Sunday, November 19, 2000
Michigan 38, Ohio State 26
Cooper falls to 2-10-1 vs. Wolverines
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS — Though there's nothing ordinary about the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, Saturday's result seemed typical for Buckeyes coach John Cooper, his players and their legion of supporters.
The Wolverines' calm and creativity suggested they, not the erratic Buckeyes, were the home team before a record Ohio Stadium crowd of 98,568 that watched Michigan secure a 38-26 victory and a share of the Big Ten title with Northwestern and Purdue.
Michigan quarterback Drew Henson, the Reds' would-be third-base prospect, might have edged closer to an NFL career by throwing for three touchdowns and running for another.
The decision dropped Cooper's record against the Wolverines to 2-10-1, which clashes with his 111-42-4 mark overall at OSU. The outcome also guaranteed that disciples of the scarlet-and-gray will renew their near-annual cry for Cooper's removal.
“He has three years to go on his contract,” athletic director Andy Geiger said. “I try not to operate that way.”
But Cooper understood few fans would be as understanding as his boss.
“It's probably going to come up in your article,” Cooper told a reporter who asked a question regarding his Wolverine-related woe. “And it should. I can't hide behind it ... My record against Michigan speaks for itself. Obviously, it's awful.”
The 12th-ranked Buckeyes (8-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) will have an opportunity to ease their disappointment when they receive their invitation to either the Outback or Alamo bowls, probably today or Monday. No. 19 Michigan (8-3, 6-2) is likely Citrus Bowl-bound.
Despite the final score, the 97th renewal of this series qualified as a semi-thriller. OSU quarterback Steve Bellisari, who threw three interceptions, completed eight of 14 passes during a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives that trimmed Michigan's lead to 31-26. A punt gave OSU plenty of momentum and the ball at its 9-yard line with 4:14 left.
Bellisari misfired on a deep sideline pattern to Ken-Yon Rambo, who had eluded the secondary. On fourth-and-1 from the 18, Jonathan Wells was stopped for no gain, enabling Michigan to gain possession and score on Henson's 1-yard run.
The Wolverines were as tricky as they were tough. They pulled off two fake field goals, Colerain High School graduate B.J. Askew gained three yards and a first down at Ohio State's 32 on the second fake. That launched Michigan's 17-0 third-quarter surge, that extended its lead to 31-12.
“I think that was a big, big point in the game,” said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
Said Askew, who had to negotiate a field littered with bodies before making the first down by the length of the ball, “I knew I had to get another yard and a half. I had to make sure I didn't jump too high, or else I'd get (knocked back).”
Ohio State initially appeared destined for a better fate as Nate Clements returned the opening kickoff 80 yards, setting up Wells' 11-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring.
But the Buckeyes parlayed an interception and a blocked punt into only three points. Undaunted by the 9-0 deficit and the Buckeyes' incessant blitzing, Henson flipped scoring strikes of 70 yards to Anthony Thomas on a screen pass and 21 and 32 yards to David Terrell.
“I've been telling you all week that I thought he was the best receiver in the league,” Cooper said of Terrell. “I think he showed that today.”
Henson, who batted .172 for the Reds' Double-A Chattanooga affiliate after being acquired in the Denny Neagle trade July 12, completed 14 of 25 passes for 303 yards. Of Henson's ability to withstand Ohio State's rush, Cooper said, “They keep a lot of (blockers) in, and it gives Henson more time to throw.”
That offset a superb effort by Ohio State's rushing defense. The Buckeyes limited Thomas to 72 yards in 29 carries and held the Wolverines to 111 rushing yards overall, below their 233.4 per-game average.
Ultimately, the numbers looked good to the Wolverines, many of whom remembered their 31-16 loss in Columbus two years ago.
“You could hear a pin drop on the bus,” recalled Michigan cornerback Todd Howard. “You want to get that taste out of your mouth.”
Michigan ....... 14 0 17 7—38
Ohio State ....... 9 3 0 14—26
First Quarter
OSU—Wells 11 run (kick failed), 13:03.
OSU—FG Stultz 37, 11:02.
Mich—Thomas 70 pass from Henson (Epstein kick), 9:16.
Mich—Terrell 21 pass from Henson (Epstein kick), 6:14.
Second Quarter
OSU—FG Stultz 26, :00.
Third Quarter
Mich—Terrell 32 pass from Henson (Epstein kick), 10:28.
Mich—FG Epstein 25, 6:07.
Mich—Curry 50 interception return (Epstein kick), 4:15.
Fourth Quarter
OSU—Wells 2 run (Stultz kick), 10:20.
OSU—Rambo 18 pass from Bellisari (Stultz kick), 7:03.
Mich—Henson 1 run (Epstein kick), 1:18.
A—98,568.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Michigan, Thomas 29-60, Bellamy 1-13, Perry 6-13, Navarre 1-5, Askew 1-3, Henson 3-(minus 6), team 2-0. Ohio State, Combs 14-55, Bellisari 10-47, Wells 9-29, Cooper 1-18.
PASSING—Michigan, Henson 14-25-1-303. Ohio State, Bellisari 21-47-3-251, Sander 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Michigan, Terrell 5-99, Walker 5-70, Thomas 2-89, Bell 1-40, Joppru 1-5. Ohio State, Provitt 6-81, Rambo 6-64, Wells 2-34, Carter 2-27, Cacchio 2-20, Sanders 2-19, Combs 1-6.
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Michigan 38, Ohio State 26
