, many felt like beating a Miami team that was being proclaimed in the media as perhaps the best ever assembled was a long shot — even for most Buckeye fans.
The ‘Canes had just come off an absolute drubbing of Nebraska the year prior to win the national championship in the Rose Bowl, and there was a core of guys that went on to do some pretty special things in the NFL that were still a part of everything in 2002.
The speed and athleticism of that Miami team was on display all year, and it would take one heck of an effort and gameplan for the Buckeyes to win the game, let alone keep it close. At least that was the thinking.
Next … Ohio State surprised Miami
Ohio State belonged
I remember just hoping that Ohio State could show an ability to play with Miami, and I wasn’t the only one. Remember, the Buckeyes had won so many games that year on the last possession that there was this feeling that the luck would eventually run out. It was battle-tested and knew how to pull out close games, but it had yet to see a team this talented.
Then something happened. The game started and the Ohio State defense took it to Miami early on, and the Hurricanes weren’t ready for it. Frankly, the Buckeyes’ underrated speed and fast-twitch ability on that side of the ball stunned Miami and it had to adjust its gameplan.
It was clear to me and many others that athletically, Ohio State was going to hang, and if it could continue to make life challenging on offense for Miami, a shocker might be in order.
Next … Clutch play after clutch play
So many iconic, resilient plays
For all the good that Ohio State did early on in the game, Miami was too good to just rollover. The ‘Canes began to adjust to the gameplan and flow of the game and had several plays that could have wrestled momentum away.
But just when Miami seemed to make a game-changing play, Ohio State seemed to push back. There was the interception in the end zone by Miami’s Sean Taylor that could have been a game-changer before Maurice Clarett made an all-time play by taking the ball back away on the return. The Buckeyes converted a 4th and 14 in OT after struggling on offense towards the end of the game (against THAT defense). Miami hit a game-tying field goal to send it into OT, but OSU responded.
Time after time, Ohio State answered. Moving the ball on offense against Miami was not easy, but OSU did just enough at just the right time to stay just ahead of a great team all game, all with opportunistic plays that continued into double OT.
Next … Drama and controversy
So … about that pass interference call
I may not be on the same page as many other Buckeye fans, but I am of the belief that Ohio State got a break on that pass interference call that referee Terry Porter threw after eating a sandwich, calling his best friend, then playing a game of solitaire.
To me, it was a touch foul. It looked like wide receiver Chris Gamble could have caught the touchdown, but just missed making a play. I can see how the call was made, but still think it was a big break. That’s me trying to form an unbiased opinion.
But listen, there were a lot of things Miami got away with too. Right before Ohio State punted the ball that set up a big return by the Hurricane’s Devin Hester, Chris Gamble was held, but still caught the ball inbounds to convert a third down. Not only was the penalty not called, but the play was ruled incomplete. Remember, there was no instant replay back then. If Ohio State converts that third down (and it would have), the game is over.
Instead, you got a great return up the right sideline that set up the game-tying field goal. So, Miami fans can still complain all they want — and still do to this day — but the ‘Canes shouldn’t have had that opportunity anyway.
All of it went into a classic knit out of drama, guts, and nerves. Remember to watch it all again tonight at 8PM Eastern on ESPN.
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