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OSU football caps greatest season in school history with epic Fiesta Bowl victory

The Oregon State football team has the distinction of being the only common opponent this season of the Rose Bowl teams. The Beavers played Wisconsin early in the season and faced Oregon in the final game of the regular season. OSU played both games on

Oklahoma State's Cowboys capped the greatest football season in school history with an epic Fiesta Bowl victory. OSU beat Stanford 41-38 in overtime Monday night. Stanford had Andrew Luck, but OSU had Lady Luck. The Cowboys never led until they won.

The Oregon State football team has the distinction of being the only common opponent this season of the Rose Bowl teams. The Beavers played Wisconsin early in the season and faced Oregon in the final game of the regular season. OSU played both games on

Dec 30Berry Tramel and Gina Mizell discuss the rumor about OSU 12/31/2011 FIESTA BOWL — Applications are rolling in, the latest donation campaign is going strong, and merchandise sales are way up. Oklahoma State's football team.

Pickens talked to reporters in the press box of University of Phoenix Stadium before the Cowboys' showdown with Stanford about this season, the future of OSU football and coach Mike Gundy's contract negotiations. how does it feel to be in a BCS bowl?

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Pokes have all the luck with 41-38 win in OT

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Brandon Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns to Justin Blackmon in his final collegiate game, and Quinn Sharp hit a 22-yard field goal in overtime to give no. 3 Oklahoma State a 41-38 win over Andrew Luck and no. 4 Stanford in a wildly entertaining Fiesta Bowl on Monday night.

The most anticipated postseason game outside of the BCS championship, the Fiesta Bowl was an impressive offensive show, two of the nation’s best teams trading big plays and scores.

Oklahoma State (12-1) had the last one on Sharp’s game-winner to win in its first BCS bowl game, earning a chance to stake claim at being no. 1 in The associated Press poll should Alabama beat LSU in the BCS title game.

Stanford (11-2) had a chance to win in regulation, but redshirt freshman Jordan Williamson hooked a 35-yard field goal wide left as time expired. He also missed from 43 yards in overtime.

Usually balanced Oklahoma State had just 15 yards rushing on 13 carries, but Weeden made up for it, completing 29 of 42 passes and the three scores to Blackmon, who had eight catches for 186 yards.

After the game, Blackmon said he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Weeden did his best to keep up with Luck, who hit 27 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns in his final game before heading to the NFL. Stepfan Taylor ran for 177 yards and a pair of scores, and the Cardinal had 590 yards — nearly 200 more than Oklahoma State — but lost a chance for their second straight BCS bowl victory after Williamson’s two misses.

The Fiesta Bowl needed a pick-me-up game after the year it had.

Last year’s game was a dud on pretty much all accounts. Connecticut had trouble filling its allotment of tickets and keeping up with Oklahoma — a 44-10 rout — leading to a big dip in the ratings.

Not long after that, the bowl got tangled in controversy, nearly losing its BCS status following financial improprieties that were uncovered and led to the firing of executive director John Junker.

This matchup figured to be the ticket to match the golden jackets worn by Fiesta Bowl officials.

Oklahoma State has an electrifying offense — second in scoring, third in total yards — run by the 28-year-old Weeden and featuring Blackmon, the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner.

The Cowboys also came in with a chip on their shoulder, believing they should have gotten a shot at the BCS title game instead of it being a rematch of the field-goal-kicking Game of the Century earlier this season between Alabama and LSU.

Finishing a tantalizingly close .0086 behind the Crimson Tide in the BCS standings, Oklahoma State had plenty to prove, with booster T. Boone Pickens saying the Cowboys should get first-place votes in The associated Press poll with a Fiesta win and a loss by LSU in the title game.

Across the field was Stanford, another one-loss team that could have a legitimate beef with the BCS system.

The Cardinal lost to eventual Pac-12 champion Oregon and crushed nearly everyone else with an offense that was top-15 in scoring and yardage. Stanford also has Luck, the two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up and all-but-certain no. 1 overall NFL pick, complemented by a powerful running game that’s as good as any anywhere.

The Fiesta Bowl had a pretty good lead-in, too: Oregon’s wild, 45-38 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

Stanford was the only team to live up to the billing in the early going.

Manhandling Oklahoma State’s defense up front, the Cardinal had 225 yards by early in the second quarter and led 14-0 after Luck hit Ty Montgomery on a 53-yard touchdown pass and Jeremy Stewart ran for a 24-yard score.

Oklahoma State’s offense was stranded in the desert early: Weeden threw an interception on his first pass, the Cowboys had 27 yards while failing to score in the opening quarter for the first time this season and Blackmon was nowhere to be found.

That changed in the second — and quickly.

Blackmon caught his first pass by splitting the middle of Stanford’s defense for a 43-yard touchdown catch, then showed off his power on the next, brushing off a defender like a jacket over his shoulder before racing for a 67-yard touchdown that tied it 14-all.

Two big catches, 110 yards and the offensive show was on.

Stanford answered with an 80-yard drive in eight plays, capped by Taylor’s 4-yard touchdown run. The Cardinal left too much time, though, and the Cowboys raced down the field for Weeden’s first career rushing touchdown, an ugly-but-effective 2-yarder that made it 21-all at halftime.

Stanford opened the second half with a yard-churning drive for a 6-yard touchdown pass from Luck to Zach Ertz to put the Cardinal up 28-21.

Oklahoma State had a great opportunity after recovering Geoff Meinken’s fumble at Stanford’s 4-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. after a Stanford field goal, Weeden found Blackmon for a third time, on a 17-yard crossing pass that tied the game at 31.

Taylor put Stanford up 38-31 with 4½ minutes left, ducking behind Stanford’s massive offensive line for a 1-yard touchdown. Oklahoma State answered quickly, moving 67 yards in less than two minutes to tie it on Joseph Randle’s 4-yard touchdown run.

Luck seemingly had the Cardinal in position after moving 63 yards, but Williamson couldn’t come through, sending the game to overtime, where the Cowboys celebrated by mobbing each other in front of the OSU student section.

OSU football notebook: Rodgers still enjoying his senior year despite the losses

Oregon State receiver James Rodgers is still getting the mostout of his senior season, even though it’s not going as hehoped.

Rodgers came back from a severe knee injury last year to make animpact for the Beavers this season.

He’s not the go-to guy like he was, but Rodgers is slowly beingused more and has 35 catches for 394 yards and two touchdowns.

“James is feeling better and better,” coach Mike Riley said. “Ithas been good for us. We are finding a pretty good balance with ourpassing game. We continue to grow and I’m excited to see James playa big role in that.”

The Beavers (2-7), however, will suffer their second straightlosing season.

When Rodgers was hurt at midseason last year, the season beganto unravel. The Beavers are 4-12 since his injury.

“Our motivation is to continue to play strong,” Rodgers said.“Obviously the season is not going the way we planned. We can’t cryabout losing. We still have three games left. We are trying to makethe most of those three games.”

Rodgers will leave a mark with the Beavers.

He is already the career-leader in all-purpose yards with 6,251,and is in reach of the career receptions record of 220 by Mike Hass(2002-05). Rodgers has 212.

The career touchdown mark of 20 held by Hass and James Newson(2000-03) is in reach, too. he has 18.

“I don’t focus on that,” Rodgers said. “I focus on the teamaspect. I would trade a record for team success.”

Another reason Rodgers came back this season was to prove to NFLscouts he can still play.

He should be back to full strength in the spring when playerswork out for scouts.

“I’m feeling better each week,” Rodgers said. “I go out thereand practice hard. of course you want to win more games. I’m notupset. I’m just trying to compete with my teammates for my lastseason.”

Unga waits,hopes

Starting middle linebacker Kevin Unga is listed as doubtful forSaturday’s game against California. if he misses the game it willbe four in a row.

“Right now it’s day by day,” Unga said. “Every week I have myhopes up to play. This week, I have to do more rehab. if I getback, then good. if not, next week.”

Unga was injured on the first play against BYU on Oct. 15. Hisleft leg was twisted while planted and hyperextended.

He strained the ligaments in his calf that attach to the back ofthe knee. for a while it was difficult to walk, but now he’srunning and lifting. Surgery is not expected.

“I’m feeling a lot better now,” Unga said. “Before I couldn’t domuch. It’s has been frustrating, knowing this is my first yearstarting and I’m out of it. I’m just worried about coming back andhaving more success than I have been. I’m trying to rush back assoon as I can.”

Unga’s absence has impacted the run defense. he led the Pac-12in tackles at the time of his injury with 45. he averaged 9.0tackles a game before the injury.

Going home

Quarterback Sean Mannion is excited about playing in SanFrancisco’s AT&T Park, the home of the San FranciscoGiants.

He grew up in the Bay Area and is a baseball fan. his family hadseason tickets to the Giants.

Mannion didn’t plan to play baseball in college because hedidn’t think he was good enough.

“It’s going to be exciting playing in there, but we are focusedon the game,” Mannion said.

Poyer’s bigseason

Junior cornerback Jordan Poyer is tied for second in the countryin passes defended with 15 and tied for second in pass breakupswith 12. He’s closing in on school record of 19 passes defended,held by Andrae Holland (1998).

The Ohio State Football Program – A Brief History

The History of Ohio State Football

The history of Ohio State Football dates back to 1889. little did anyone at that time know that the Buckeyes, who were named after the Buckeye tree, would eventually become one the winningest teams in college football history. In fact, just this season that program reached its 800th win. the Buckeyes are one of only a handful of teams to reach that mark. In addition, they have the sixth best winning percentage in NCAA football history at .710. the Buckeyes have six national titles and six Heisman trophy winners in the program’s storied history, including the only 2-time Heisman trophy winner in college football history, Archie Griffin. Ohio State has been a member of the big 10 conference since its inception in 1917 and has 29 big 10 championships. the success of the team has spawned a huge merchandising franchise that includes the Ohio State NCAA cornhole set.

Best Team in Ohio State Football History
The best team in the program’s history is really a matter of opinion and it’s a topic that’s been debated over the years. most people believe that the 1968 team was the best in the history of Ohio State football. the 1968 team was coached by Woody Hayes and had eleven sophomores nicknamed the Super Sophomores. what is surprising about a team with so many young players is the relative ease with which they dominated their opponents, including their biggest rival Michigan. the average score that season was 32-15. the offense not only averaged 32 points per game, but they also averaged more than 400 years per game. They were no slouches on the defensive side of the ball either. Opponents averaged just 292 yards per game. Highlights from the 1968 season include a 9-0 win over Purdue when Purdue was ranked number one nationally, a 50-14 drubbing over arch rival Michigan, and a 27-16 victory over Southern Cal which helped earn the Buckeyes their 5th national title.

The Greatest Coach in the History of Ohio State Football
This may be hard to believe, but the early years of Ohio State football weren’t exactly a smashing success. In fact, they were actually a series of coaches who ended up resigning in failure. the team’s coaching woes became such a problem that the school earned a reputation as the graveyard of coaches. but help was on the way. Wayne Woodrow Hayes took over the head coaching position in 1951. Coach Hayes is revered by many Ohio State fans as an icon. He’s also regarded as a legend in the sport of college football. this is probably because Woody Hayes, more so than any other individual, is responsible for transforming Ohio State from the graveyard of coaches into a college football powerhouse. He started with a mediocre football program and turned it into one the the winningest football programs of all time.

Woody Hayes took over the struggling football program’s head coaching position in 1951 and his influence was immediate. Coach Hayes was a disciplinarian, the complete opposite of the easy-going Wes Fesler, the man who he took over for. his 1952 squad finished 6-3 and was victorious over arch rival Michigan for the first time in 8 years. There were a few controversies and many celebrations during Hayes’ tenure at Ohio State. the Buckeyes were placed on probation for a year in 1956 due to allegations that Hayes was giving small loans to help out financially struggling players. Then there were the well-known fits of rage that coach Hayes was famous for, but no one is perfect. Luckily, Coach Hayes’ pros outweighed his cons. He turned Ohio State into a college football powerhouse and won three national championships during his time at Ohio State. Coach Hayes, along with Bo Schembechler, is credited with intensifying the greatest rivalry in college football in a period called the ten year war.

The Greatest Game in Ohio State Football History
There have been many great games played in the history of Ohio State football, so it’s hard to narrow it down to just one game. With that being said, I’ll give it my best shot. the Buckeyes played in what I believe is not only the best game in Ohio State history in the the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, it’s also one of the best college football games of all time.

The Miami Hurricanes were riding an impressive 34 game win streak coming into the game and many people said it was one of the best teams ever assembled in the history of college football. Despite the fact that the Buckeyes were heavy underdogs, and nobody anywhere outside the state of Ohio gave them a chance, Ohio State showed that the whole of a team was greater than the sum of its parts. Displaying the heart of a champion, the Buckeyes pulled off an improbable upset over the mighty Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in double overtime.

A storied franchise with many storied victories to celebrate. It is hard to pick out the greatest moments. most Ohio State fans show their spirit with franchised merchandise from keychains to the Ohio State NCAA cornhole set and beyond. Why not? Bucknuts are everywhere you look.

OSU football: Getting to know Brandon Hardin

What are your goals in life once football is over foryou?

“Eventually I’ll make it back to Hawaii, start a family. That’smy ultimate goal.”

What are your hobbies that keep you busy betweenpractice?

“My partner in crime is (former OSU player) Keith Pankey. Wehang out and do a lot of stuff like go fly fishing. We dosnowboarding, hiking fishing — anything outdoors. I’madventurous.”

What type of music do you listen to beforegames?

“I have an OSU football playlist. My favorite song is from thehighlight video film from Boise State. but basically some upbeatmusic.”

If you were stranded on a deserted island with oneperson, who would you want it to be?

“Keith Pankey. We’d survive. It would be fun with our owncamp.”

If you could have a dinner conversation with anyhistorical figure, dead or alive, who would it be?

“Princess Pauahi from back home. she was a historical figure inthe late 1800s and started my high school, Kamehameha.”

What would be served at that dinner?

“I’d like a big ribeye steak and rice.”

What is your childhood fear?

“I was a fearless little kid, but like every other kid I didn’tlike things that go bump in the night.”

What’s your pet peeve?

“When people are late to something and I have to wait for fiveminutes. If I have to wait, that’s a bad date.”

What surprises people when they get to knowyou?

“This summer I started a garden. not too many people know thatabout me. It’s not a full hobby, but I thought it would be cool. Wehave onions, tomatoes and squash.”

What’s your special talent?

“I can do a standing back flip. I had some of the gymnasts teachme how to do that.”

If you could change the world in one way, what would youdo?

“I would do something for the youth like a big Boys & GirlsClub to keep the youth active, because I know what sports has donefor me. I’d like all of them doing some sport.”

If you could change yourself physically in one way, whatwould you do?

“I like the way I look. but maybe be an inch taller. My dad is6-4. I’ve never been able to reach 6-4. but then I wouldn’t beplaying corner, though.”

If you could change your personality in one way, whatwould you do?

“I’d like to just be upbeat all the time, not that I’m a sadperson. If life brings you down I’d like to turn on a switch thatwould make me exuberant about everything.”

How will Ohio State hosts treat wounded PSU?

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It takes someone with a keycard to traverse two electronic security points and enter the office of Undergraduate Student Government at Ohio State University. not sure why that is. I guess just guarding against some random imbecile.

Which is sort of what the last couple of weeks has all been about. and, in a different way, maybe Saturday, too.

a lot of people around here are hoping that 1 or 5 or 12 knuckleheads don’t embarrass the entire university. a lot of that going around lately.

one of the most earnest in that wish is the USG president, 20-year-old Nick Messenger. His group was part of the proactive gesture sent on Tuesday to Penn State by OSU students. Paraphrased, it’s pretty much old Golden Rule stuff: Treat our guests from the east with understanding and kindness. Cheer loud for the Buckeyes. have a good time and don’t act like a halfwit.

but, hey, that qualifies as big news these days. The prevalent attitude is more about being snarky and smart-ass and getting a dig in wherever and whenever you can, no matter how nasty. It fits the anonymous internet chatboard culture.

Passing for satire is the aging animated comedy South Park, still a big hit with college kids. It’s known for being topical and brutal in its skewering of everyone from Britney Spears to Saddam Hussein and it’s been very funny at times.

On Wednesday, the show took the first swing at the Sandusky scandal that amounted to a series of punch lines. at one point, the show’s familiar kids are told they are being taken from their drunken parents to be put in a foster home and asked, “would you like to go to Neverland Ranch, a Catholic Church or Penn State University?”

and it’s only beginning for PSU. if you have to sink to that base level to try to be funny a mere 12 days after news broke of the alleged child sex crimes, then maybe you’re just not funny.

but that’s what everyone around here is afraid of when OSU and PSU fans meet and mingle on Saturday: Imbeciles. except, in this case, drunken, unfunny imbeciles inciting people who are hurt and/or angry. South Park has opened the season for them.

“The show has a big following,” said Messenger at the cluttered USG office in the Student Union building. he just heard about the PSU slant on Friday morning.

“and you get the impression that episode’s storyline was designed specifically to make the jokes about Penn State.

“Which is a low blow – to the university and to the victims. It’s really so soon after this unfolded, you try to put yourselves in the shoes of a victim, imagining what he goes through. to build an entire show around making fun of it, to me, it didn’t seem right.”

and Saturday? is this what visiting Penn State players and fans are in for?

“We’re hoping people’s better angels come forward.”

to put in context what is, sometimes you have to talk to someone who knows what was. Earlier in the day, I paid a visit to Marv Homan at his retirement home in suburban Upper Arlington.

Homan, 85 – “I only look like I’m 95,” he says – knows Ohio State athletics as well as anyone, his tenure stretching all the way back to 1944. he was the sports information director spanning the late Woody Hayes years through the early John Cooper tenure (1973-88). he was the press box announcer. he did radio game broadcasts for three decades.

He’s seen the culture at games change through the years, over-commercialization making the institution of football seem all-important, big donors buying their way into inappropriate influence, avid fans being replaced by confrontational ones. It makes him sad:

“Football has always been big around here. maybe it’s become too big. maybe it’s become top-heavy.

“this sounds like an old-timer, I know. but it’s a different world, not necessarily a better one. and I’m sorry about that. I think a lot of us are losers and don’t realize it.”

Nick Messenger and his group’s wishes notwithstanding, I heard something a few minutes later from an old friend when I visited him at his campus record store down the street from the Student Union. He’s owned it for 25 years and college kids now come to peruse his sprawling collection of old vinyl like young women at an antique shop.

one of his student employees told him she was planning on attending the PSU game. “I don’t normally go to the games,” she said. so, why now, he asked. Her reply: “I just wanna see what happens.”

so, we head into a 3:30 game with plenty of time for fans to swill alcohol and become uninhibited. and then, we’ll see what happens.

Calling all angels. please report to duty.

DAVID JONES: .