Tressels, Fickells, Urbans, Days, Johnsons and Days,

I remember all of it...
 
Art Schlichter passed all over Northwestern.  He was my favorite player.  As a shrine to Art, I made a life-size #10 Ohio State player out of construction paper and hung it in our kids playroom in the basement.  My Aunt Penny gave me a prized possession.  She met Art and asked him to sign something for my brother, Keith, and me.  I still have it.  "Matt & Keith, Good Luck! Art Schlichter"  I bet Art wishes he kept a little bit of that luck. 
 
I was rooting for 100 points; but, the Buckeyes stopped at 70 that day.  The Scarlet and Gray looked immortal.  I watched them on TV every Sunday morning...the condensed, very poor production quality highlight show airing on WOSU PBS.     
 
The weather was perfect...a crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon.  I saw the Ohio State Marching Band, Brutus and the cheerleaders.  I saw Earle Bruce...but I was confused because I thought maybe his real name was "Earle the Squirrel" and he could be seen on Friday afternoons at "Rally in the Alley." 
 
Almost 90,000 people were there.
 
...and I was 7 years old.
 

I went with my dad to my first Ohio State Football game.  It was awesome.  Ohio Stadium was majestic...I instantly loved it!

When Buckeye fans think about historic OSU vs Purdue games, I bet most immediately think of "Holy Buckeye."  
 
I instantly think of the 2012 OSU vs Purdue game.  That Saturday was a biggie.  I took my eldest son, Austin, to his first Buckeye game.  Austin was just about to turn 7.
 

A few days before the game, I wrote down what I was feeling before Austin's first Buckeye game:
 

I think I may be more excited than he is! 
 
I hope I can see the stadium again for the first time with Austin.  
 
I could see him noticing that you can get two different kinds of mustard for your hot dog.   
 
I could see him noticing that there are a lot of stairs up to C-deck...it's possible he'll tell me exactly how many around 11:45am this Saturday.  
 
I could see him noticing that the band members with the big drums would have to be really strong to march around with those.
 
I could see him noticing that they play a lot of his favorite songs over the speakers when play has stopped...and they play them loud.
 
I could see him noticing a t-shirt on some young guy that says "Muck Fichigan" and asking what that means.
 
I could see him noticing that he might be able to run as fast as the Ohio State players if he eats his dinner to grow big and strong...and joins me for a run down the block and back once in a while.
 
I could see him noticing they add 6 points on the scoreboard when Ohio State scores a touchdown and another point when they kick it through the bars...and we'll probably figure out multiples of 7.
 
I could see him noticing that he knows all the words to "Carmen Ohio" -- his lullaby as a baby...and so do 106,000 other people.
 
I could see him noticing some guy walking up and down the stairs yelling something and selling pop.
    
I could see him noticing there were policemen perched at the top of the stadium.
 
I could see him noticing that from our seats you can see the river next to the stadium.
 
It will be an amazing game, just because it will be.
 
I hope Austin notices they ring a bell in the southeast corner of the stadium after a victory when they send us home together.
 

The victory bell rang after that game.  

Some Buckeye fans may remember it. Kenny Guiton's late-game heroics led OSU to a dramatic overtime victory over Purdue that day. 

And, most Ohio State fans probably remember that 2012 season.  OSU went on to win them all.  

Touchdowns:  Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Carnell Tate, Max Klare, Max Klare 

OSU 35 Purdue 3

Go Bucks!  Beat Purdue!  Harry Miller and Eddrick Houston for Heisman!

Stout Pops