2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football
team representing the Ohio State University
in the college football
season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel
. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium
. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 12 and 1, having been defeated by Florida
in its final game, the BCS Championship game, and ended the year ranked second in Division I-A.
in January 2003, Ohio State has had successful seasons in 2003, 2004, and 2005, finishing in the top ten in 2003 and 2005 and winning bowl games each year, in the Fiesta, Alamo Bowl
, and back to the Fiesta Bowl in 2006, defeating Notre Dame
34-20.
The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big Ten Conference
title in 2005.
Following the season, starters A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner
, Bobby Carpenter
, Santonio Holmes
, Nick Mangold
(all first round), Ashton Youboty
, Anthony Schlegel
, Nate Salley
, and Rob Sims
, were drafted
into the NFL.
Head Coach Jim Tressel
was signed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.
In August, Ohio State was named the No. 1 team by the coaches' poll
. Terry Bowden
, a sports broadcaster and former coach, named Ohio State No. 1 in his preseason Sweet 16 rankings and stated Troy Smith
and Ted Ginn, Jr.
were Heisman Trophy
hopefuls. Ohio State thus garnered pre-season number one from USA Today, the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN The Magazine.
On August 9, 2006, the OSU Athletic Department announced the season-long suspension of junior tight end Marcel Frost by Coach Tressel for unspecified violations of team rules. The suspension resulted in the elevation of sophomore Rory Nicol to the top of the depth chart as the only tight end with significant game experience. Nicol played as a true freshman but missed most of 2005 with a broken right foot. Sophomore Brandon Smith, a former linebacker moved to tight end as a freshman in 2005, moves to second on the depth chart. Frost subsequently announced his transfer to Jackson State
, joining former Buckeye Erik Haw.
Team captains were announced August 25, 2006. Defensive captains named were seniors Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson. Offensive captains were seniors Troy Smith and Doug Datish.
On August 30, Jim Tressel announced the awarding of scholarships to four former walk-ons—senior WR Derek Harden, senior FB Ryan Franzinger, RS junior FB/wedgebuster Trever Robinson, and RS sophomore center Tyler "Tank" Whaley.
These scholarships were freed due to the departures of Sirjo Welch (grades), Chad Hoobler (transferred to Ashland), Devon Jordan (injuries) and the aforementioned Marcel Frost. Mike Roberts (transferred to Indiana State) and Sian Cotton (grades) also left the program earlier in the year.
On August 31, 2006, senior linebacker Mike D'Andrea underwent knee surgery and was declared out for the season.
on November 18, Ohio State became the first team ever to score a perfect 1.000 in the BCS
composite score.
Ohio State’s offense scored the first four times it had the ball, rolling up 28 points in the first 15:05 of the game. After moving out to a big lead, the Buckeyes rotated many players in and out of the game on both offense and defense en route to an easy 35-12 opening game victory.
NIU running back Garrett Wolfe
, as predicted, was the dominant force for the Huskies, amassing 285 of the Huskies’ 343 total yards, including 171 yards rushing, while touching the ball on half of Northern Illinois’s offensive plays. Except for Wolfe, the Huskies were totally ineffective on offense, converting only one out of thirteen third downs. The Buckeye defense, which featured five first-time starters, sacked
Huskie quarterbacks Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson four times and intercepted Horvath once.
On offense, captain Troy Smith
effectively directed the offense, completing 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. His completions were well-distributed, with Ted Ginn catching four for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 58-yard score; and Anthony Gonzalez
making four receptions for 53 yards and a score. Running back Antonio Pittman
carried the ball 19 times for 111 yards and a touchdown, while true freshman Chris Wells, in his first game as a Buckeye, carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes’ 488 yards of total offense were marred by two fumbles lost inside the Huskie ten-yard line and a pair of missed field goal attempts by Buckeye kickers.
Smith was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
: 1-2-0
Ohio State employed an effective vertical passing game in the first half and a relentless ball control offense in the second half, coupled with a defense that improved in both efficiency and stamina as the game progressed, to beat 2nd-ranked Texas
24-7 in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
, Austin. Quarterback Troy Smith
, well protected by the Buckeye offensive line, threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, directing a 10-play 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter that took 5:47 off the clock and secured the win. Although the teams were nearly equal in yardage (348 Ohio State to 326 Texas) and first downs (20-17 in favor of Texas), Ohio State did not turn the ball over and converted a recovered fumble and a Colt McCoy
interception, both forced by linebacker James Laurinaitis
, into 10 points.
Standouts for Ohio State were Anthony Gonzalez
, who made eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, and Ted Ginn
, who caught five for 97 yards including a 29-yard touchdown late in the first half that countered the lone score by the Longhorns. Antonio Pittman
rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries and scored the final touchdown. Punter A. J. Trapasso was particularly effective; his six punts averaged 50.8 yards a kick and won Ohio State the battle for field position. Texas had two streaks ended by the loss: a 12-game streak in which it had scored at least 40 points a game (and averaged 52), and a 21-game winning streak.
Laurinaitis and Trapasso were named Big Ten Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively. Laurinaitis also received national recognition for Player of the Week honors from the Walter Camp Foundation and as the Football Writers Association of America
-Bronko Nagurski
National Defensive Player of the Week.
Ohio State, playing a classic “sandwich game,” overcame a slow start, three quarters without much offensive rhythm, and a good UC defensive game plan that employed stunting and looping
its quick linemen to blow out the Bearcats in the 4th quarter, 37-7. Cincinnati scored on its second possession of the game, driving 80 yards in five plays and capping the drive with a 22 yard pass from Dustin Grutza to Jared Martin. However despite allowing a number of long gains on broken plays, Ohio State effectively stopped UC’s offense after the scoring drive, accumulating eight sacks, three interception
s, and holding the Bearcats to 212 total yards and -4 rushing. UC’s longest gain on the ground was a 23-yard scramble by Grutza on its touchdown drive.
Ohio State, after kicking a field goal on its opening series, trailed most of the first half until an 80-yard drive midway through the 2nd quarter ended in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Troy Smith to Ted Ginn on a crossing pattern with three minutes remaining. The offense again started slowly in the 2nd half until effective rushing by Antonio Pittman, including a 48-yard sprint for a touchdown, put the game away. Justin Zwick
entered the game at quarterback and effectively led a scoring drive, and late in the game 3rd and 4th string quarterbacks Todd Boeckman and Rob Schoenhoft took snaps. For the game Ohio State outgained UC 444 yards to 212, made 22 first downs to UC's 11, and scored all four times it had the ball in the red zone.
Troy Smith completed 21 of his 30 passing attempts without an interception, producing 203 yards and two touchdowns, both to Ted Ginn. He was sacked once for a loss of five yards. Zwick was 2 for 3 and 63 yards. 11 receivers caught passes for the Buckeyes, with Anthony Gonzalez catching 5 for 85 yards and several key first downs, and Ginn five for 33 yards. Pittman finished the day with 155 yards on 16 carries. On defense Quinn Pitcock recorded 3 sacks and penetrated the UC backfield the entire game. James Laurinaitis led in tackles with 9, including a sack, and intercepted his second pass of the season. Ohio State played sixty-one players. Aaron Pettrey was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his two field goals, ten points, and five kickoffs for touchback
s.
: 11-11-0
The game was even in all but the score. However Ohio State made all the big plays to overcome a strong defensive effort by Penn State and win going away, 28-6. First downs were 16 to 14 in favor of Penn State, rushing yardage 142 to 138 (PSU), and passing yardage 106 to 115 (Ohio State). Penn State intercepted two passes and Ohio State three. Tony Hunt
with four more carries outrushed Antonio Pittman, 138 yards to 110, and Troy Smith (12 of 22 passing) was virtually even with Anthony Morelli
in passing statistics. However, Ohio State recorded the only three sacks of the day, stopped Penn State twice inside the ten yard line, and the defense scored two touchdowns in a second half where the momentum gradually shifted from the Nittany Lions to the Buckeyes.
The game was played in a persistent, sometimes heavy rain
, but field conditions were not a factor. The 1st quarter ended scoreless as James Laurinaitis grabbed his third interception of the season to stop a PSU drive but the Buckeyes squandered the opportunity with a missed field goal by Aaron Pettrey. Penn State took the ball at its 30 with six minutes left in the first half and with the aid of a pass interference
penalty drove to the Ohio State 7. The Buckeyes held at the 3, but committed a penalty on a missed field goal attempt, giving the Nittany Lions a second chance on an untimed down. Kevin Kelly converted this second chance and PSU led at the half 3-0.
The 3rd quarter started disastrously for Ohio State as Penn State intercepted Troy Smith at the OSU 26 on the third play of the half. The Lions gained only a single yard, however, and missed a field goal. The series seemed to energize the Buckeyes, and they drove the length of the field to take the lead. Pittman made 60 of the 75 yards, including the last 12 for the score, on three carries and a screen pass. Early in the fourth quarter, Troy Smith threw a 37-yard pass from to sophomore wide receiver Brian Robiskie to avoid a sack. Despite the ball being thrown as what is known as "up for grabs", luck was on Ohio State's side for that drive.
Penn State answered with a long drive from its own 20, aided by a pair of Buckeye penalties after the defense had apparently killed the drive. But the Bucks stopped PSU at the 1, directly in front of the student section, and the Lion offensive line moved before the snap on a 4th-and-goal attempt. After the penalty Penn State again settled for a field goal and this appeared to be the defining moment that shifted the momentum towards Ohio State. In the final two minutes, Penn State put together a strong drive in an attempt to regain control over the game, but this was ended with the first of two interceptions. The Buckeyes intercepted a possible scoring pass and ran it for a touchdown. Buckeye defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins and Antonio Smith each scored on long interception returns a minute and fourteen seconds apart to complete the victory. Antonio Pittman scored a touchdown for the ninth game in a row and Ohio State won its eleventh straight, which, with TCU
’s loss to BYU
on September 28, becomes the longest active win streak in Division I-A.
Many Penn State fans have expressed sentiments that critical mistakes are what doomed Penn State in this close game. Those mistakes being the interceptions, missed field goals, and the false start penalty at 4th and 1.
: 44-14-3
Ohio State, in what was widely described by television pundits afterwards as a “statement game,” trounced 13th-ranked Iowa 38-17 in Kinnick Stadium
in Iowa City
. It was the second win on the road in four weeks over a ranked team for the Buckeyes, who won their 12th game in a row to lead Division I-A in active win streaks. Leading 21-10 at halftime, the Buckeyes scored on the first possession of the second half, ending with a spectacular catch-and-run touchdown by Anthony Gonzalez
from the Iowa 30 in which he cut back, balancing on one hand, and maneuvered through tacklers on the sideline. The Buckeyes kept the ball for the entire 3rd quarter except one brief Hawkeye possession, and accumulated an overwhelming 40:30 to 19:30 advantage in time of possession. Their aggressive defense took the ball away four times on three interceptions and a forced fumble, while Ohio State never turned the ball over. For the second straight season the Buckeye defense harried Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate
into one of his worst performances.
Ohio State stopped Iowa on three-and-out after the opening kickoff, then drove the field on its first possession to lead 7-0 and quiet a record Kinnick Stadium crowd overwhelmingly dressed in gold. Iowa reached the Ohio State 14 on the ensuing possession but was forced to settle for a field goal
. The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter, which was as close as Iowa got in the game, before the Buckeyes scored just before the half. Iowa scored quickly at the start of the 4th quarter to narrow a three-touchdown deficit to 14 points, but Ohio State responded with a pair of interceptions of Drew Tate
that put the game away.
Statistically Ohio State racked up 400 yards of balanced offense with 214 yards rushing and 186 passing, but had an impressive 2—1 ratio of run-to-pass, with 50 rushes and 25 passes. The defense held Iowa to 87 yards rushing and limited Tate to 249 passing (Tate completed 19 of 41 attempts), but did yield its first rushing touchdown on the 2006 season.
Standout players offense for the Buckeyes were quarterback Troy Smith, who completed 16 of 25 attempts for 4 touchdowns and rushed for 20 yards; tailback Antonio Pittman
, who rushed for 117 yards on 25 carries and scored in his tenth straight game; freshman tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells, 14 carries for 78 yards rushing; wide receiver Gonzalez, 5 receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns; Ted Ginn, Jr.. five catches for 69 yards; and wide receivers Roy Hall and Brian Robiskie, who each caught a TD pass. On defense, linebacker James Laurinaitis intercepted a pass in his fourth consecutive game and registered a sack, linebacker
Marcus Freeman also had a sack and an interception, and safety Brandon Mitchell intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble by Iowa tight end
Scott Chandler. Freshman wide receiver Brian Hartline delivered a devastating block
downfield on two Iowa defensive linemen on Gonzalez’s catch-and-run. Although a deep Buckeye defense adjusted well, starting freshman safety Anderson Russell suffered a season-ending knee injury on kickoff coverage in the 1st quarter.
Ohio State easily defeated the Bowling Green Falcons in Ohio Stadium for their 13th straight win. Troy Smith completed 85% of his passes for three touchdowns and Antonio Pittman scored two others rushing. Ohio State led 21-0 at the half, and while the Falcons took the second half kickoff and completed an 8½-minute drive for a touchdown, the game was never in doubt. The Buckeyes replied with a 7-minute scoring drive, then after forcing BG to punt, Ted Ginn made his first significant return of the season to the OSU 43. On the next play Smith completed a long pass to Ginn for the final touchdown.
In addition to Smith’s 191 passing yards, Justin Zwick saw playing time in both halves, completing 4 of his 9 passes for 57 yards. Ginn had his best day as a receiver in 2006, catching 10 passes for 122 yards. Senior Roy Hall caught four passes for 50 yards. On defense, Ohio State adjusted to the Falcons’ first use of a variation of Nevada
’s “pistol offense” (a shotgun variant
with a running back lined up behind the QB); BGSU produced a balanced mix of pass and run (179 yards and 160 yards), but 85 yards came on one drive and 54 of the rushing yards on a single run in the 4th quarter when both teams were playing their second strings. Freshman Kurt Coleman blocked a field goal attempt in the first half. Sophomore defensive end Vernon Gholston was a standout on defense, including a pass interception. Backup defensive back Andre Amos also made an interception late in the game on a 4th down play that replay officials bizarrely chose to review and reverse, even though the ball was Ohio State’s either way and no one had challenged the ruling.
The win was Ohio State’s 13th in a row since it resumed playing in-state opponents in 1997, and 29th straight in-state victory. The last Buckeye loss to an Ohio team was to Oberlin College
in 1921.
Smith was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten. His game quarterback rating of 214.7 against BGSU raised his career rating to 158.1, the highest in Big Ten history.
: 25-12-0
Ohio State performed well in almost all facets of the game and defeated Michigan State 38-7. Both offense and defense performed at high levels, and the only Michigan State score (and 69 of its 198 yards) came against the OSU reserves, with a minute to play.
Ohio State fumbled the ball at its own 31 to Michigan State on its opening series but James Laurinaitis sacked Drew Stanton
on third down and forced a Spartan punt. The Buckeyes then drove for the opening touchdown, with Antonio Pittman scoring in his 12th straight game. The Buckeyes scored 17 points in the 2nd quarter, including a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ted Ginn, his 6th career punt return for touchdown, establishing a new B-10 career record. The legitimacy of this record has been called into question after sports commentators noticed that there was an illegal block in the back penalty during that punt return that was not called. (If the call had been made there would have been no effect to the outcome of the game, but to the record only.) Marcus Freeman intercepted a pass at the Spartan 39 with 2 minutes remaining in the half, and the Buckeyes converted it for a score with a pass from Troy Smith to Anthony Gonzalez reminiscent of “The Catch
” to lead 24-0.
Ohio State controlled the game with defense in the second half, although offensively the 3rd quarter was highlighted by back-to-back end-around
s by Gonzalez and Ginn, gaining 41 yards. Smith escaped a leg tackle by a Spartan defender and threw a touchdown pass to Brian Robiskie, and Chris Wells completed the Buckeye scoring with a touchdown run at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Statistically, Ohio State was balanced on offense, with 10 first downs each rushing and passing, and 182 of its 421 yards on the ground. Smith was 15 of 22 for 234 yards; Wells rushed for 53 and Pittman for 48; and Gonzalez had 7 receptions for 118 yards. The Buckeyes also had an 8-minute edge in time of possession. The defense had four sacks in addition to the interception, and ten tackles for loss, with Quinn Pitcock (3 solo tackles, including 2 sacks) and Jay Richardson (4 solo tackles) having outstanding days.
Ted Ginn was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
: 65-12-5
Ohio State spotted Indiana an early 3-0 lead, then crushed the Hoosiers with seven unanswered scoring drives to win 44-3.
In an early struggle for field position, Indiana pinned the Buckeyes inside their own 10 and forced a punt to midfield which was returned to the Ohio State 15. The defense held, forcing a field goal
, a lead that held up until two minutes left in the quarter, when Troy Smith capped a long drive with a scoring pass to tight end Rory Nicol. Smith went on to throw four touchdown passes on a 15 for 23 day passing, and wide receiver Ted Ginn also completed a touchdown pass to Nicol. Chris Wells scored the sixth Buckeye touchdown on a 12-yard run in the 4th quarter, and Aaron Pettrey added a 51-yard field goal. In addition to Nicol, tight end Jake Ballard caught a pass for a score, as did both Ginn and Anthony Gonzales. The defense, which again moved into first place in NCAA I-A scoring defense, was highlighted by Antonio Smith, who had 11 solo tackles (12 overall), 4 for losses including a sack, and a forced fumble
. Malcolm Jenkins and Andre Amos each intercepted passes, and Jay Richardson recorded two of the Buckeyes' 4 sacks.
Ohio State had a perfectly balanced offense for the game, accruing 270 yards both passing and rushing. Antonio Pittman's scoring streak ended at 12 games but he rushed for 105 yards to lead all rushers. The defense allowed only 158 yards passing and 7 rushing, and Ohio State won its 15th straight game and 10th at home.
Troy Smith was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Offense (with Drew Stanton
), and Antonio Smith on Defense (shared with Paul Posluszny
).
2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
: 39-7-0
The Buckeyes crushed the Minnesota Golden Gophers
in Ohio Stadium, 44-0. Ohio State used both a dominating offense and a crushing defense to control the game, played under cool and very windy conditions. The shutout was Ohio State’s first since September 27, 2003. The shutout was preserved with two defensive stops on 4th down and short yardage, the second on a 4th-and-inches at the Ohio State 15 late in the game. Ohio State’s domination was such that it did not punt
at all during the game.
The Buckeyes dominated Minnesota in all statistics, outgaining them 484 to 182, out-rushing by 266 to 47, and out-passing them 218 yards to 135. Ohio State racked up 29 first downs to Minnesota’s 10, and had a 5:22 edge in time of possession. Ohio State turned the ball over on fumbles three times, including two plays in a row in the 2nd quarter, but intercepted Minnesota 3 times (by Antonio Smith, Jamario O’Neal, and Malcolm Jenkins). The Buckeyes’ 18 total interceptions for the season leads all Division I-A teams.
Antonio Pittman scored two of Ohio State’s 5 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball for 116 yards, and had two pass receptions for 47 yards. Chris Wells carried the ball for another 90 yards and scored once. Troy Smith threw for 183 yards and a touchdown on 14-21 passing, and scored a rushing touchdown on a long scramble. Justin Zwick added the other rushing score on a 4th quarter sneak. The sole touchdown catch was 18 yards to Brian Robiskie, his only catch of the day. Brian Hartline had four catches for 69 yards to lead all players.
: 60-29-4
In its poorest offensive performance of the season, Ohio State struggled against 2-7 Illinois but escaped with a 17-10 win. Illinois drove 80 yards in the last five minutes of the game to close the margin to a touchdown, but Ohio State recovered the onside kick
and managed to hold the ball until only 4 seconds were left in the game. Their punt pinned Illinois at the Illini three and the game ended on the next play.
Ohio State began strong, driving the ball 80 yards on its opening series for a Chris Wells touchdown. After Curtis Terry recovered an Illinois fumble, Ohio State then drove 38 yards for its second touchdown, a short rush by Antonio Pittman. However midway through the 2nd quarter Wells fumbled in the open field without contact, and the Buckeyes' offensive momentum slowed. They scored on a 50 yard field goal by Aaron Pettrey just before halftime but did not have another effective offensive series after that.
In the second half, the Buckeyes had three straight series of losses and were consistently out-muscled by an inspired and athletic Illinois defense the entire half, gaining just 27 yards. Troy Smith threw an interception with 5 minutes to play, but on the next play James Laurinaitis countered with an interception of his own. Even so Illinois forced a punt and drove for its only touchdown. Ohio State played well on defense until the final five minutes of the game, holding Illinois to 137 yards before their touchdown drive, but in the end the Illini outgained Ohio State 233 yards to 224, although having possession nearly twelve minutes less.
: 57-14-1
Troy Smith tied a career high with four touchdown passes and the Buckeye defense forced five turnovers—each of which resulted in a touchdown—as the Buckeyes steamrolled overmatched Northwestern, 54-10. Smith had 185 yards passing. Freshman wideout Brian Hartline caught two of Smith’s touchdown passes; the other two went to Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn, Jr. Tailback
Antonio Pittman had 80 yards on the ground. Pittman eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season, becoming the first Buckeye tailback since Eddie George
(1994–1995) to accomplish that feat. Chris Wells added a career high 99 yards. Both Pittman and Chris Wells had a touchdown run. The Buckeyes outgained the Wildcats 425-297. The OSU defense tallied two interceptions, bringing the season total to 21. Senior safety Brandon Mitchell returned his INT 46 yards for his second career touchdown (his first came on an interception last year at Indiana).
54 points is the most that Ohio State has scored since defeating Pitt 72-0 in 1996.
The Buckeye rout, coupled with Michigan’s 34-3 defeat of Indiana, set the stage for the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in the rivalry’s storied history
.
Smith was named co-Player of the Week in the Big Ten on offense, his fifth weekly conference accolade of his career and his fourth in 2006, which tied him with six other players for the most offensive awards in a single year (the others were Indiana’s
Anthony Thompson
(1989), Michigan’s
Desmond Howard
(1991), Wisconsin’s
Ron Dayne
(1999), Purdue’s
Drew Brees
(2000) and Kyle Orton
(2004), and Penn State’s
Larry Johnson (2002).
: 40-57-6
Troy Smith
played his last game in Columbus
against archrival
Michigan
, in what was billed by some as The Game of the Century. He led the Buckeyes to a victory that won Ohio State the outright Big Ten
championship, an undefeated season, and a berth in the BCS Championship Game on January 8, 2007.
Michigan took an early 7-0 lead on its opening drive, driving 80 yards and keeping the Buckeye defense completely off-balance. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne
set up a 1-yard run for Mike Hart
with an effective passing attack to Mario Manningham
. Ohio State immediately replied, however, tying the score when Smith hooked up with senior wideout Roy Hall for a 1-yard touchdown pass.
In the second quarter, freshman Chris Wells used a spin move and a hurdle of a tackler to break away for a 52-yard run that put the Buckeyes up 14-7. After a Wolverine punt, Smith used a superb play action fake on a 2nd and short to hit Ted Ginn
in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown pass. However, Henne drove the Wolverines 65 yards in 2 minutes for a touchdown to Adrian Arrington and appeared to take back the momentum of the game. The Buckeyes patiently drove the length of the field in the final two minutes of the half, and Smith completed his third touchdown pass, finding Anthony Gonzalez
for the score.
In the second half, Ohio State gave up the ball on a three-and-out when Smith was ineffective on three passes. Michigan again appeared to take back the momentum with a scoring drive and a field goal
following an interception thrown by Smith at the Ohio State 25, but Antonio Pittman
found a wide gap in the Michigan defensive line and ran away from the Wolverine secondary for a 56-yard touchdown that gave Ohio State an 11-point lead again. With seconds left in the quarter, a bad snap by injured captain and center
Doug Datish in the shotgun
caused the ball to go over Smith’s head for a fumble recovered by Michigan at the Ohio State 9. Hart scored his third touchdown after the recovery nineteen seconds into the 4th quarter and the lead was again down to 4.
Later in the 4th quarter, Datish again turned over the ball on a bad snap after Ohio State had driven deep into Michigan territory, but Michigan was forced to punt. Sophomore wide receiver Brian Robiskie, who had made a key long gain in the 2nd quarter, then agilely
kept his balance in the front corner of the end zone for Smith’s fourth touchdown pass—a thirteen yarder—with only 5:38 remaining.
Michigan moved the ball on a long drive, but were stopped at midfield. On 4th down, Henne threw deep downfield for an incomplete pass; however, pass interference was called on safety Jamario O’Neal, and the Wolverines were still alive. Henne passed for a 16-yard score and a two-point conversion
, providing the final margin. Their onside kick attempt was recovered by Ted Ginn, Jr. on the fly and retained after a hard hit by the Wolverine “hands” team. With Michigan out of timeouts, Pittman carried the ball for a first down on third and one, and the clock expired.
For Troy Smith, the victory was his third over Michigan, making him the first Ohio State quarterback to win three consecutive games over Michigan since Tippy Dye
(who attended the 2006 game) (1934–1936). Smith completed 29 of 41 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns, hitting eight different receivers, and was sacked only once. Ginn caught 8 for 104 yards, Robiskie 7 for 89 yards, Gonzalez 4 for 50 yards, and Hall 3 for 38 yards, all four scoring touchdowns. Against Michigan’s top-rated rushing defense, Pittman carried the ball 18 times for 139 yards and Wells 5 times for 56. Overall, Ohio State riddled the highly-touted Wolverine defense for 503 total yards (187 on the ground), and against its top-ranked third-down average (25%), converted six out of eleven (54.5%). The 42 points scored by Ohio State is the most it has scored against Michigan since 1968, when Woody Hayes
’s “Super Sophomores” (Rex Kern
, John Brockington
, Jack Tatum
, Jim Stillwagon
, et al.) led Ohio State to a 50-14 blowout of the Wolverines.
Although giving up points far in excess of its season average, and being hard-pressed at times, the Buckeye defense sacked Henne four times, held Michigan to four conversions on thirteen 3rd down attempts, and forced 5 punts and a turnover on downs.
Troy Smith received his fifth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award for the 2006 season, setting a new conference record for most received in a single season. This honor was the sixth of his career.
in Glendale, Arizona
, they faced the Florida Gators
. It was the first meeting between the schools in football.
Florida defeated Arkansas
in the SEC Championship Game
38-28 to secure the number two position in the final BCS standings over the Michigan Wolverines, and finished the regular season at 12-1. Florida's only defeat during 2006 came on the road at Auburn’s
Jordan-Hare Stadium
in the seventh week of the season.
Ohio State scored on the opening play of the game with a kickoff return by Ted Ginn Jr, but it would be the last play of the game (and his college career) for him as he left the game with a foot injury sustained during his touchdown celebration. Under relentless pressure from the Gator's defensive line, QB Troy Smith posted the worst game of his career being sacked 5 times and completing only 4 passes (on 14 throws for 35 yards), 1 interception, 1 fumble and -29 yards on sacks.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team representing the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in the college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 12 and 1, having been defeated by Florida
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
in its final game, the BCS Championship game, and ended the year ranked second in Division I-A.
Previous seasons
Coming off a National Championship in the Fiesta BowlFiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
in January 2003, Ohio State has had successful seasons in 2003, 2004, and 2005, finishing in the top ten in 2003 and 2005 and winning bowl games each year, in the Fiesta, Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl is a major American college football bowl game played annually since 1993 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It matches the second choice team from the Pacific-12 Conference and the third choice team from the Big 12 Conference.Traditionally, the Alamo Bowl has been...
, and back to the Fiesta Bowl in 2006, defeating Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
34-20.
The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
title in 2005.
Following the season, starters A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner
Donte Whitner
Donte Whitner is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the Ohio State University...
, Bobby Carpenter
Bobby Carpenter (American football)
Robert J. Carpenter III is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State.Carpenter has also played for the St...
, Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State...
, Nick Mangold
Nick Mangold
-New York Jets:Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committed only 3 penalties and made all the line calls. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock...
(all first round), Ashton Youboty
Ashton Youboty
Ashton Youboty is an American football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Anthony Schlegel
Anthony Schlegel
Anthony Schlegel is a former American Football linebacker. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the Ohio State University after transferring from the United States Air Force Academy...
, Nate Salley
Nate Salley
Nate Salley is an American football safety for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:He was a two sport star at St.Thomas Aquinas High...
, and Rob Sims
Rob Sims
Robert Sims is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, were drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
into the NFL.
Preseason
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
was signed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.
In August, Ohio State was named the No. 1 team by the coaches' poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
. Terry Bowden
Terry Bowden
Terry Bowden is an American football coach at the University of North Alabama. Bowden was previously the head coach at Salem University , Samford University , and Auburn University . Bowden is the son of former Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden...
, a sports broadcaster and former coach, named Ohio State No. 1 in his preseason Sweet 16 rankings and stated Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
and Ted Ginn, Jr.
Ted Ginn, Jr.
-College career:OSU track coach Russ Rogers recruited Ginn to run track, believing that he could qualify for the 2008 Olympics. However, his track career was put on hold in order to focus on football. Ginn was recruited as a defensive back by Ohio State....
were Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
hopefuls. Ohio State thus garnered pre-season number one from USA Today, the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN The Magazine.
On August 9, 2006, the OSU Athletic Department announced the season-long suspension of junior tight end Marcel Frost by Coach Tressel for unspecified violations of team rules. The suspension resulted in the elevation of sophomore Rory Nicol to the top of the depth chart as the only tight end with significant game experience. Nicol played as a true freshman but missed most of 2005 with a broken right foot. Sophomore Brandon Smith, a former linebacker moved to tight end as a freshman in 2005, moves to second on the depth chart. Frost subsequently announced his transfer to Jackson State
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
, joining former Buckeye Erik Haw.
Team captains were announced August 25, 2006. Defensive captains named were seniors Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson. Offensive captains were seniors Troy Smith and Doug Datish.
On August 30, Jim Tressel announced the awarding of scholarships to four former walk-ons—senior WR Derek Harden, senior FB Ryan Franzinger, RS junior FB/wedgebuster Trever Robinson, and RS sophomore center Tyler "Tank" Whaley.
These scholarships were freed due to the departures of Sirjo Welch (grades), Chad Hoobler (transferred to Ashland), Devon Jordan (injuries) and the aforementioned Marcel Frost. Mike Roberts (transferred to Indiana State) and Sian Cotton (grades) also left the program earlier in the year.
On August 31, 2006, senior linebacker Mike D'Andrea underwent knee surgery and was declared out for the season.
Schedule
Rankings
Following their victory over arch-rival Michigan2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
on November 18, Ohio State became the first team ever to score a perfect 1.000 in the BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
composite score.
Ohio State 35, Northern Illinois 12
All-time record against NIU: 1-0-0 (first meeting)Ohio State’s offense scored the first four times it had the ball, rolling up 28 points in the first 15:05 of the game. After moving out to a big lead, the Buckeyes rotated many players in and out of the game on both offense and defense en route to an easy 35-12 opening game victory.
NIU running back Garrett Wolfe
Garrett Wolfe
Garrett Wolfe is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played his college football at Northern Illinois. He is currently a free agent.-Personal life:...
, as predicted, was the dominant force for the Huskies, amassing 285 of the Huskies’ 343 total yards, including 171 yards rushing, while touching the ball on half of Northern Illinois’s offensive plays. Except for Wolfe, the Huskies were totally ineffective on offense, converting only one out of thirteen third downs. The Buckeye defense, which featured five first-time starters, sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
Huskie quarterbacks Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson four times and intercepted Horvath once.
On offense, captain Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
effectively directed the offense, completing 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. His completions were well-distributed, with Ted Ginn catching four for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 58-yard score; and Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony E. Gonzalez is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Gonzalez attended St...
making four receptions for 53 yards and a score. Running back Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State....
carried the ball 19 times for 111 yards and a touchdown, while true freshman Chris Wells, in his first game as a Buckeye, carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes’ 488 yards of total offense were marred by two fumbles lost inside the Huskie ten-yard line and a pair of missed field goal attempts by Buckeye kickers.
Smith was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Ohio State 24, Texas 7
All-time record against TexasTexas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
: 1-2-0
Ohio State employed an effective vertical passing game in the first half and a relentless ball control offense in the second half, coupled with a defense that improved in both efficiency and stamina as the game progressed, to beat 2nd-ranked Texas
2006 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2006 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head football coach was Mack Brown, who received the 2006 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for "Coach of the Year". The Longhorns play their home games in...
24-7 in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
-Major Expansions and Renovations:*1926 - "Horseshoe" built on the north end for US$125,000 raising capacity to 40,500*1948 - Two L-shaped sections added to the east and west stands, raising seating capacity to 60,130. General contractor for this work was Farnsworth & Chambers Inc...
, Austin. Quarterback Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
, well protected by the Buckeye offensive line, threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, directing a 10-play 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter that took 5:47 off the clock and secured the win. Although the teams were nearly equal in yardage (348 Ohio State to 326 Texas) and first downs (20-17 in favor of Texas), Ohio State did not turn the ball over and converted a recovered fumble and a Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
interception, both forced by linebacker James Laurinaitis
James Laurinaitis
-St. Louis Rams:Laurinaitis was drafted in the 2nd round 35th overall by the St. Louis Rams. On July 29, 2009, he signed a four-year, $5.1 million contract. The deal contained $3.3 million guaranteed...
, into 10 points.
Standouts for Ohio State were Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony E. Gonzalez is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Gonzalez attended St...
, who made eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, and Ted Ginn
Ted Ginn, Jr.
-College career:OSU track coach Russ Rogers recruited Ginn to run track, believing that he could qualify for the 2008 Olympics. However, his track career was put on hold in order to focus on football. Ginn was recruited as a defensive back by Ohio State....
, who caught five for 97 yards including a 29-yard touchdown late in the first half that countered the lone score by the Longhorns. Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State....
rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries and scored the final touchdown. Punter A. J. Trapasso was particularly effective; his six punts averaged 50.8 yards a kick and won Ohio State the battle for field position. Texas had two streaks ended by the loss: a 12-game streak in which it had scored at least 40 points a game (and averaged 52), and a 21-game winning streak.
Laurinaitis and Trapasso were named Big Ten Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively. Laurinaitis also received national recognition for Player of the Week honors from the Walter Camp Foundation and as the Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
-Bronko Nagurski
Bronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
National Defensive Player of the Week.
Ohio State 37, Cincinnati 7
All-time record against Cincinnati: 13-2-0Ohio State, playing a classic “sandwich game,” overcame a slow start, three quarters without much offensive rhythm, and a good UC defensive game plan that employed stunting and looping
Stunt (football)
A stunt in American football and Canadian football is a planned maneuver by a pair of players of the defensive team by which they exchange roles, the better to slip past blockers of the offensive team at the beginning of a play from scrimmage....
its quick linemen to blow out the Bearcats in the 4th quarter, 37-7. Cincinnati scored on its second possession of the game, driving 80 yards in five plays and capping the drive with a 22 yard pass from Dustin Grutza to Jared Martin. However despite allowing a number of long gains on broken plays, Ohio State effectively stopped UC’s offense after the scoring drive, accumulating eight sacks, three interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
s, and holding the Bearcats to 212 total yards and -4 rushing. UC’s longest gain on the ground was a 23-yard scramble by Grutza on its touchdown drive.
Ohio State, after kicking a field goal on its opening series, trailed most of the first half until an 80-yard drive midway through the 2nd quarter ended in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Troy Smith to Ted Ginn on a crossing pattern with three minutes remaining. The offense again started slowly in the 2nd half until effective rushing by Antonio Pittman, including a 48-yard sprint for a touchdown, put the game away. Justin Zwick
Justin Zwick
Justin Zwick is an American football quarterback who most recently played with the Columbus Destroyers in the now defunct Arena Football League. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2002-2006.-High school:...
entered the game at quarterback and effectively led a scoring drive, and late in the game 3rd and 4th string quarterbacks Todd Boeckman and Rob Schoenhoft took snaps. For the game Ohio State outgained UC 444 yards to 212, made 22 first downs to UC's 11, and scored all four times it had the ball in the red zone.
Troy Smith completed 21 of his 30 passing attempts without an interception, producing 203 yards and two touchdowns, both to Ted Ginn. He was sacked once for a loss of five yards. Zwick was 2 for 3 and 63 yards. 11 receivers caught passes for the Buckeyes, with Anthony Gonzalez catching 5 for 85 yards and several key first downs, and Ginn five for 33 yards. Pittman finished the day with 155 yards on 16 carries. On defense Quinn Pitcock recorded 3 sacks and penetrated the UC backfield the entire game. James Laurinaitis led in tackles with 9, including a sack, and intercepted his second pass of the season. Ohio State played sixty-one players. Aaron Pettrey was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his two field goals, ten points, and five kickoffs for touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
s.
Ohio State 28, Penn State 6
All-time record against Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
: 11-11-0
The game was even in all but the score. However Ohio State made all the big plays to overcome a strong defensive effort by Penn State and win going away, 28-6. First downs were 16 to 14 in favor of Penn State, rushing yardage 142 to 138 (PSU), and passing yardage 106 to 115 (Ohio State). Penn State intercepted two passes and Ohio State three. Tony Hunt
Tony Hunt
Antonio Christopher Hunt is an American football running back for the Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna of the Austrian Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.-Early years:A standout player at T. C...
with four more carries outrushed Antonio Pittman, 138 yards to 110, and Troy Smith (12 of 22 passing) was virtually even with Anthony Morelli
Anthony Morelli
Anthony Michael Morelli is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
in passing statistics. However, Ohio State recorded the only three sacks of the day, stopped Penn State twice inside the ten yard line, and the defense scored two touchdowns in a second half where the momentum gradually shifted from the Nittany Lions to the Buckeyes.
The game was played in a persistent, sometimes heavy rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
, but field conditions were not a factor. The 1st quarter ended scoreless as James Laurinaitis grabbed his third interception of the season to stop a PSU drive but the Buckeyes squandered the opportunity with a missed field goal by Aaron Pettrey. Penn State took the ball at its 30 with six minutes left in the first half and with the aid of a pass interference
Pass interference
In American and Canadian gridiron football, pass interference is a penalty that occurs when a player interferes with an eligible receiver's ability to make a fair attempt to catch a forward pass. Pass interference may include tripping, pushing, pulling, or cutting in front of the receiver or...
penalty drove to the Ohio State 7. The Buckeyes held at the 3, but committed a penalty on a missed field goal attempt, giving the Nittany Lions a second chance on an untimed down. Kevin Kelly converted this second chance and PSU led at the half 3-0.
The 3rd quarter started disastrously for Ohio State as Penn State intercepted Troy Smith at the OSU 26 on the third play of the half. The Lions gained only a single yard, however, and missed a field goal. The series seemed to energize the Buckeyes, and they drove the length of the field to take the lead. Pittman made 60 of the 75 yards, including the last 12 for the score, on three carries and a screen pass. Early in the fourth quarter, Troy Smith threw a 37-yard pass from to sophomore wide receiver Brian Robiskie to avoid a sack. Despite the ball being thrown as what is known as "up for grabs", luck was on Ohio State's side for that drive.
Penn State answered with a long drive from its own 20, aided by a pair of Buckeye penalties after the defense had apparently killed the drive. But the Bucks stopped PSU at the 1, directly in front of the student section, and the Lion offensive line moved before the snap on a 4th-and-goal attempt. After the penalty Penn State again settled for a field goal and this appeared to be the defining moment that shifted the momentum towards Ohio State. In the final two minutes, Penn State put together a strong drive in an attempt to regain control over the game, but this was ended with the first of two interceptions. The Buckeyes intercepted a possible scoring pass and ran it for a touchdown. Buckeye defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins and Antonio Smith each scored on long interception returns a minute and fourteen seconds apart to complete the victory. Antonio Pittman scored a touchdown for the ninth game in a row and Ohio State won its eleventh straight, which, with TCU
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
’s loss to BYU
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
on September 28, becomes the longest active win streak in Division I-A.
Many Penn State fans have expressed sentiments that critical mistakes are what doomed Penn State in this close game. Those mistakes being the interceptions, missed field goals, and the false start penalty at 4th and 1.
Ohio State 38, Iowa 17
All-time record against IowaIowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
: 44-14-3
Ohio State, in what was widely described by television pundits afterwards as a “statement game,” trounced 13th-ranked Iowa 38-17 in Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
in Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
. It was the second win on the road in four weeks over a ranked team for the Buckeyes, who won their 12th game in a row to lead Division I-A in active win streaks. Leading 21-10 at halftime, the Buckeyes scored on the first possession of the second half, ending with a spectacular catch-and-run touchdown by Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony E. Gonzalez is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Gonzalez attended St...
from the Iowa 30 in which he cut back, balancing on one hand, and maneuvered through tacklers on the sideline. The Buckeyes kept the ball for the entire 3rd quarter except one brief Hawkeye possession, and accumulated an overwhelming 40:30 to 19:30 advantage in time of possession. Their aggressive defense took the ball away four times on three interceptions and a forced fumble, while Ohio State never turned the ball over. For the second straight season the Buckeye defense harried Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate
Drew Tate
Drew Tate is a professional American and Canadian football quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa....
into one of his worst performances.
Ohio State stopped Iowa on three-and-out after the opening kickoff, then drove the field on its first possession to lead 7-0 and quiet a record Kinnick Stadium crowd overwhelmingly dressed in gold. Iowa reached the Ohio State 14 on the ensuing possession but was forced to settle for a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
. The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter, which was as close as Iowa got in the game, before the Buckeyes scored just before the half. Iowa scored quickly at the start of the 4th quarter to narrow a three-touchdown deficit to 14 points, but Ohio State responded with a pair of interceptions of Drew Tate
Drew Tate
Drew Tate is a professional American and Canadian football quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa....
that put the game away.
Statistically Ohio State racked up 400 yards of balanced offense with 214 yards rushing and 186 passing, but had an impressive 2—1 ratio of run-to-pass, with 50 rushes and 25 passes. The defense held Iowa to 87 yards rushing and limited Tate to 249 passing (Tate completed 19 of 41 attempts), but did yield its first rushing touchdown on the 2006 season.
Standout players offense for the Buckeyes were quarterback Troy Smith, who completed 16 of 25 attempts for 4 touchdowns and rushed for 20 yards; tailback Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State....
, who rushed for 117 yards on 25 carries and scored in his tenth straight game; freshman tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells, 14 carries for 78 yards rushing; wide receiver Gonzalez, 5 receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns; Ted Ginn, Jr.. five catches for 69 yards; and wide receivers Roy Hall and Brian Robiskie, who each caught a TD pass. On defense, linebacker James Laurinaitis intercepted a pass in his fourth consecutive game and registered a sack, linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Marcus Freeman also had a sack and an interception, and safety Brandon Mitchell intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble by Iowa tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Scott Chandler. Freshman wide receiver Brian Hartline delivered a devastating block
Blocking (American football)
In American football, blocking is a legal move occurring when one player obstructs another player's path with his body. The purpose of blocking is to prevent defensive players tackling the ball carrier, or to protect the quarterback while attempting to pass or hand-off the ball...
downfield on two Iowa defensive linemen on Gonzalez’s catch-and-run. Although a deep Buckeye defense adjusted well, starting freshman safety Anderson Russell suffered a season-ending knee injury on kickoff coverage in the 1st quarter.
Ohio State 35, Bowling Green 7
All-time record against Bowling Green: 4-0-0Ohio State easily defeated the Bowling Green Falcons in Ohio Stadium for their 13th straight win. Troy Smith completed 85% of his passes for three touchdowns and Antonio Pittman scored two others rushing. Ohio State led 21-0 at the half, and while the Falcons took the second half kickoff and completed an 8½-minute drive for a touchdown, the game was never in doubt. The Buckeyes replied with a 7-minute scoring drive, then after forcing BG to punt, Ted Ginn made his first significant return of the season to the OSU 43. On the next play Smith completed a long pass to Ginn for the final touchdown.
In addition to Smith’s 191 passing yards, Justin Zwick saw playing time in both halves, completing 4 of his 9 passes for 57 yards. Ginn had his best day as a receiver in 2006, catching 10 passes for 122 yards. Senior Roy Hall caught four passes for 50 yards. On defense, Ohio State adjusted to the Falcons’ first use of a variation of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
’s “pistol offense” (a shotgun variant
Shotgun formation
The shotgun formation is a formation used by the offensive team in American and Canadian football. This formation is used mainly for passing plays, although some teams use it as their base formation. In the shotgun, instead of the quarterback receiving the snap from center at the line of scrimmage,...
with a running back lined up behind the QB); BGSU produced a balanced mix of pass and run (179 yards and 160 yards), but 85 yards came on one drive and 54 of the rushing yards on a single run in the 4th quarter when both teams were playing their second strings. Freshman Kurt Coleman blocked a field goal attempt in the first half. Sophomore defensive end Vernon Gholston was a standout on defense, including a pass interception. Backup defensive back Andre Amos also made an interception late in the game on a 4th down play that replay officials bizarrely chose to review and reverse, even though the ball was Ohio State’s either way and no one had challenged the ruling.
The win was Ohio State’s 13th in a row since it resumed playing in-state opponents in 1997, and 29th straight in-state victory. The last Buckeye loss to an Ohio team was to Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in 1921.
Smith was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten. His game quarterback rating of 214.7 against BGSU raised his career rating to 158.1, the highest in Big Ten history.
Ohio State 38, Michigan State 7
All-time record against Michigan StateMichigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
: 25-12-0
Ohio State performed well in almost all facets of the game and defeated Michigan State 38-7. Both offense and defense performed at high levels, and the only Michigan State score (and 69 of its 198 yards) came against the OSU reserves, with a minute to play.
Ohio State fumbled the ball at its own 31 to Michigan State on its opening series but James Laurinaitis sacked Drew Stanton
Drew Stanton
Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:...
on third down and forced a Spartan punt. The Buckeyes then drove for the opening touchdown, with Antonio Pittman scoring in his 12th straight game. The Buckeyes scored 17 points in the 2nd quarter, including a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ted Ginn, his 6th career punt return for touchdown, establishing a new B-10 career record. The legitimacy of this record has been called into question after sports commentators noticed that there was an illegal block in the back penalty during that punt return that was not called. (If the call had been made there would have been no effect to the outcome of the game, but to the record only.) Marcus Freeman intercepted a pass at the Spartan 39 with 2 minutes remaining in the half, and the Buckeyes converted it for a score with a pass from Troy Smith to Anthony Gonzalez reminiscent of “The Catch
The Catch (American football)
The Catch refers to the winning touchdown reception by Dwight Clark off a Joe Montana pass in the January 10, 1982, NFC Championship Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers...
” to lead 24-0.
Ohio State controlled the game with defense in the second half, although offensively the 3rd quarter was highlighted by back-to-back end-around
End-around
The end-around is a play in American football in which a wide receiver crosses the backfield towards the opposite end of the line and receives a handoff directly from the quarterback. The receiver then may proceed to do one of two things: he either runs the ball towards the line of scrimmage in...
s by Gonzalez and Ginn, gaining 41 yards. Smith escaped a leg tackle by a Spartan defender and threw a touchdown pass to Brian Robiskie, and Chris Wells completed the Buckeye scoring with a touchdown run at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Statistically, Ohio State was balanced on offense, with 10 first downs each rushing and passing, and 182 of its 421 yards on the ground. Smith was 15 of 22 for 234 yards; Wells rushed for 53 and Pittman for 48; and Gonzalez had 7 receptions for 118 yards. The Buckeyes also had an 8-minute edge in time of possession. The defense had four sacks in addition to the interception, and ten tackles for loss, with Quinn Pitcock (3 solo tackles, including 2 sacks) and Jay Richardson (4 solo tackles) having outstanding days.
Ted Ginn was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Ohio State 44, Indiana 3
All-time record against IndianaIndiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
: 65-12-5
Ohio State spotted Indiana an early 3-0 lead, then crushed the Hoosiers with seven unanswered scoring drives to win 44-3.
In an early struggle for field position, Indiana pinned the Buckeyes inside their own 10 and forced a punt to midfield which was returned to the Ohio State 15. The defense held, forcing a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
, a lead that held up until two minutes left in the quarter, when Troy Smith capped a long drive with a scoring pass to tight end Rory Nicol. Smith went on to throw four touchdown passes on a 15 for 23 day passing, and wide receiver Ted Ginn also completed a touchdown pass to Nicol. Chris Wells scored the sixth Buckeye touchdown on a 12-yard run in the 4th quarter, and Aaron Pettrey added a 51-yard field goal. In addition to Nicol, tight end Jake Ballard caught a pass for a score, as did both Ginn and Anthony Gonzales. The defense, which again moved into first place in NCAA I-A scoring defense, was highlighted by Antonio Smith, who had 11 solo tackles (12 overall), 4 for losses including a sack, and a forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
. Malcolm Jenkins and Andre Amos each intercepted passes, and Jay Richardson recorded two of the Buckeyes' 4 sacks.
Ohio State had a perfectly balanced offense for the game, accruing 270 yards both passing and rushing. Antonio Pittman's scoring streak ended at 12 games but he rushed for 105 yards to lead all rushers. The defense allowed only 158 yards passing and 7 rushing, and Ohio State won its 15th straight game and 10th at home.
Troy Smith was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Offense (with Drew Stanton
Drew Stanton
Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:...
), and Antonio Smith on Defense (shared with Paul Posluszny
Paul Posluszny
Paul Michael Posluszny , commonly known as "Poz", is an American football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
).
2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or...
Ohio State 44, Minnesota 0
All-time record against MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
: 39-7-0
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
in Ohio Stadium, 44-0. Ohio State used both a dominating offense and a crushing defense to control the game, played under cool and very windy conditions. The shutout was Ohio State’s first since September 27, 2003. The shutout was preserved with two defensive stops on 4th down and short yardage, the second on a 4th-and-inches at the Ohio State 15 late in the game. Ohio State’s domination was such that it did not punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
at all during the game.
The Buckeyes dominated Minnesota in all statistics, outgaining them 484 to 182, out-rushing by 266 to 47, and out-passing them 218 yards to 135. Ohio State racked up 29 first downs to Minnesota’s 10, and had a 5:22 edge in time of possession. Ohio State turned the ball over on fumbles three times, including two plays in a row in the 2nd quarter, but intercepted Minnesota 3 times (by Antonio Smith, Jamario O’Neal, and Malcolm Jenkins). The Buckeyes’ 18 total interceptions for the season leads all Division I-A teams.
Antonio Pittman scored two of Ohio State’s 5 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball for 116 yards, and had two pass receptions for 47 yards. Chris Wells carried the ball for another 90 yards and scored once. Troy Smith threw for 183 yards and a touchdown on 14-21 passing, and scored a rushing touchdown on a long scramble. Justin Zwick added the other rushing score on a 4th quarter sneak. The sole touchdown catch was 18 yards to Brian Robiskie, his only catch of the day. Brian Hartline had four catches for 69 yards to lead all players.
Ohio State 17, Illinois 10
All-time record against IllinoisIllinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
: 60-29-4
In its poorest offensive performance of the season, Ohio State struggled against 2-7 Illinois but escaped with a 17-10 win. Illinois drove 80 yards in the last five minutes of the game to close the margin to a touchdown, but Ohio State recovered the onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
and managed to hold the ball until only 4 seconds were left in the game. Their punt pinned Illinois at the Illini three and the game ended on the next play.
Ohio State began strong, driving the ball 80 yards on its opening series for a Chris Wells touchdown. After Curtis Terry recovered an Illinois fumble, Ohio State then drove 38 yards for its second touchdown, a short rush by Antonio Pittman. However midway through the 2nd quarter Wells fumbled in the open field without contact, and the Buckeyes' offensive momentum slowed. They scored on a 50 yard field goal by Aaron Pettrey just before halftime but did not have another effective offensive series after that.
In the second half, the Buckeyes had three straight series of losses and were consistently out-muscled by an inspired and athletic Illinois defense the entire half, gaining just 27 yards. Troy Smith threw an interception with 5 minutes to play, but on the next play James Laurinaitis countered with an interception of his own. Even so Illinois forced a punt and drove for its only touchdown. Ohio State played well on defense until the final five minutes of the game, holding Illinois to 137 yards before their touchdown drive, but in the end the Illini outgained Ohio State 233 yards to 224, although having possession nearly twelve minutes less.
Ohio State 54, Northwestern 10
All-time record against NorthwesternNorthwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
: 57-14-1
Troy Smith tied a career high with four touchdown passes and the Buckeye defense forced five turnovers—each of which resulted in a touchdown—as the Buckeyes steamrolled overmatched Northwestern, 54-10. Smith had 185 yards passing. Freshman wideout Brian Hartline caught two of Smith’s touchdown passes; the other two went to Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn, Jr. Tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
Antonio Pittman had 80 yards on the ground. Pittman eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season, becoming the first Buckeye tailback since Eddie George
Eddie George
Edward Nathan "Eddie" George, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the Tennessee Titans both in Tennessee and in Houston when the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers, and spent his final season with the Dallas Cowboys...
(1994–1995) to accomplish that feat. Chris Wells added a career high 99 yards. Both Pittman and Chris Wells had a touchdown run. The Buckeyes outgained the Wildcats 425-297. The OSU defense tallied two interceptions, bringing the season total to 21. Senior safety Brandon Mitchell returned his INT 46 yards for his second career touchdown (his first came on an interception last year at Indiana).
54 points is the most that Ohio State has scored since defeating Pitt 72-0 in 1996.
The Buckeye rout, coupled with Michigan’s 34-3 defeat of Indiana, set the stage for the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in the rivalry’s storied history
Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
The Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, also known as The Game, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Wolverines of the University of Michigan and the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University...
.
Smith was named co-Player of the Week in the Big Ten on offense, his fifth weekly conference accolade of his career and his fourth in 2006, which tied him with six other players for the most offensive awards in a single year (the others were Indiana’s
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
Anthony Thompson
Anthony Thompson (football)
Anthony Thompson is a former professional American football running back and a current pastor at the Lighthouse Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana.-College career:...
(1989), Michigan’s
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
(1991), Wisconsin’s
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
Ron Dayne
Ron Dayne
Ron Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:...
(1999), Purdue’s
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
(2000) and Kyle Orton
Kyle Orton
Kyle Orton is an American football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue, where he started four straight bowl games. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(2004), and Penn State’s
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
Larry Johnson (2002).
Ohio State 42, Michigan 39
All-time record against MichiganMichigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
: 40-57-6
Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
played his last game in Columbus
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
against archrival
Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
The Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, also known as The Game, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Wolverines of the University of Michigan and the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University...
Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, in what was billed by some as The Game of the Century. He led the Buckeyes to a victory that won Ohio State the outright Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship, an undefeated season, and a berth in the BCS Championship Game on January 8, 2007.
Michigan took an early 7-0 lead on its opening drive, driving 80 yards and keeping the Buckeye defense completely off-balance. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
set up a 1-yard run for Mike Hart
Mike Hart (football player)
Leon Michael "Mike" Hart is a former American football running back and current offensive quality control coach for Eastern Michigan University. Hart played college football as a running back at the University of Michigan from 2004 to 2007 and holds the Michigan Wolverines career rushing record...
with an effective passing attack to Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. Ohio State immediately replied, however, tying the score when Smith hooked up with senior wideout Roy Hall for a 1-yard touchdown pass.
In the second quarter, freshman Chris Wells used a spin move and a hurdle of a tackler to break away for a 52-yard run that put the Buckeyes up 14-7. After a Wolverine punt, Smith used a superb play action fake on a 2nd and short to hit Ted Ginn
Ted Ginn, Jr.
-College career:OSU track coach Russ Rogers recruited Ginn to run track, believing that he could qualify for the 2008 Olympics. However, his track career was put on hold in order to focus on football. Ginn was recruited as a defensive back by Ohio State....
in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown pass. However, Henne drove the Wolverines 65 yards in 2 minutes for a touchdown to Adrian Arrington and appeared to take back the momentum of the game. The Buckeyes patiently drove the length of the field in the final two minutes of the half, and Smith completed his third touchdown pass, finding Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony E. Gonzalez is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Gonzalez attended St...
for the score.
In the second half, Ohio State gave up the ball on a three-and-out when Smith was ineffective on three passes. Michigan again appeared to take back the momentum with a scoring drive and a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
following an interception thrown by Smith at the Ohio State 25, but Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman
Antonio Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State....
found a wide gap in the Michigan defensive line and ran away from the Wolverine secondary for a 56-yard touchdown that gave Ohio State an 11-point lead again. With seconds left in the quarter, a bad snap by injured captain and center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Doug Datish in the shotgun
Shotgun formation
The shotgun formation is a formation used by the offensive team in American and Canadian football. This formation is used mainly for passing plays, although some teams use it as their base formation. In the shotgun, instead of the quarterback receiving the snap from center at the line of scrimmage,...
caused the ball to go over Smith’s head for a fumble recovered by Michigan at the Ohio State 9. Hart scored his third touchdown after the recovery nineteen seconds into the 4th quarter and the lead was again down to 4.
Later in the 4th quarter, Datish again turned over the ball on a bad snap after Ohio State had driven deep into Michigan territory, but Michigan was forced to punt. Sophomore wide receiver Brian Robiskie, who had made a key long gain in the 2nd quarter, then agilely
Agility
* Agility is a physical trait of an animal or person, and a component of physical fitness. It is the ability to change the body's position and direction with speed and precision.Agility may also refer to:In Sport:...
kept his balance in the front corner of the end zone for Smith’s fourth touchdown pass—a thirteen yarder—with only 5:38 remaining.
Michigan moved the ball on a long drive, but were stopped at midfield. On 4th down, Henne threw deep downfield for an incomplete pass; however, pass interference was called on safety Jamario O’Neal, and the Wolverines were still alive. Henne passed for a 16-yard score and a two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
, providing the final margin. Their onside kick attempt was recovered by Ted Ginn, Jr. on the fly and retained after a hard hit by the Wolverine “hands” team. With Michigan out of timeouts, Pittman carried the ball for a first down on third and one, and the clock expired.
For Troy Smith, the victory was his third over Michigan, making him the first Ohio State quarterback to win three consecutive games over Michigan since Tippy Dye
Tippy Dye
William Henry Harrison "Tippy" Dye is a noted former college athlete, coach, and athletic director in the United States. As a basketball head coach, Dye led the University of Washington to their only NCAA Final Four appearance...
(who attended the 2006 game) (1934–1936). Smith completed 29 of 41 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns, hitting eight different receivers, and was sacked only once. Ginn caught 8 for 104 yards, Robiskie 7 for 89 yards, Gonzalez 4 for 50 yards, and Hall 3 for 38 yards, all four scoring touchdowns. Against Michigan’s top-rated rushing defense, Pittman carried the ball 18 times for 139 yards and Wells 5 times for 56. Overall, Ohio State riddled the highly-touted Wolverine defense for 503 total yards (187 on the ground), and against its top-ranked third-down average (25%), converted six out of eleven (54.5%). The 42 points scored by Ohio State is the most it has scored against Michigan since 1968, when Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
’s “Super Sophomores” (Rex Kern
Rex Kern
Rex William Kern is a former American football player. He played quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970, and played professional football in the National Football League at defensive back for the Baltimore Colts and Buffalo Bills...
, John Brockington
John Brockington
John Stanley Brockington is a former American football running back. He was the National Football League's Green Bay Packers' 1st round draft choice out of the Ohio State University, and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971.-College career:Brockington played halfback and fullback for...
, Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum
John David Tatum was an American football defensive back who played ten seasons from 1971 through 1980 for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League...
, Jim Stillwagon
Jim Stillwagon
Jim Stillwagon is a former all star American college football player and Canadian Football League player.Stillwagon was a three-year starter with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was a consensus All-America selection as a junior and senior, and won the Outland Trophy and was the first-ever winner of...
, et al.) led Ohio State to a 50-14 blowout of the Wolverines.
Although giving up points far in excess of its season average, and being hard-pressed at times, the Buckeye defense sacked Henne four times, held Michigan to four conversions on thirteen 3rd down attempts, and forced 5 punts and a turnover on downs.
Troy Smith received his fifth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award for the 2006 season, setting a new conference record for most received in a single season. This honor was the sixth of his career.
BCS National Championship Game - Florida 41, Ohio State 14
With Ohio State securing a spot in the BCS National Championship game at the University of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
, they faced the Florida Gators
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
. It was the first meeting between the schools in football.
Florida defeated Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
in the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
38-28 to secure the number two position in the final BCS standings over the Michigan Wolverines, and finished the regular season at 12-1. Florida's only defeat during 2006 came on the road at Auburn’s
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
Jordan-Hare Stadium
Jordan-Hare Stadium
Jordan–Hare Stadium is the playing venue for Auburn University's football team located on campus in Auburn, Alabama, USA. The stadium is named for Ralph "Shug" Jordan, the University's winningest football coach, and Cliff Hare, a member of Auburn's first football team as well as Dean of the Auburn...
in the seventh week of the season.
Ohio State scored on the opening play of the game with a kickoff return by Ted Ginn Jr, but it would be the last play of the game (and his college career) for him as he left the game with a foot injury sustained during his touchdown celebration. Under relentless pressure from the Gator's defensive line, QB Troy Smith posted the worst game of his career being sacked 5 times and completing only 4 passes (on 14 throws for 35 yards), 1 interception, 1 fumble and -29 yards on sacks.
Final depth chart
Roster
| (as of 8/22/2006) | ||||||
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Fullbacks
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive line
Defensive Line
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
|
Punters
Kickers
Long Snappers
Underscoring indicates first on depth chart |
|||
Coaching staff
- Jim TresselJim TresselJames Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
- Head Coach - 6th year - Jim BollmanJim BollmanJim Bollman is the current offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. Bollman has been the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes since 2001, covering the entire tenure of head coach Jim Tressel.-External links:...
- Offensive Coordinator/Offensive line - 5th year - Jim HeacockJim HeacockJim Heacock is the defensive coordinator of the Ohio State University football team. Heacock has been a coach since 1971. He was an assistant coach for the University of Washington Huskies from 1983–1987. As the team prepared for its bowl game in 1987 Heacock accepted a job as the head...
- Defensive Coordinator/Defensive line - 10th year - Joe Daniels - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks - 5th year
- Darrell HazellDarrell HazellDarrell Hazell is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at Kent State University.A native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Hazell attended Muskingum University starting in the fall of 1982. He played on the football team as a starter for his final three years at the school...
- Asst. Head Coach/Wide Receivers - 1st year - John Peterson - Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends - 2nd year
- Dick Tressel - Running Backs - 5th year
- Luke FickellLuke Fickell-External links:*...
- Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers - 4th year - Tim BeckmanTim Beckman-External links:...
- Defensive Backs - 1st year - Paul Haynes - Defensive Backs - 1st year
National award winners
- Troy SmithTroy SmithTroy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
was awarded the Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
for best college football player of the year - Troy Smith was named the Associated Press Player of the Year.
- James LaurinaitisJames Laurinaitis-St. Louis Rams:Laurinaitis was drafted in the 2nd round 35th overall by the St. Louis Rams. On July 29, 2009, he signed a four-year, $5.1 million contract. The deal contained $3.3 million guaranteed...
received the Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
for best defensive player - Troy Smith was awarded the Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
for best college football player of the year, and the Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
for top college quarterback - Troy Smith, Quinn PitcockQuinn PitcockQuinn Michael Pitcock is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, and James LaurinaitisJames Laurinaitis-St. Louis Rams:Laurinaitis was drafted in the 2nd round 35th overall by the St. Louis Rams. On July 29, 2009, he signed a four-year, $5.1 million contract. The deal contained $3.3 million guaranteed...
were named to the first team of both the Associated Press and Walter Camp All-Americans, and Ted Ginn Jr. was named to the second team. - Joel Penton was awarded the Wuerffel TrophyWuerffel TrophyThe Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." It is named for Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, a former football...
Conference honors
- Troy SmithTroy SmithTroy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
- Troy SmithTroy SmithTroy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
was awarded Big Ten Silver Football
Team awards
- Troy Smith – Most valuable player
- Antonio Smith – Bo Rein Award (most inspirational player)
- Stan White Jr. – John W. Galbreath Award (excellence in academics)
- Quinn Pitcock – Bill Willis Award (most outstanding defensive player)
- David Patterson – Jim Marshall Warrior Award
- Ted Ginn Jr. – Archie Griffin Award (most outstanding offensive player)
- Chris Wells – Most outstanding freshman offensive player
- Donald Washington – Most outstanding freshman defensive player
- Antonio Pittman – Rex Kern Offensive Back Award
- James Laurinaitis – Randy Gradishar Linebacker Award
- Drew Norman – Ike Kelley Special Teams Award
- Brandon Mitchell – Arnie Chonko Defensive Back Award
- Jay Richardson – Jack Stephenson Defensive Lineman Award
- Anthony Gonzalez – Paul Warfield Outstanding Receiver Award
- Doug Datish – Jim Parker Offensive Lineman Award (shared)
- T. J. Downing – Jim Parker Offensive Lineman Award (shared)
- Malcolm Jenkins – SAE Homecoming Award
- Antonio Smith – Agonis Club Award
2007 NFL draftees
| Player | Round | Pick | Position | NFL Club |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | 1 | 9 | Wide Receiver | Miami Dolphins 2007 Miami Dolphins season The 2007 Miami Dolphins season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 42nd season overall. The team nearly went winless for the season, but on December 16, the third to last game of the regular season, they beat the Baltimore Ravens, giving them a final record of 1–15... |
| Anthony Gonzalez Anthony Gonzalez Anthony E. Gonzalez is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Gonzalez attended St... |
1 | 32 | Wide Receiver | Indianapolis Colts 2007 Indianapolis Colts season The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to... |
| Quinn Pitcock Quinn Pitcock Quinn Michael Pitcock is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
3 | 98 | Defensive Tackle | Indianapolis Colts 2007 Indianapolis Colts season The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to... |
| Antonio Pittman Antonio Pittman Antonio Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.... |
4 | 107 | Running Back | New Orleans Saints 2007 New Orleans Saints season -Game summary:The 2007 New Orleans Saints began their regular season in the annual Thursday night Kickoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning completed a 27-yard TD pass to WR Marvin... |
| Jay Richardson Jay Richardson Jay Richardson is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he majored in African Studies... |
5 | 138 | Defensive End | Oakland Raiders 2007 Oakland Raiders season The 2007 Oakland Raiders season was the team's forty-eight season overall. The team finished the season with a 4–12 record. It began with the team's fourth head coach in six seasons. By virtue of the team's 2–14 finish in 2006 , they acquired the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft... |
| Roy Hall Roy Hall Roy Hall is an American football wide receiver for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
5 | 169 | Wide Receiver | Indianapolis Colts 2007 Indianapolis Colts season The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to... |
| Troy Smith Troy Smith Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He... |
5 | 174 | Quarterback | Baltimore Ravens 2007 Baltimore Ravens season -Game summary:The Ravens began their 2007 campaign on the road against their AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals, in the first game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the first quarter, Baltimore lost two fumbles early on, with the Bengals turning the second fumble into QB Carson... |
| Doug Datish Doug Datish Doug Datish is a former American football center of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
6 | 198 | Center | Atlanta Falcons |