20 yrs ago - rewatching highlights from #2 Texas -v- #4 Ohio State

[Bevo92]

Listening to Ramonce Taylor this morning in Coffee & Football got me fired up to go back and watch highlights from that great game from 20 yrs ago against #4 Ohio State.   Can’t wait for 2025 season to kick off and avenge loss that ended last season. 

Couple things jumped out after rewatching highlights:

1) This game could have easily gone either way.   Momentum swung from Texas in Q1 to Ohio State in Q2 and Q3 back to Texas in Q4

2) We all remember Vince’s heroics in big moments but he was human as well and made some really bad decisions in Q2 and Q3 of this game that led to 2 interceptions, giving the Buckeyes the momentum.   Overall, Vince was Superman though as the leading rusher (especially in Q1) and 22 of 29 passing for 2 TDs and 270 yards.   Jamal Charles didn’t do much. 

3) Man our defense (especially our secondary) was all-world back in the day.  

4) I remember when watching the game real-time 20 yrs ago and again now on re-watch, thinking Jim Tressel helped the Horns with the way he kept rotating Justin Zwick with Troy Smith at QB, despite the team playing much better when Smith was leading the offense.   

5) Ramonce Taylor saved a massive play when he nearly got tackled twice for safety and instead ran it out for 40 yard gain.

6) Billy Pittman played like a man possessed for 130 yards receiving and a TD.

7) Even with Mack during his best season, we struggled to score TD on 4th down at the 1-yard line with clock winding down and Henry Melton got stuffed.  Turnover on downs.   

8. Defense came up big with tackle for safety to end game.  25-22.

 

Can’t wait for next 60 days to fly by and let’s get this game going.   Time for the Arch Era to start.  Hook em!! 🧡🤘🏼🐂