By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - First, catch your breath. Again. Then bring on Michigan.

Purdue kicker Ben Jones holds his head after missing an overtime field goal. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Ohio State served up its usual dramatics Saturday in a 16-13 overtime triumph over Purdue, setting the stage for one of the biggest showdowns with its archrival in a quarter-century.

It's been a bumpy road here. Saturday was the third time the defending national champion Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) have won without an offensive touchdown. Yet the defense and special teams are always solid, and OSU makes big plays in the clutch.

"It's kind of been our calling card: No matter what, things seem to go our way," senior tight end Ben Hartsock said.

"The chemistry on this team is great. We've got 26 seniors, and every one of us is so close, so tight. We have such a desire to do well."

OSU is 12-1 the past two seasons in games decided by seven or fewer points. Four of OSU's last 14 games have gone to OT, and OSU has won them all.

Despite having a 41-yard field goal blocked Saturday on the final play of regulation, OSU regrouped with Mike Nugent's 36-yard field goal to go ahead in OT.

Then after Purdue (8-3, 5-2) reached first down at the OSU 14, the Buckeyes stiffened, and Ben Jones' 37-yard attempt sailed just left.

The experience in tight games seems to have helped.

"We've been in a lot of them," quarterback Craig Krenzel said.

Said defensive back Dustin Fox: "Our defense is so resilient. We keep on playing, and we make plays when we have to."

OSU and Michigan are the league's co-leaders at 6-1. The winner claims the outright championship and at least a trip to the Rose Bowl.

This will be just the second time since 1977 that both teams rank in the top 5. The other was 1997, when then-No. 1 Michigan beat No. 4 OSU 20-14 in Ann Arbor.

"You come to a place like Ohio State or Michigan to play in that type of game," Krenzel said.

The Wolverines can be glad they don't have to come to Columbus, where OSU is its most resourceful. It has failed to score an offensive TD in four of its last 11 home games but nonetheless owns a 16-game home winning streak.

Critics will claim luck. Yes, Purdue's quarterback lost two fumbles in the fourth quarter - one returned for a touchdown - and its kicker missed field goals of 28 and 37 yards.

But this was arguably more a case of OSU following its game plan. The Buckeyes went without a turnover for the first time since the season opener. They won the field-position battle, including punter B.J. Sander (Roger Bacon) downing seven punts inside the 20.

Though the defense allowed 355 yards, including 24 first downs, it gave up just one TD.

How close were these teams? Maybe a difference of fingernails.

OSU's Mike Nugent said someone tipped his field goal in OT, but it still sailed through. Fox said he got a finger on Purdue's OT attempt, and that may have been enough to deflect it wide.

The Buckeyes insist they don't prefer going to the wire.

"Unfortunately, we'd had so much experience at it, but after a while it does pay dividends," Hartsock said.

The celebration Saturday stayed on the field, as the Buckeyes said they started talking about next week in the locker room.

"There's probably a couple hours to go out with your family and eat and enjoy this, but then it's Michigan," Hartsock said.

Purdue	3	3	0	7	0-13
Ohio St.	0	6	0	7	3-16

First Quarter

Pur-FG Be.Jones 45, 7:29.

Second Quarter

OSU-FG Nugent 26, 14:50.

Pur-FG Be.Jones 47, 13:01.

OSU-FG Nugent 52, 2:42.

Fourth Quarter

OSU-Kudla fumble recovery in end zone (Nugent kick), 4:36.

Pur-Void 11 run (Be.Jones kick), 4:36.

Overtime

OSU-FG Nugent 36.

A-105,286

	Pur	OSU
First downs	24	15
Rushes-yards	36-106	39-125
Passing	249	226
Comp-Att-Int	27-47-0	15-30-0
Return Yards	74	54
Punts-Avg.	7-39.6	10-41.3
Fumbles-Lost	3-2	1-0
Penalties-Yards	6-35	9-68
Time of Possession	29:01	30:59

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Purdue, Void 22-60, Orton 11-53, team 3-(minus 7). Ohio St., Ross 23-79, Krenzel 14-39, Joe 2-7.

PASSING-Purdue, Orton 27-47-0-249. Ohio St., Krenzel 15-29-0-226, team 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING-Purdue, Stubblefield 8-78, Standeford 8-56, Void 4-43, Chambers 3-28, Ingraham 1-18, C.Davis 1-10, Br.Jones 1-10, Bushong 1-6. Ohio St., Jenkins 6-123, Holmes 6-57, Hamby 1-27, Joe 1-10, Hartsock 1-9.