|
|
 |
|
Washington Huskies |
Ohio State Buckeyes © |
|
Played August 30, 2003 at Ohio Stadium Columbus, Ohio |
|
Teams' Belt Records
|
Team |
Belt Reigns |
Overall Record |
Home Record |
Away Record |
Neutral Record |
||||||||||||
|
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
||
| Washington | 10 | 27 | 14 | 0 | .659 | 16 | 5 | 0 | .762 | 11 | 8 | 0 | .579 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Ohio State © | 4 | 14 | 6 | 1 | .690 | 6 | 1 | 1 | .813 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 |
Previous Belt Meetings: None
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
|
|
Washington |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
|
Ohio State |
14 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
28 |
The 2nd ranked Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel welcomed the 17th ranked Washington Huskies with first-year coach Keith Gilbertson to the Horseshoe in the season opener for both teams. The controversy surrounding the Buckeyes had been an NCAA investigation into the team’s academic records that resulted in no penalties & a false police report by star RB Maurice Clarett that eventually led to his banishment from the team. Ohio State still had a stifling defense, excellent special teams, & a conservative, ball-control offense led by QB Craig Krenzel. The off-field matters seemed little bother to the on-field performance of the defense as Ohio State played perfect “Tressel Ball” & posted a 28-9 win. The Buckeyes scored twice in the 1st quarter on an 8-play, 72-yard drive finished by a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Maurice Hall & on a 7-play, 78-yard drive capped by Krenzel’s 23-yard scoring run. The Buckeyes special teams set-up the next score when P B.J. Sander pinned the Huskies at their own 1-yard line & the defense forced Washington to punt from their own end zone. Ohio State's All-Big 10 CB Chris Gamble returned the ball to the Huskies’ 25-yard line & Krenzel scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with just 0:11 left before halftime as the Buckeyes took a 21-0 lead. The Huskies got on the board with their first drive of the 2nd half with a 46-yard field goal by PK Evan Knudson. Ohio State added a 15-yard touchdown run by RB Lydell Ross for a 28-3 Buckeye advantage. Washington’s longest drive of the game resulted in their only touchdown. With only 3:27 to play, QB Cody Pickett finished a 7-play, 57-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run for the final points of the game. Washington’s offense amassed only 7 yards rushing & converted just 2 of 17 third down chances against the Ohio State defense. Krenzel finished with 203 yards passing while rushing for 27 yards with two touchdowns & DE Simon Fraser had 7 tackles with a sack for the Buckeyes’ defense. Pickett threw for 255 yards & All-Pac 10 WR Reggie Williams had 10 catches for 107 yards in the losing effort. Ohio State finished the season 11-2; ranked 4th nationally while the Huskies finished 6-6. Washington would play for The Belt again in 2004.
