Washington Huskies	Ohio State Buckeyes ©
Played August 30, 2003 at Ohio Stadium

  

 

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

 

The 2^nd ranked Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel welcomed the 17^th 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 1^st 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.  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 2^nd 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 4^th nationally while the Huskies finished 6-6.  Washington would play for The Belt again in 2004.

 

 

 

San Diego State Aztecs	Ohio State Buckeyes ©
Played September 6, 2003 at Ohio Stadium

  

 

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
San Diego State	0	0	3	0	.000					0	3	0	.000
Ohio State ©	4	15	6	1	.705	7	1	1	.833	6	0	0	1.000	2	5	0	.286

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 1-0 San Diego State Aztecs of coach Tom Craft met the 2^nd ranked, 1-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel in a game that tested the Buckeyes’ commitment to “Tressel Ball”.  The Buckeyes under Tressel had played a style of football that was dependent on a strong defense, excellent special teams, & an offense that did not turn the ball over.  The Aztec’s defense tested that game plan by keeping the Buckeyes’ offense out of the end zone but Ohio State still was able to find a way to win 16-13.  QB Craig Krenzel’s first play of the game resulted in an interception by CB Jacob Elimimian that he returned 14 yards to the Buckeyes 23-yard line.  Four plays later, QB Matt Dlugolecki hit WR Wesley Williams for a touchdown & the Aztecs had a 7-0 lead.  Ohio State responded with a 9-play, 33-yard drive resulting in a 38-yard field goal from PK Mike Nugent.  The Aztec’s were driving for another score when All-American S Will Allen intercepted a Dlugolecki pass at the Buckeyes goal line & raced 100 yards for a touchdown giving Ohio State a 10-7 advantage.  San Diego State’s next drive also resulted in another Dlugolecki interception, this one by LB Robert Reynolds who returned it to the Aztec’s 23-yard line.  Nugent hit a 32-yard field goal this time as Ohio State took a 13-7 lead to halftime.  The 2^nd half saw both defenses take control of the game.  A fumble by Krenzel resulted in San Diego State getting a 47-yard field goal from PK J.C. Mejia for the only points of the 3^rd quarter but they still trailed 13-10 as the 4^th quarter started.  An Aztec fumble recovered by DT David Patterson gave the Buckeyes the ball at the San Diego State 21-yard line but again the offense could not move so Nugent added his third field goal, this one from 35 yards, giving Ohio State a 16-10 lead.  Following the Buckeyes’ field goal, the Aztecs were able to put together their longest drive of the half, 8 plays over 58 yards.  But a sack by Buckeye LB Bobby Carpenter forced the Aztecs to settle for a 46-yard field goal by Mejia making the score Ohio State 16, San Diego State 13.  The Aztecs didn’t threaten again as Ohio State escaped with a much tighter than expected win.  San Diego State actually out gained the Buckeyes 216 to 196 but it was the defense & special teams that spelled the difference.  Krenzel was held to 76 yards passing on just five completions while Buckeyes were held to just 120 yards rushing.  Dlugolecki threw for 189 yards but was sacked three times & intercepted twice while All-MWC RB Lynell Hamilton was held to 73 yards rushing.  Ohio State’s defense held the Aztecs to 28 yards rushing & All-Big Ten LB A.J. Hawk had four tackles with two sacks.  Ohio State finished the season 11-2; ranked 4^th nationally while the Aztecs finished 6-6.  San Diego State has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

North Carolina State Wolfpack	Ohio State Buckeyes ©
Played September 13, 2003 at Ohio Stadium

  

 

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
North Carolina State	2	4	2	0	.667	2	1	0	.667	2	1	0	.667
Ohio State ©	4	16	6	1	.717	8	1	1	.850	6	0	0	1.000	2	5	0	.286

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 24^th ranked, 1-1 North Carolina State Wolfpack of coach Chuck Amato met the 3^rd ranked, 2-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel.  These two teams battled for three overtimes before Ohio State retained The Belt with a 44-38 victory in the longest game in Belt history.  The Buckeyes second possession of the game saw them drive 70 yards in 7 plays with QB Craig Krenzel hitting WR Michael Jenkins on a 44-yard touchdown pass.  North Carolina State fumbled the ensuing kickoff & All-American S Will Allen recovered it giving the Buckeyes the ball at the Wolfpack 3-yard line.  RB Lydell Ross would score from 2 yards giving Ohio State a 14-0 lead.  Both defenses took over the 2^nd quarter before North Carolina State started a drive at their own 26 yard line with 1:33 to play in the half.  All-ACC QB Philip Rivers drove the Wolfpack 74 yards in 8 plays hitting All-ACC WR Jerricho Cotchery on an 11-yard touchdown pass before the intermission.  Late in the 3^rd quarter, All-Big Ten LB A.J. Hawk intercepted a Rivers pass & returned it 55 yards giving the Buckeyes the ball at the Wolfpack 7-yard line.  North Carolina State’s defense held the Buckeyes to a 22-yard field goal from PK Mike Nugent & Ohio State led 17-7 as the 3^rd quarter ended.  Another Rivers interception, this one by S Brandon Mitchell, gave the Buckeyes the ball at the Wolfpack 42-yard line & Krenzel scored on a 6-yard run as they pushed the lead to 24-7 but North Carolina State was ready to rally.  Ohio State WR Santonio Holmes fumbled a punt giving the Wolfpack the ball on Ohio State’s 17-yard line &, four plays later; Rivers hit Cotchery on a 9-yard touchdown pass.  On the next Buckeye possession, Wolfpack CB A.J. Davis intercepted a  Krenzel pass giving North Carolina State the ball back at the OSU 12-yard line.  The defense stopped the Wolfpack as they settled for a 24-yard field goal by PK Adam Kiker.  North Carolina State’s defense forced a punt & Rivers had a chance from his own 14-yard line with just 3:18 to play.  He used short passes that RB T.A. McLendon turned into gains of 18 & 21 yards to get the Wolfpack into position for the tying score.  TE T.J. Williams caught the 5-yard scoring pass with just 0:21 to play tying the game at 24-24.  Rivers completed all six of his passes on the 86-yard, 8-play drive.  In the first overtime, Krenzel completed 3 of 4 passes the last being a 10-yard touchdown to All-Big Ten TE Ben Hartsock for a 31-24 lead.  North Carolina State’s response saw Rivers hit McLendon for a 17-yard gain &, after a sack, Rivers connected with WR Tramain Hall on a 17-yard pass for the tying score.  As the teams switched ends of the field, the Wolfpack had the first chance in the second overtime.  The Buckeyes defense seemed to be tightening but a pass interference call got the Wolfpack to the 2-yard line & McLendon took a handoff around the right side for the go-ahead score.  Krenzel again responded with 2 short completions & a 5-yard run before connecting with TE Ryan Hamby on a 2-yard touchdown that tied the score at 38-38.  In the third overtime, the teams are required to go for a 2-point conversion if they score a touchdown.  Krenzel completed 4 of 5 passes with the touchdown coming on a 7-yard slant to Jenkins but the conversion was stopped when LB Pat Thomas tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage & the pass fell incomplete.  Ohio State led 44-38 as the Wolfpack tried for their winning score.  Two completions & three Ohio State penalties gave North Carolina State a first & goal at the 4-yard line.  Rivers ran for 2 yards on first down & his pass to Hall was incomplete on second down.  On third down, All-American DE Will Smith & DT Tim Anderson stopped Rivers at the 1-yard line.  Fourth down saw McLendon take a pitch & try to make the last yard over left tackle but he was hit by Hawk & by Allen keeping him inches out of the end zone giving the Buckeyes a thrilling 44-38 triple overtime win.  Krenzel finished with 273 yards passing with 4 touchdowns but 3 interceptions & Jenkins had 7 catches for 124 yards with his 2 scores.  Rivers finished with 315 yards passing with 4 touchdowns but 2 interceptions.  Ohio State finished the season 11-2; ranked 4^th nationally while the Wolfpack finished 8-5.  North Carolina State has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

Bowling Green Falcons	Ohio State Buckeyes ©
Played September 20, 2003 at Ohio Stadium

  

 

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
Bowling Green	0	0	1	0	.000					0	1	0	.000
Ohio State ©	4	17	6	1	.729	9	1	1	.864	6	0	0	1.000	2	5	0	.286

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 5^th ranked, 3-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel welcomed the 3-0 Bowling Green Falcons of first-year coach Gregg Brandon to the Horseshoe.  Bowling Green had won their last five games against teams from BCS conferences & Ohio State played without starting QB Craig Krenzel out due to injury.  The Buckeyes again depended on a field position strategy & strong defense to overcome the Falcons upset bid in a 24-17 Ohio State victory.  In the 1^st quarter, Buckeye CB Dustin Fox returned an intercepted pass from Falcons QB Josh Harris to the Bowling Green 29-yard line.  Six plays later, QB Scott McMullen connected with WR Drew Carter from 7 yards for a 7-0 Ohio State lead.  The Falcons responded with an 87-yard, 13-play drive with Harris hitting WR Cornelius McGrady on a 7-yard touchdown pass tying the game at 7-7.  Buckeyes DE Simon Fraser recovered a fumble by Harris that Ohio State turned into a 47-yard field goal from PK Mike Nugent for a 10-7 lead.  RB Lydell Ross broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run giving the Buckeyes a 17-7 advantage at the half.  Neither team scored in the 3^rd quarter & the Buckeyes pushed the lead to 24-7 when Ross scored on a 3-yard run with 8:46 left to play.  Bowling Green responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive with Harris hitting WR Cole Magner from 25 yards for the touchdown.  The Falcons All-MAC CB Janssen Patton recovered an onside kick with 3:24 left to play & with 1:46 left, PK Shaun Suisham hit from 33 yards as Bowling Green closed to 24-17.  Ohio State All-Big Ten TE Ben Hartsock recovered the next onside kick but the Falcons forced a punt & took possession at their own 24-yard line with 0:42 to play.  All-American S Will Allen intercepted Harris’ last pass as time expired preserving the 24-17 win for the Buckeyes.  McMullen finished with 118 yards passing with a touchdown & an interception while being sacked times while RB Maurice Hall had 107 yards rushing & Ross added 94 yards rushing to his 2 scores.  Harris finished with 326 yards passing with 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, & 4 sacks while Magner had 13 catches for 168 yards with his score for Bowling Green.  Ohio State finished the season 11-2; ranked 4^th nationally while the Falcons finished 11-3 & ranked 23^rd nationally.  Bowling Green would play for The Belt again in 2006.

 

 

 

Northwestern Wildcats	Ohio State Buckeyes ©
Played September 27, 2003 at Ohio Stadium

  

 

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
Northwestern	0	0	2	0	.000	0	2	0	.000
Ohio State ©	4	18	6	1	.740	10	1	1	.875	6	0	0	1.000	2	5	0	.286

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 4^th ranked, 4-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel opened their Big Ten season against the 2-2 Northwestern Wildcats of coach Randy Walker.  Ohio State played without starting QB Craig Krenzel out due to an elbow injury & the defense was again be in the spotlight as the Buckeyes tried to defend their 4-game Belt reign.  The Buckeyes defense held the Wildcats spread offense to 64 yards passing & 185 total yards on their way to a 20-0 shutout win.  QB Scott McMullen threw for 166 yards with a touchdown as well as an interception but it was the Buckeye defense that starred.  All-Big Ten LB A.J. Hawk had 13 total tackles including 2 for loss & All-American DE Will Smith had 1 ½ sacks in the shutout.  Northwestern only got into Ohio State territory twice & both resulted in missed field goals.  The Buckeyes got touchdowns from RB Lydell Ross on a 12-yard run & TE Ryan Hamby on a 1-yard pass from McMullen.  PK Mike Nugent added field goals from 32 & 42 yards to account for the other points.  Northwestern QB Brett Basanez was held to just 64 yards passing & was sacked twice in the loss.  Ohio State finished the season 11-2; ranked 4^th nationally while the Wildcats finished 6-7.  Northwestern would play for The Belt again in 6 weeks.

 

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes ©	Wisconsin Badgers
Played October 11, 2003 at Camp Randall Stadium

  

 

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
Ohio State ©	4	19	6	1	.750	11	1	1	.885	6	0	0	1.000	2	5	0	.286
Wisconsin	1	1	2	0	.333	1	1	0	.500	0	1	0	.000

 

 

The 3^rd ranked, 5-0 Ohio State Buckeyes with coach Jim Tressel made their first road trip as Belt Champion to Camp Randall Stadium to meet the 23^rd ranked, 5-1 Wisconsin Badgers of coach Barry Alvarez.  The Buckeyes had shown little offense throughout the season except for a 44-point explosion in a triple overtime games against North Carolina State & it would surely cost them a game at some point.  Wisconsin would be the team to take advantage of that when a single mistake by All-Big Ten CB Chris Gamble cost the Buckeyes their Belt Championship in a 17-10 Wisconsin win.  Wisconsin held the Buckeyes to 69 yards rushing & 3 of 12 on third down conversions while keeping the Buckeyes out of the end zone until the 4^th quarter.  With 6:09 to play QB Craig Krenzel hit WR Michael Jenkins on a 6-yard touchdown that tied to score at 10-10 & it looked the Ohio State might pull out this game they way they had so many in the past 2 seasons but a single mistake would put Wisconsin in the driver’s seat.  Late in the 3^rd quarter, Badger QB Jim Sorgi was knocked out of the game when LB Robert Reynolds shoved his fingers into his throat causing Sorgi breathing problems.  The play was not flagged but it cost Wisconsin their starting quarterback.  Back-up QB Matt Schabert had been unable to move the Badgers against the Ohio State defense & after the Buckeyes tied the score at 10-10 it seemed just another three & out by the Ohio State defense would give the Belt holders what they needed for a win.  With 5:30 left & Wisconsin facing a 2 & 9 from their own 21-yard line, Schabert dropped to pass as All-Big Ten WR Lee Evans ran an out pattern.  As Gamble tried to jump the out route, Evans turned up field & Schabert hit him in stride for his only catch of the day; a 79-yard touchdown giving the Badgers a 17-10 lead.  Wisconsin forced the Buckeyes to punt on their last possession & then ran out the clock to claim their second Belt Championship & first since 1981.  Krenzel finished with 202 yards passing with a touchdown, an interception, & was sacked 3 times.  RB Booker Stanley had 125 yards with a touchdown for the Badgers.  The Buckeyes finished the season 11-2; ranked 4^th nationally while the Badgers finished 7-6.  Ohio State would play for The Belt again in 6 weeks.

 

 

 

Purdue Boilermakers	Wisconsin Badgers ©
Played October 18, 2003 at Camp Randall Stadium

  

 

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
Purdue	1	1	4	0	.200	0	2	0	.000	1	2	0	.333
Wisconsin ©	2	2	2	0	.500	2	1	0	.667	0	1	0	.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 14^th ranked, 6-1 Wisconsin Badgers of coach Barry Alvarez, fresh off their upset of Ohio State, welcomed the 13^th ranked, 5-1 Purdue Boilermakers of coach Joe Tiller.  Purdue QB Kyle Orton starred as Purdue escaped Camp Randall with a 26-23 victory when PK Ben Jones hit a field goal with just 0:03 left in the game to claim The Belt for the Boilermakers.  The Boilermakers opened a 14-0, 1^st quarter lead when RB Jerod Void scored from 2 yards & Orton hit WR Taylor Stubblefield on a 6-yard touchdown pass.  The Badgers got a 28-yard touchdown run from RB Anthony Davis & LB Jeff Mack returned an Orton fumble 55 yards for a touchdown but PK Mike Allen missed the extra-point leaving Wisconsin behind 14-13.  Jones added a 42-yard field goal as the teams went to halftime with Purdue leading 17-13.  Jones added a 20-yard field goal for the only points of the 3^rd quarter.  After Allen hit a field goal from 25 yards & Jones connected from 26 yards, the Boilermakers defense seemed to have the game in hand with a 23-16 advantage.  The Badgers got the spark they needed when All-Big Ten DB Jim Leonhard returned a punt 63 yards for the tying score with 2:55 to play.  Orton then drove the Boilermakers inside the Wisconsin 5-yard line & Jones hit an 18-yard field goal with just 0:03 to play giving Purdue their first Belt title since 1974.  Orton finished with 411 yards passing, Stubblefield had 16 catches for 130 yards, & WR John Standeford had 14 catches for 184 yards in the win.  Wisconsin QB Jim Sorgi threw for 118 yards with an interception while All-Big Ten WR Lee Evans had 3 catches for 76 yards in the loss.  The Badgers finished the season 7-6 while the Boilermakers finished 9-4 & ranked 18^th nationally.  Wisconsin has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

Purdue Boilermakers ©	Michigan Wolverines
Played October 25, 2003 at Michigan Stadium

  

 

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
Purdue ©	2	2	4	0	.333	0	2	0	.000	2	2	0	.500
Michigan	5	15	10	0	.600	8	4	0	.667	6	3	0	.667	1	3	0	.250

 

 

The 10^th ranked, 6-1 Purdue Boilermakers of coach Joe Tiller brought The Belt to Ann Arbor to meet the 13^th ranked, 6-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Lloyd Carr.  Michigan held the Purdue spread offense to 58 yards rushing & 242 total yards on their way to a 31-3 victory to claim The Belt for the 6^th time but first time since 1984.  The Wolverines opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown pass from All-Big Ten QB John Navarre to All-Big Ten WR Braylon Edwards.  Michigan took a 14-0 lead as the 1^st quarter ended when WR Steve Breaston scored on a 21-yard run.  The Boilermakers only points of the day came early in the 3^rd quarter when PK Ben Jones hit a 27-yard field goal but the rest of the game belong to Michigan.  Navarre & Edwards connected for a 26-yard touchdown pass for a 21-3 edge.  Purdue RB Brandon Jones fumbled in the end zone after a hit by Michigan LB Carl Diggs.  CB Markus Curry recovered the fumble for another Wolverine touchdown.  Michigan closed the scoring with a 27-yard field goal by PK Garrett Rivas.  Purdue QB Kyle Orton, who had thrown for 411 yards against Wisconsin, was held to 184 yards passing with 2 interceptions.  Navarre threw for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns & Edwards had 6 catches for 86 yards with 2 touchdowns to lead the offense.  The Boilermakers finished the season 9-4; ranked 18^th nationally while the Wolverines finished 10-3, Big Ten Champions, & ranked 6^th nationally.  Purdue has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines ©	Michigan State Spartans
Played November 1, 2003 at Spartan Stadium

  

 

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
Michigan ©	6	16	10	0	.615	9	4	0	.692	6	3	0	.667	1	3	0	.250
Michigan State	0	0	4	0	.000	0	1	0	.000	0	3	0	.000

The 11^th ranked, 7-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Lloyd Carr traveled to East Lansing to meet their in-state rival, the 9^th ranked, 7-1 Michigan State Spartans of first-year coach John L. Smith.  All-American RB Chris Perry rushed for 219 yards with a touchdown while All-Big Ten QB John Navarre threw for 3 touchdowns in a 27-20 Wolverine victory.  Michigan scored early in the 2^nd quarter when Perry capped a 10-play, 55-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.  The Spartans had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from PK Dave Rayner after an 11-play, 74-yard drive.  After exchanging punts, Navarre connected with All-Big Ten WR Braylon Edwards for a 40-yard touchdown pass giving Michigan a 13-3 halftime lead.  The 3^rd quarter saw Michigan push the lead to 20-7 when Navarre connected with TE Andy Mignery on a 26-yard touchdown pass.  Michigan State came right back on the next snap when QB Jeff Smoker hit WR Agim Shabaj for a 73-yard touchdown pass keeping the Wolverines within sight at 20-10 as the 4^th quarter started.  Navarre’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Edwards made the score 27-10 with 13:31 to play.  The Spartans came right back & got a field goal of 31 yards from Rayner with 10:32 to play.  As Michigan was driving for another score, Michigan State S Robert Flagg sacked Navarre who fumbled.  DE Clifford Dukes picked-up the ball & went 65 yards as the Spartans closed to 27-20 with 6:03 to play.  Michigan used Perry to run the clock down before giving the ball back to the Spartans at their own 20-yard line with 1:06 left.  Smoker completed 3 short passes but was unable to get Michigan State past midfield & his final pass was intercepted by Michigan LB Scott McClintock as time expired.  Navarre finished with 223 yards passing added to his 3 touchdowns & Edwards added 7 catches for 103 yards with his 2 touchdowns.  Smoker finished with 254 yards with a touchdown & Shabaj added 4 catches for 106 yards with his touchdown.  Michigan finished the season 10-3; Big Ten Champions, ranked 6^th nationally while the Spartans finished 8-5.  Michigan State has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines ©	Northwestern Wildcats
Played November 15, 2003 at Ryan Field

  

 

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
Michigan ©	6	17	10	0	.630	9	4	0	.692	7	3	0	.700	1	3	0	.250
Northwestern	0	0	3	0	.000	0	2	0	.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                        Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 5^th ranked, 8-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Lloyd Carr traveled to Evanston to meet the 5-5 Northwestern Wildcats of coach Randy Walker.  The Wildcats had played for The Belt earlier in the season losing to Ohio State & over the history of The Belt Northwestern had lost all three title games they had played scoring a total of 3 points.  The trio of All-American RB Chris Perry, All-Big Ten QB John Navarre, & All-Big Ten WR Braylon Edwards led Michigan to a 41-10 rout of the Wildcats.  Perry scored on runs of 2 & 1 yards while Navarre threw touchdown passes of 26 yards to Edwards & 22 yards to WR Jason Avant, who made a spectacular one-handed catch, as Michigan took a 31-3 halftime lead.  Northwestern’s only touchdown came in the 4^th quarter when RB Brandon Horn ran 13 yards for a touchdown.  Navarre finished with 288 yards passing on 22 of 31 passes with his 2 touchdowns, Perry had 122 yards rushing with his 2 scores, & Edwards added 9 catches for 112 yards to his touchdown.  Northwestern's QB Brett Basanez threw for 121 yards with an interception while being sacked once in the loss.  Michigan finished the season 10-3; Big Ten Champions, ranked 6^th nationally while the Wildcats finished 6-7.  Northwestern would play for The Belt again in 2006.

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes	Michigan Wolverines ©
Played November 22, 2003 at Michigan Stadium

  

 

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
Ohio State	4	19	7	1	.722	11	1	1	.885	6	1	0	.857	2	5	0	.286
Michigan ©	6	18	10	0	.643	9	4	0	.692	8	3	0	.727	1	3	0	.250

 

Previous Belt Meetings

 

 

 

The 5^th ranked, 9-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Lloyd Carr welcomed the 4^th ranked, 10-1 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel for their annual showdown.  Ohio State held The Belt earlier in the season losing it to Wisconsin.  The Buckeyes had never lost a Belt title game to Michigan posting wins in 1972, 1975, & 1981 but Tressel had never coached a Belt win in a road Belt game.  With All-American RB Chris Perry & All-Big Ten WR Braylon Edwards leading the way, Michigan overcame Belt history to claim a 35-21 win.  The Wolverine defense held Ohio State to 54 yards rushing & 5 of 14 on third down conversions in a game that was not as close as the score indicated.  Michigan scored at the end of the 1^st quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by WR Steve Breaston but it was the 2^nd quarter that did in the Buckeyes.  All-Big Ten QB John Navarre connected on a 64-yard touchdown pass with Edwards & on the next drive, Navarre again hit Edwards, this time for a 23-yard touchdown pass as Michigan took a 21-0 lead.  The Buckeyes scored just before half when QB Craig Krenzel hit WR Santonio Holmes on an 8-yard touchdown pass capping a 12-play, 81-yard drive.  The drive was indicative of the Buckeyes’ problems on offense as Krenzel threw 9 times & scrambled the other 3 plays.  Michigan opened the 3^rd quarter with a 5-play, 62-yard drive with Perry breaking loose for a 30-yard touchdown run as the Wolverine lead went to 28-7.  Krenzel hit Holmes for a 13-yard touchdown pass to get the Buckeyes within striking distance at 28-14 as the 4^th quarter started.  RB Lydell Ross scored on a 2-yard touchdown run early in the quarter as the Buckeyes got within 28-21 but Perry capped an 8-play, 88-yard drive, in which he accounted for 53 of the yards, with a 15-yard touchdown run.  Ohio State could not move the ball again & when LB Ernest Shazor intercepted QB Scott McMullen’s final pass, Michigan had the win; taking The Belt to the Rose Bowl.  Navarre finished with 278 yards passing with 2 touchdowns, Perry added 154 yards to his 2 touchdowns, & Edwards had 7 catches for 130 yards with his 2 scores.  For the Buckeyes, Krenzel threw for 221 yards with 2 touchdowns, Holmes had 8 catches for 121 yards with his 2 touchdowns, & WR Michael Jenkins had 9 catches for 132 yards.  Michigan finished the season 10-3; Big Ten Champions, ranked 6^th nationally while the Buckeyes finished 11-2 & ranked 4^th nationally.  Ohio State would play for The Belt again in 2006.

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines ©	Southern Cal Trojans
The Rose Bowl Played January 1, 2004 at the Rose Bowl

  

 

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
Michigan ©	6	19	10	0	.655	10	4	0	.714	8	3	0	.727	1	3	0	.250
Southern Cal	8	44	10	3	.798	19	3	2	.833	20	6	1	.759	5	1	0	.833