Some of you weren’t around when this all happened, but there’s no doubt you’ve seen or hear about the famous “Holy Buckeye” play against Purdue in 2002.
Ohio State had gone on an improbable run through the first ten games of the season and were undefeated and looking to finish off things off and potentially make its way to the BCS National Championship Game. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 3 and facing the challenge of going to West Lafayette to play a hard-luck Purdue team that was better than its record indicated. Add that to playing on the road against a team and fans looking to spoil the season for Ohio State, and it turned into a dogfight.
The Boilermakers made it apparent early on that they came to play. The defense of Purdue throttled OSU for most of the game, allowing just a field goal barely as time expired in the first half.
Long story short, Purdue took the lead in the 4th quarter on a field goal to go up 6-3, and that set the stage for one of the most memorable moments in Ohio State football history.
Facing a 4th and 1 at Purdue’s 37-yard line, Krenzel dropped back and inexplicably threw a go-route deep down the left side of the field to Michael Jenkins who had beaten the Boilermaker defensive back by a step. He hauled in the touchdown pass and announcer Brent Musburger — who is never one short of hyperbole — exclaimed “Holy Buckeye.”
Ohio State then had to fend off a desperate attempt by Purdue to drive down the field, but that would end when two-way star Chris Gamble intercepted a deep ball to seal the deal.
If you ever wanted a further inside look at some of the moments associated with that game and play, BTN did a segment on the game and solicited the help of quarterback Craig Krenzel, receiver Michael Jenkins, and head coach Jim Tressel.
There are some interesting tidbits that I didn’t know at the time, and believe it’s worth your time to watch as well. Click on the below thanks to the BTN YouTube channel.
I can remember watching this game. I couldn’t watch the entire thing because I worked in the produce department of a local Columbus retailer. Thankfully, my boss knew what a big fan I was and summoned me back to the break room when this game was getting further along into the 4th quarter. I got to see “Holy Buckeye” and the ending of the game. To say the break room erupted would be a gross understatement. We all went back to work like a mass exodus as soon as Gamble intercepted the pass.
I apologize if you tried to buy bananas that day and they weren’t filled. There are more important things in life.
At the time, we all knew it was a big play, and it was refreshing to see this Ohio State team win so many close games after living through some pretty miserable endings in years past. However, I’d be lying if I said I knew it would be one of the most revered plays in Ohio State lore.
What a memory.
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