OSU vs Penn State 1995

by Robert Stevenson

Lions Tamed

It wasn't the 77-0 blow-out payback the Nitwit Leons deserved for what they did to OSU last year, but the 28-25 victory not only kept alive hope for a national championship, it beat the two-point pregame spread out of Las Vegas. Bucks are 5-0 beating the odds this year. Like the Notre Dame game, the Buckeyes built another double-digit deficit before storming back to win.

"We took their best shot," Coach Cooper told the Quarterback Club. "Penn State played us a lot harder against than they did against Wisconsin two weeks ago. They were backed into a corner and needed a win against us to have a chance at the Rose Bowl." Cooper added he was proud of they way the Buckeyes held together after being down ten points.

The coach singled-out Rickey Dudley as the player who really saved the game, especially the third down catch in a crowd for 32 yards to the PSU 18 in the final touchdown drive. One reporter described it as "Times Square traffic." Actually there was a linebacker and two safety's surrounding Dudley. Sometimes jeered for dropping basketballs, Rickey held onto this oblong one despite three simultaneous hits as he caught it. Dudley and Gluefingers Glenn were named the offensive players of the game, outside linebacker Ryan Miller was named defensive player and punter Brent Bartholomew from the kicking squad was recognized.

Although Heisman-hopeful Eddie George fumbled for the first time this season, he hung onto the ball during the six-yard, go-ahead TD plunge with 1:42 remaining, giving him 105-yards rushing on the day. EG also snagged five passes for 38 yards. Glenn had his usual nine receptions, 175 yards, 2 TD’s. Yawn. One of these days Terry will have a REALLY big game... thousand yards or something

State Penn's kicker was able to kick-off into the endzone consistently, and OSU started on the 20-yardline every time they received. On the other hand, Mike Malfatt kicked it just shy of the endzone, and PSU started from the 17-yardline (on average) due to great downfield coverage.

Although the defense looked somewhat flimsy during the first half, they rose to the occasion when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, holding PSU to three-and-out on their last three possessions. It gave the offense time to score and then preserve the win. PSU's final possession was actually four-and out.
Cooper was pleased that Joe 'Grand' Pa had to use freshman running back Curtis Enis, who carried 25 times for a team-leading 146 yards. "It helps recruiting when we can tell a young running back that our best runner is a senior this year and Penn St's is a freshman, because they'll have a better chance of playing sooner at Ohio State," he explained.

Injuries coming out of the game are a concern, and at least one player, Juan Porter, will probably not play this week. LaShun Daniels, Rob Kelly and Shawn Springs all suffered knee or ankle injuries, and the cheap artificial turf at Camp Randall Stadium will be extra-tough for them to play on.

Badgers? Badgers?? We don't need no stinking Badgers!!!

The Cheese-breaths held opponents to under 100 yards rushing the last three weeks, and their main running back, Somthin McCullough, is pretty Gouda. He carries 20-25 times a game and averages 5-yards a slice, with over 600 yards total so far this season. The Cheddar-head offensive tackles are bigger than Orlando Pace and Eric Gohlstin, and Coop expects them to run the ball right at us. Their quarterback is Extra-Sharp, and on a pace to break the Big Ten record for efficiency. He's not really a threat to go for the deep fondue, but he is very accurate with short passes and they have several plays where
five or six receivers go out. On the bright side, their secondary plays more like Swiss cheese, so look for Hoying to have another outstanding day in the pocket. The Buckeyes should make saginaki on Saturday (that's fried keserri cheese, a Greek specialty).

Coop finished-up saying this group of Buckeyes has the best work ethic he's seen. Rickey Dudley was in the film room at 9 am this morning, as were many other players, even though they don't have to be there. For Dudley, who now has 14 catches for 208 yards, the extra work is paying off. Cooper predicted Rickey will one-day be a "Bigtime tight end in the NFL." Last week Hall of Fame tight end Kellon Winslow from the NFL
Players Association visited the team. He talked to the players about dealing
with agents and also attended the Penn State game. After the game Winslow went into the locker room and talked to Dudley.

Bowl picture preview. Since OSU doesn't play Northwestern this year, it's possible that OSU & NW could both be undefeated in the Big Ten. Recall that Velveeta-land got to go to the Rose Bowl in 1993, when they tied OSU as Conference Champs, since OSU had gone to the Rose Bowl more recently. Luckily the first tie-breaker is season record, so NW's loss to Miami, O. would put the Buckeyes in Pasadena, should they tie Conference.
Whew! For a second the Holiday Bowl flashed before my eyes!

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