Sunday, January 27, 2002
OSU to play Texas Tech in Pigskin Classic
Bucks will play 13 games in 2002
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Ohio State will play Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic on Aug.24 in Ohio Stadium, according to a published report.
The Columbus Dispatch, quoting unidentified sources, reported Saturday that Ohio State knew last fall it would be the host team for the game and that it was ABC television's wish to have the Buckeyes play a Big 12 Conference opponent.
Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger refused to comment, as did officials from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the sponsor of the game. Geiger said only that the association planned an announcement Monday.
Being in the game would give the Buckeyes 13 regular-season games and eight home games, both for the first time. They also play Sept.21 at Cincinnati, meaning nine of their games will be in Ohio.
Amendments to the NCAA's scheduling rules already allow the Buckeyes to play an unprecedented 12 regular-season games this year and next.
The revised schedule will include an open date between the Texas Tech game and the Sept.7 home game with Kent State. The Buckeyes' other home games are Washington State (Sept.14), Indiana (Sept.28), San Jose State (Oct.12), Penn State (Oct.26), Minnesota (Nov.2) and Michigan (Nov.23).
The Buckeyes and Texas Tech will meet for the second time. Ohio State defeated the Red Raiders 17-10 in their 1990 season opener in Ohio Stadium.
Both teams are coming off 7-5 seasons that included defeats in bowl games. The Buckeyes lost 31-28 to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl and Tech was beaten 19-16 by Iowa in the Alamo Bowl.
Other teams approached as possible opponents include Colorado, Kansas and Kansas State from the Big 12, Boston College from the Big East and Oregon State from the Pacific 10, the newspaper said.
The Pigskin Classic could be the start of a 15-game season for Texas Tech if the Red Raiders qualify for the Big 12 championship game and a bowl game.
SENIOR BOWL: Rohan Davey of LSU and Patrick Ramsey of Tulane outshined the Senior Bowl's more high-profile quarterbacks to lead the South to a 41-26 victory over the North on Saturday.
Davey threw a pair of touchdown passes and Ramsey led three second-half scoring drives for the South.
Fresno State's David Carr, widely considered the best quarterback prospect in the upcoming NFL draft, was 2-of-6 for 28 yards for the South.
The game is a showcase for top senior NFL prospects. Among those taking advantage was former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El, who made a seamless transition to receiver and return man.
Randle El, switching from quarterback to receiver and kick returner, was voted the game's Most Valuable Player. He caught a pair of 3-yard touchdown passes from Kurt Kittner of Illinois and had a 40-yard punt return.
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OSU to play Texas Tech in Pigskin Classic
