NEW ORLEANS — For the second season in a row, Ohio State punished opponents during the regular season with a bruising defense and strong rushing attack.
And for the second season in a row, that seemingly successful formula proved to be ineffective in the Bowl Championship Series title game.
Most football teams would feel honored just to have the opportunity to play for a BCS Championship.
Don’t tell that to the Buckeyes.
If playing in the biggest college football game of the season was the pinnacle of collegiate athletics, then the Buckeyes would be riding high right now.
But coming up short to a Southeastern Conference school for the second consecutive season is not a comforting consolation prize.
“Our kids played hard until the bitter end,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said after his team’s 38-24 loss to LSU. “We just didn’t do the things that you need to do to win a ball game of this nature. But we’re awfully proud of our 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes, and we’re very aware that LSU is a deserving champion.”
Such a loss had the Buckeyes forgetting about how successful the 2007 season actually was. Ohio State captured its third-straight Big Ten title this season, something it had not done since 1977.
Running back Chris “Beanie” Wells set an Ohio State sophomore rushing record this season, sprinting his way to 1,609 yards, including 146 yards against LSU.
Wells’ season rushing total also ranks No. 4 all time for a single season in Buckeyes’ history. Following the game, that accomplishment was the furthest thing from his mind.
“For that, I have to give credit to my offensive line,” Wells said humbly.” [But] today is not the day to dwell on that, as you can see.”
Also for the second season in a row, Ohio State jumped got off to a quick start against its national championship opponent and could not maintain its early intensity.
This past season, the Buckeyes returned the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown. They ended up losing to Florida, 41-14.
On Monday, Ohio State put up 10 points in the game’s first six minutes. The Buckeyes did not score again until less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
“The big thing we learned from last year is that it’s going to be a 60 minute game,” said senior Vernon Gholston. “We knew it was going to be a 60 minute ball game, and we didn’t carry out the whole game.”
The possibility of Ohio State earning a third consecutive shot at a BCS national title is not farfetched. Only three of the Buckeyes’ 22 regular starters this season were seniors.
–Contact Tyler Batiste at [email protected]