OSU vs Wisconsin 1995

Badgers Stink-up Camp Randall

We didn’t need no stinkin’ Badgers anyway.

Wisconsin stunk-up their own home field Saturday after leading OSU the entire first half. The Choking Cheezeheads were out-scored 20-7 in the final 25 minutes, losing 27-16. Badger bettors also bit the big one, losing to the seven-point spread. Sure-fire, lock-in Heisman-winner Edd-E! George was recognized as the offensive player of the game for his three touchdown runs, but the entire defensive squad was named ‘Player of the Game.’ Defensive Coordinator Bill Young told the Quarterback Club “...overall, without a doubt, it was our best game.” He noted Wisconsin managed only 271 yards and 63 plays after averaging 392 yds/game prior to Saturday. Cheddar-header’s had only one sustained scoring drive all day. Buckeye D collected two interceptions and a blocked field goal. OLB Ryan Miller received the ‘Big Hit’ award, to go along with his nine tackles and a key third-quarter interception. CB Shawn Springs, who sat out practice all week nursing a sore ankle, played most of the game but was not as sharp as usual, making just two tackles. Also gimpy SS Rob Kelly had three tackles and an
assist. The combined teamwork of DE’s Mike Vrable & Matt Finkes, DT Matt
Bonhaus, NG Luke Fickell, LB’s Greg Bellisari, Kevin Johnson and Miller, and
Ty Howard & Anthony Gwinn in the backfield put this game on ice.

In their continuing effort to provide the ‘World’s Most Entertaining Football,’ OSU came out in the first half disguised as the Keystone Kops. TE Rickey Dudley fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Badgers a courtesy field goal and early lead. Then Mike Vrable just missed blocking a punt but still managed to grab the punter’s facemask. WR Dimitrious Stanley bobbled a sure touchdown pass that turned into a Wisconsin interception. FB Nicky Sualua fumbled after a 22-yard run near the end of the first half. It appeared Camp Randall’s “Schlep-Rock Cloud,” (nickname for the
cheese-hex), was going to jinx the Bucks again for the sixth time in their past eight visits. OSU went into half-time trailing 9-7. The only bright spots in the first half were Eddie’s 1-yard TD plunge and the Badger’s bad extra-point attempt.

The comedy continued into the third quarter as Brent Bartholomew lofted a 21-foot punt, as in seven (7)-yards, with the WIND AT HIS BACK! Cooper would later insinuate Brent’s scholarship is now on the bubble. Wisconsin had zero return yards verses 98 for the Bucks. Josh Jackson was named kicking squad player of the game. His 37-yard FG attempt hung-up in the 15 mph wind and fell short, but he did an outstanding job on kick-offs. Regular kicker Mike Malfatt, was left behind in Columbus for breaking training rules.

Terry ‘Gluefingers’ Glenn did make the trip but was double-covered most of the day and limited to a quartet of catches for 55-yards, and one TD. However, the Wisconsin Swisscheese secondary allowed split end Buster Tillman to pull down 6 passes for 91-yards, including four catches coming on third or fourth-down possession plays, keeping drives alive. Buster’s six receptions are one more than his older brother Lawyer had in three seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The elder Tillman was constantly hampered by injuries and caught a career total of five passes for the Dawgs.
Lawyer earned approximately $1 Million per catch. Nice work if you can find it.

The nation’s best lineman, 6’ 7” 330# Orlando Pace put in another sterling performance collecting several pancake blocks (pass the syrup, please) and deflecting a fieldgoal attempt. Coop says Pace would be a certain first round draft pick next spring if he were eligible. (one more year to go) Big O is as quick and agile as any athlete on the field.
Besides playing left offensive tackle, Pace also defends on goal line stands and fieldgoal attempts. Cooper wants to have him play defense in obvious passing situations to rush the quarterback. Recall Orlando played four games for OSU before attending his first class. Coop is sure getting his money’s worth out of Pace.

Orlando’s forte is still offense. Trailing 16-13 in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Joe Hollis abandoned the east-west around the end approach and began moving north and south, up the gut. Eddie rushed six times in the final 35 yards of an 8-play, 46-yard drive, scampering in on third and goal from the one. George doesn’t run behind Orlando Pace. He runs among him.

If not Ryan Miller’s third-quarter interception, the largest play of the game may have been a holding call against Wisconsin on a third-down pass in the fourth-quarter. Wisconsin is the least-penalized team in the Conference, and had only 4 for 46-yards on Saturday. However, tackle Jerry Wunsch was flagged for holding, negating a 16-yard pass that would have been a first down. Instead they had to punt, giving OSU the ball at mid-field. Clinging to a 20-16 lead, Hollis stuck with the sure thing. Eddie plunged for three yards on first down, and most viewers will remember what happened on the next play. Everybody except for perhaps linebacker Pete Monty. A miss-communication on the Badger line left one of the tackles out of position, and Monty was suddenly faced with a barreling Nicky Sualua. “I took on the fullback,” Monty later told the press, “and I went black.” He was knocked-out cold.

Terrible Terry Glenn also threw a big block on their safety, the last man between E! and the E!-Zone. Running Hell-bent for election, George was smokin’ when he crossed the goal line, a 51-yard gallop.

Six and a half minutes remained in the game, and there would be no more scoring. With 1:03 showing on the clock WBNS broadcaster Jeff Logan said he could see a truck pulling up near the sideline. Logan announced it was time to put ‘Critter,’ his hunting dog, into the truck. This hunt was over. Sideline reporter Dom Tiberi then added that Barry Alvarez was getting into the truck, too.

This makes three consecutive games the Bucks have won in the fourth quarter, which puts the spotlight on OSU’s Strength and Conditioning coach, Dave Kennedy. Before coming here in 1989, Kennedy spent seven years as assistant strength coach at Nebraska. He develops an individual program for each member of the football team that focuses on day-to-day improvement. The computerized plan is designed to enhance the mental and physical development of each player, and involves a year-round schedule.

The Buckeye’s sideline poise during the tense second half showed nobody panicked, not players, not coaches. During a televised post-game interview Cooper was asked whether he got nervous in the fourth quarter. He said, “Not at all.” Monday at the Quarterback Club, Cooper was asked about that statement. Cooper said, “I lied.” Coop went on to say, “I am more nervous about this upcoming Purdue game (early line, OSU by 3 Td’s), than any of the six previous games this year.”
hmmm... Wonder if he’s lying about that, too.

Heisman Watch. The October 16 issue of The Sporting News lists Eddie George
and Bobby Hoying among the five leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy.
TSN said this about the Boinger, “If he played for Notre Dame instead of against Notre Dame, Hoying would be the favorite. He’s fearless in the face of a rush. And he threw 15 touchdown passes in his first five games.” Coach Cooper is backing Eddie all the way, saying stuff like, “I’ve never been around a finer person than Eddie George, etc..” Coop responded to a question regarding Terry Glenn’s Heisman chances by noting that Terry had just 14 catches last season. Most Heismanders have had a solid showing in
the year prior to winning. Besides Coop, the local television and radio sports people speak mainly of Eddie when Heisman voting is discussed. Perhaps the logic is to pick one player and fully support him rather than try to push two or three guys and see nobody one win it. When John Hicks finished second in the 1973 Heisman race, Archie Griffin and Randy Gradishar came in 5th & 6th, respectively. It’s a swell problem to have.

Heard any corny World Series/Featherhead jokes? This year Chief Wahoo
takes on Chief Knockahoma. Examples;

Neither team needs to call ahead. Both already have reservations.

Going to the World Series? Watch out, the scalpers are for real this year!
They will rip you off and then rip off your hair.

How do you find your seat in the stadium?
Just follow the arrows.