Ohio State Wins Rose Bowl Bid

Sports News - November 15th, 2009 - Written by John

Ohio State became the first team to punch a ticket to the BCS. They dashed out to a big lead early and then held on in overtime to beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 27-24, in essentially a play-in game for the Rose Bowl. Both teams had one conference loss and a win gave one of the two at least a share of the Big Ten Title.

Devin Barkley, a 26-year old who used to be a professional soccer player, kicked the game-winner in overtime that sent the entire roster out on the field in celebration. The Buckeyes won the conference for the fifth consecutive time, but it's the first time they've gone to the Rose Bowl since 1985.

"None of our kids have gone to the Rose Bowl. I haven't been there in 25 years [since] I was an assistant coach in the 1985 Rose Bowl," coach Jim Tressel said. "There's nothing like it. It's a great feeling."

Embattled quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had been scorned for playing short in big games, had a career-best 82.4 completion rate and had 122 yards from scrimmage. He wasn't dazzling, but he took a big step in winning on the conference's biggest stage.

Brandon Saine ran for 103 yards and two scores, Dan Herron had a touchdown, and the Buckeye defense intercepted quarterback James Vandenberg three times.

"It means everything to us," linebacker Austin Spitler said. "Senior day, we're going to remember this for the rest of our lives. This is a special moment."

But it wasn't as if the near-100,000-plus crowd at the Horseshoe didn't have to hold it's breath. Ohio State raced out to a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, but nearly blew the whole thing when Iowa scored 14 unanswered points to force overtime.

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos would've been deemed a hero if the Hawkeyes would've been able to complete the improbable comeback. It was his kick return that led to the late rally. He muffed the kickoff after an Ohio State score, scooped it back up at the goal line, and zig-zagged his way down the sideline for a 99-yard touchdown, fourth longest in school history.

On the next drive, Ohio State's Brian Rolle picked off Vandenberg and took it to the house, effectively ending the game. But the play was nullified by an offsides penalty, and Vandenberg completed his next two passes, the latter being a 10-yard touchdown to Marvin McNutt to tie it.

But Vandenberg's inexperience, and Iowa's tattered offensive line, finally caught up to Iowa in overtime. The Hawkeyes got the ball first and went four-and-out on four miserable plays. Vandenberg had to throw it away on first down, and a six-yard loss on second down was followed by a broken pass attempt that left Vandenberg sacked 16 yards behind the line of scrimmage. On fourth down, all he could do was sail a prayer into the end zone, which was intercepted by Anderson Russell.

The Buckeyes milked their first three plays, setting up a chip shot for Barclay from 39 yards out.

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