NEW ORLEANS – LSU coach Les Miles scratched a familiar itch with time winding down in the fourth quarter.
The man labeled by some media members and LSU fans as the “riverboat gambler” converted on a fourth-and-1 play from the Ohio State 44-yard line that led to the final LSU (12-2) score, securing the Tigers’ 38-24 win and second Bowl Championship Series title in New Orleans. “I don’t know that I am a riverboat gambler,” Miles said. “I think it was a safe opportunity to go for it when it was less than a foot. We had the opportunity to control the line of scrimmage and eat the clock up, which was key [for the win].”
Offensive Most Valuable Player and fifth-year senior Matt Flynn sneaked around the end of his offensive line with about four minutes remaining in his final game as a Tiger and finished a drive that broke the Buckeyes’ back with his second touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Richard Dickson.
For Flynn, the decision to stick it out as a backup quarterback behind future No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell yielded something that eluded the Oakland Raiders signal caller — a national championship.
“Just looking around and knowing that this was my last game in purple and gold, it was one of those things that I tried to soak up,” Flynn said. “If you would have asked me five years ago when I was at Robert E. Lee to script my college career, this definitely would not be it. I am glad to be here and said this before: I would not give up this one year for four years starting anywhere else at any other college. This just solidifies my statements.”
The Tyler, Texas native saved his best performance for last, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes. Flynn was 19-of-27 passing for 174 yards and one interception.
“[Flynn] was fully healthy, honestly, for the first time this season,” Miles said. “His ankle has bothered him right on through and certainly we could see it. He threw his ankle brace away during bowl practice and came up to speed quickly. He is a great leader and unbelievably competitive quarterback. The guys rallied around him and really enjoyed having him as their quarterback.”
The Buckeyes (11-2) ended their season with another disappointing title game defeat after dropping the title game to Southeastern Conference foe Florida 41-14 this past season.
“Hats off to LSU. They did a great job preparing for this game,” said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. “We said all along they’re a very tough football team, a very mature football team. That’s why they’re the SEC champions. They’re very deserving national champions. It was a clean, hard, tough football game.”Flynn engineered the LSU offense to 38 points against the top-ranked Buckeye defense that allowed only 10.7 points per game this season.
The Tigers mixed in 152 rushing yards from eight different ball carriers. Senior running back Jacob Hester led his team with 86 yards on 21 carries and touchdown.
Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells led all rushers with 146 yards on 20 carries and a score. Buckeyes’ quarterback Todd Boeckman struggled to a 15-of-26 night with 208 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Although LSU was outgained 353-326, Ohio State collected 128 of its yards in the first two possessions. The Tigers exploded on third-down conversions, going 11-of-18 while the Buckeyes converted only 3-of-13.
“Third down is the biggest down in football to me,” said Ohio State junior defensive end Vernon Gholston. “Biggest thing, they executed well. It always goes back to execution. It was situations where we had a chance to get off the field and we didn’t do that, not because their scheme was great or they were faster. It was just simply execution.” On the defensive side, the Tigers recovered one fumble, intercepted two passes and blocked a field goal to send defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to Nebraska with a national championship ring.
Ricky-Jean Francois was named defensive MVP after blocking a field goal with the score tied at 10 and recording six tackles and a half sack.
Highly-lauded defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey seemed to win the battle of defensive juggernauts against Buckeye linebacker James Laurinitis and will leave LSU a champion after turning down an early NFL chance to return for his senior season.
—Contact Matt Vines at mvines@lsureveille.com