I posted this article earlier today, but it went to blog heaven. Apologies to those who already read it.
Let's take a look back at the last time Ohio State played Michigan State on this date.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|
7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
|
3 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 33 |
Background
The Buckeyes entered this game coming off of a 21-20 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley. Ohio State's lone loss of the season came four weeks earlier in Madison when the Buckeyes lost 10-17. That was Ohio State's first loss since the 2001 season.
Michigan State just lost to That Team 20-27 the week prior to this contest. The Spartans were ranked No. 9, but the loss dropped them to No. 14. Michigan State's other loss was a shocking 19-20 defeat to Louisiana Tech.
Players
Craig Krenzel completed 12/23 passes for 213 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. Krenzel also had 33 yards on the ground.
Mike Nugent booted four field goals (44, 24, 42 and 18).
Lydel Ross rushed for 125 yards.
Ryan Hamby, Ben Hartsock and Santonio Holmes had touchdown receptions.
Jeff Smoker completed 35/55 passes for 351 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Smoker set school records for completions (35) and passing attempts (55) in the loss.
Key Play
From an AP report on espn.com:
Michigan State led 7-3 and was moving downfield early in the second period. On second down at the Ohio State 18, Smoker was pressured, underthrowing the ball down the left sideline. Everett picked off the pass at the 6 and streaked past the Buckeyes bench while teammates and coaches cheered him on and waved towels. He brought the ball back 66 yards to the Michigan State 28.
The momentum had abruptly changed.
"That was big. Was it crucial? It really would have given us a boost," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. "Anytime you make a mistake, it's vital -- especially against a team like that."
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel added, "Turnovers are the key to everything. When there's a 70-yard flop on a turnover like that, that's huge."
The Rest Of The Story
The Buckeyes defeated Kyle Orton and Purdue 16-13 in OT the next week before losing to That Team 21-35 in Ann Arbor. That loss was the last time a Tressel coached team would lose to That Team. Ohio State finished the 2003 season with a 35-28 victory over No. 10 Kansas State in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl.
Michigan State lost at Wisconsin the next week. The Spartans lost to Nebraska (3-17) in the Alamo Bowl. John L. Smith won Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2003. He won the honor even though he had a 5-3 conference record and lost 4 of the last five games of the season.
