2002 Fiesta Bowl and National Championship - #2 Ohio State 31, #1 Miami 24 (Final/2OT)

The penalty that eventually ended the Miami Hurricanes' 34-game win streak. pic.twitter.com/5Rx42kbJqq

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) May 28, 2020

 

ICYMI: Dayton’s own Will Allen @WillAllenWAF shares memories from playing in the #Buckeyes 2003 Fiesta Bowl National Championship vs the @MiamiHurricanes which is tonight’s ESPN College Football Classic at 8pm

WATCH the FULL interview in the link below:https://t.co/HWU1lvQZJL pic.twitter.com/9qisIby7ZP

— Justin Kinner (@1410Kinner) May 28, 2020

 

Coach @JimTressel5 3 keys to victory.
1. Superior special teams
2. Relentless defense
3. Mistake-free & opportunistic offense

I never liked our (offense's) role...#TBT #CFBClassics

— Ben Hartsock (@BenHartsock) May 29, 2020

The 34 year drought (1968) of Nattys for @OhioStateFB was felt by every guy on that ‘02 team. Highest pressure environment I’ve ever played in. #TBT #CFBClassics

— Ben Hartsock (@BenHartsock) May 29, 2020

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Jonathan Vilma on what he thought going into the 2003 Fiesta Bowl: “For us, it was like okay, Ohio State, Big Ten, slow white guys. Who cares? Maurice Clarett, we weren't worried about any of that. We will win by two touchdowns and claim our second national title.”

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 29, 2020

 

Since that BCS Title Game, Ohio State has gone 190-34 (84.82%) in the subsequent 17 seasons. In those years, they have lost more than two games only three times (2004, 2008, 2011) and therefore have had double-digit wins in 15 seasons. The U on the other hand has gone 132-81 (61.97%). They have lost at least three games in every season except for the one following the Fiesta Bowl in 2003. In fact, they have lost four or more games in 10 of the past 17 years, and have only racked up double-digit wins twice (2003, 2017).

 

It wasn't easy getting a picture of the strip. Mine is the only one I've seen and there were a few photographers there that day. pic.twitter.com/fwZlVp1WIh

— Jim Davidson 🇺🇸 (@JimDPhoto) May 29, 2020

 

The legacy of the 2003 National Championship should be one of how a ridiculous, improbable team upset a juggernaut, but instead all people want to talk about is one single penalty. https://t.co/4Pc9EdQ9O6

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 29, 2020

 

Players from the 2002 national title team share Fiesta Bowl memories, including a peek inside Jim Tressel's "Winner's Manual," behind-the-scenes video, and fresh new stories. https://t.co/un9yudOi2G

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 29, 2020

 

Reliving the five most important overtime wins in the history of Ohio State football. https://t.co/X9o2ZZhtGb

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 28, 2020

2002: NO. 2 OHIO STATE 31, NO. 1 MIAMI 24 (2OT)
Entering the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, aka the 2002 BCS national championship game, most experts weren't give Ohio State a chance.

The Buckeyes were an 11.5-point underdog to a Miami program sporting a 34-game winning streak but what was supposed to be a coronation for the Hurricanes turned into an improbable national title – Ohio State's first since 1968.

Playing with nothing to lose, the Buckeyes built a 17-7 lead in the third quarter before Miami scored the final 10 points in regulation capped by a Todd Sievers 40-yard field goal to force overtime.

Miami scored a touchdown on the opening possession of overtime and things looked bleak for the Ohio State when Krenzel and company faced a 4th-and-14 but the clutch quarterback would find Michael Jenkins on an out route to keep the game alive before facing another fourth down – this time 4th-and-3 at the Miami 5.

Looking for Chris Gamble in the front right corner of the end zone, Krenzel's pass ricocheted out of bounds and it looked like the game was over before official Terry Porter's pass interference flag finally left his pocket and appropriately extended the game. Three plays later, Krenzel ran up the gut for six, tying the game at 24 apiece.

With Ohio State starting off the second overtime, Maurice Clarett found the end zone on the fifth play of the drive giving the Buckeyes a 31-24 edge, putting all the pressure squarely on Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey.

Matt Wilhelm would plaster Dorsey early on the ensuing possession, injuring his throwing shoulder. Wilhelm's blow caused Dorsey to throw wide on a potential game-tying play before the Hurricanes eventually faced a 4th-and-1 at the 1-yard line.

A Cie Grant blitz pressured Dorsey once more and his desperation heave fell harmlessly to the ground setting off a wild celebration as the Buckeyes captured the national title, much to the dismay of ABC color commentator Dan Fouts.