Nov 9, 2002
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Trailing on the road and facing fourth down late in the game, Craig Krenzel found a way to lead Ohio State to victory Saturday.
Krenzel threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins on fourth-and-1 with 1:36 left to play as the third-ranked Buckeyes defeated Purdue 10-6 to remain unbeaten and keep their national championship hopes alive.
The Buckeyes (11-0, 6-0) are off to their fourth 11-0 start in team history, joining the 1975, 1979 and 1995 teams. More importantly, they probably will remain No. 2 in the BCS standings, keeping them on course for a trip to the Fiesta Bowl and a shot at the national title.
Krenzel had been pressured the entire game by a bruising Purdue defense. The Boilermakers (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten) were leading 6-3 when Krenzel dropped back and found Jenkins - who sprinted down the sideline before cutting in - for an over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone.
Purdue got the ball again, but Kyle Orton's long pass into double coverage was intercepted by Chris Gamble.
Krenzel was efficient, attempting only 11 passes but completing nine of them for 116 yards. The Buckeyes had only 267 yards of total offense.
The Buckeyes were nearly were done in by the deep pass. Last year it was Drew Brees who did the damage, and this time it was Brandon Kirsch, whose 59-yard completion to Ray Williams early in the fourth quarter set up Berin Lacevic's 32-yard field goal that put the Boilermakers ahead by three with 7:50 left
Two years ago, in similar circumstances, Brees connected with Seth Morales for a 64-yard game-winning TD that landed them in their first Rose Bowl in 34 years and knocked the Buckeyes out of the conference title picture.
The Boilermakers have long been out of title contention this season and need wins in their final two games to become bowl-eligible for the sixth straight season. They've lost eight straight games against ranked teams.
Strong performances by both defenses ensured a low-scoring game, and the Buckeyes barely had enough time to kick a field goal as time ran out in the first half to make it 3-all. Krenzel escaped pressure and scrambled 15 yards down the middle to Purdue's 13. On third-and-9 from the 12, Krenzel ran again, this time for seven yards but short of the first down.
With no timeouts left and the clock ticking down, the field-goal unit hurried onto the field, and the center snapped the ball just in time for Mike Nugent to kick a 22-yarder.
Purdue coach Joe Tiller argued to officials that time had expired, but television replays indicated that there was one second showing when the ball was snapped.
Orton got the start in place of Kirsch, who broke a bone in his right hand when he accidentally struck a wall during a fight at a fraternity party. Orton took command early, going 6-for-9 for 55 yards on the opening drive before a pass was intercepted by cornerback Dustin Fox deep in the far left corner of the end zone.
Purdue held the Buckeyes to 93 total yards in the half and came up with several crucial third-down stops, including Niko Koutouvides' first career interception, which set up a 21-yard field goal by the much-maligned Lacevic.
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Orton finished 18-for-28 with three interceptions and 169 yards. Kirsch went 13-for-20 for 173 yards.
Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett, who had nerve damage in his left shoulder that kept him out of the last two games, started and ran 14 times for 52 yards. They played without wide receiver Chris Vance who was attending his brother's funeral.