2003 Michigan football

Obviously, a lot. A field goal at the end of that drive had OSU fans on the edge of their seats.

The first came on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Cotchery. In a peculiar move, Rivers again went for a QB sneak from the same formation as their first down play, only to be stuffed again. A Wolfpack turnover led to a 22-yard field goal for OSU in the third quarter. Ohio State appeared to be in complete control after Craig Krenzel scrambled 6 yards for OSU's third touchdown of the day.

On the ensuing kickoff, the NC State returners collided with each other, and the ball bounced off a helmet of the returner. It would be the Buckeyes striking first as Scott McMullen sent a 7-yard strike to Sr. Drew Carter, and the Buckeyes had a 7–0 lead.

Rivers would match the Buckeyes though, with his own 17-yard touchdown pass. Ohio State came in 5–0 in night games in Ohio Stadium; meanwhile Washington was welcoming a new head coach, Keith Gilberston, who was replacing the fired The Huskies featured such stars as QB "Cowboy" Cody Pickett, 1st round draft pick Reggie Williams, offensive tackle Khaliff Barnes, and TE Joe Toledo (who would go on to the NFL as an OT). Perry, Michigan end Buckeye title hopes John Navarre cradled the Big Ten trophy as he walked into the interview room with tears in his eyes and a championship hat on his head. Though the first quarter, NC State had managed just five yards off 15 plays. This time however, San Diego State's QB Matt Dlugolecki was determined to change the outcome, and got the Aztecs rolling with an 11-yard touchdown pass to start the attack. A second down pass was broken up by jr. cornerback Chris Gamble, who just barely missed a game clinching pick. Ohio State had scored their 4th win of the season, and 18th straight. But on a day when the OSU offense couldn't do much of anything, not even registering an offensive touchdown, they were able to tack on another Mike Nugent field goal in the 4th, to take a 16–10 advantage.

“The Chest” Chuck Amato (NC State HC) had other ideas however, as NC St. scored on their next 3 possessions.

The #2 ranked Buckeyes managed to add a field goal to make it 7–3 at the 9:54 mark. Questions floating around Columbus during the week had presided over the ineptitude of the Ohio State offense. Ross scored on a 3-yard run in the 4th, to give the Buckeyes a 24–7 lead, just as they had possessed the week before. Bowling Green had been built up quite a bit by former Head Coach Starting QB Craig Krenzel would miss the contest from an elbow injury he suffered against N.C. State, and Sr. Quarterback Scott McMullen of Granvile, OH would lead the team for the first time since 2001 (he played mop up duty for the Bucks in 2002). The Wolfpack would start off on offense for the next series, and T. A. McLendon took a toss 2 yards to the end-zone to take a 38–31 lead.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, that would be their only score of the first half.

This Ohio State squad was loaded with future NFL stars however, and they were ready to prove they were up to task. A week 4 showdown was set between the #4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bowling Green State University Falcons.

The Wolfpack would get the ball back and would complete the comeback with a game-tying 5-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to T.J. Williams with just 21 seconds left to force OT.It was the first overtime game in Ohio Stadium, and would set the bar impossibly high for any future overtime contests. NC State just couldn’t quite get keep it together, much of the reasoning was thanks to Will Smith and the Buckeye’s defense constantly harassing Rivers. 2003 Team Photo view larger image. For the second time in 2003, the 2nd ranked Buckeyes welcomed in a Top 25 team, this time it was the high powered offense of #22/24 ranked North Carolina State. With 11:26 left, the Wolfpack's time seemed to be running out. OSU built up a 17–7 halftime advantage with a 47-yard field goal by Mike Nugent, and added a touchdown after a crushing 33-yard run by Lydell Ross on 4th and 1. Ohio State had first possession, and Krenzel hit sr. tight-end Ben Hartsock for a 10-yard score.