Clarett has key role in victory

The Youngstown native and Warren Harding grad rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- No one knows just how much pain Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett felt during Saturday' 14-9 victory over Michigan.
Judging by his answers at the postgame press conference, even Clarett isn't sure just how much he was hurting.
But considering the wide smile plastered on the Youngstown native's face after the game, the Warren Harding High graduate couldn't have felt much better.
"I didn't play with much pain, but I wasn't really thinking about it," said Clarett, who has been nursing a sore left shoulder since the Buckeyes' 19-14 win over Wisconsin Oct. 19.
"This was an important game for the seniors so I told them that I was going to give it my all," said Clarett after rushing for 119 yards on 20 carries.
Clarett also caught two passes from quarterback Craig Krenzel for another 35 yards.
Didn't start game
Coach Jim Tressel kept Clarett on the sidelines on the Buckeyes' opening possession, prompting huge cheers from the record Ohio Stadium crowd when he finally came in.
After turning a screen pass into a 9-yard gain, Clarett had runs good for 7, 28 and 1 yard before storming into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown and Ohio State's 7-3 lead.
During the drive, Clarett twice came to the sidelines, prompting concern among the Scarlet and Gray faithful that his left shoulder injury had been aggravated.
Clarett admitted he felt a "sharp pain" after one of those runs.
"It was just for that one play," Clarett said. "They hit me hard, so I just came off and shook it off. That was it."
Clarett said he felt the Wolverines weren't going out of their way to target his shoulder.
"The way the media built up Michigan as a dirty team [was wrong]," Clarett said. "Michigan was a real clean football team. They played a real great game and were real respectful. [I didn't hear them] make any [derogatory] comments after the game.
"They weren't talking too much [trash during the game]," Clarett said. "It was a real clean, physical game."
Surpasses freshman record
With 1,190 yards, Clarett surpassed Robert Smith's freshman rushing record of 1,126 yards.
Clarett, who broke the record in the third quarter with a 6-yard gain, was just warming up as he recorded gains of 17, 9 and 9 before the quarter ended. His first carry in the fourth quarter gained 18 yards.
"He's a very good football player," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "There's no doubt about that."
But the play Buckeye fans will most remember from Clarett's first Michigan game was the 26-yard pass he caught at the Michigan 6 that set up Ohio State's winning points.
Lobbied for the call
Clarett admitted he lobbied with the coaches for the call.
"I knew if the linebacker stayed inside on a pass play that I was going to get behind him. They doubled Michael Jenkins so I [easily] caught the ball.
Tressel confirmed that Clarett pleaded his case well.
"He told me a quarter earlier that 'You better call that play because they can't check me,' " Tressel said. " So we waited until the opportune time."
Realizing the importance of the win, Clarett downplayed its effect on him personally.
"I really wanted to win this game for the seniors because it [means] so much to them," Clarett said. "I remember my senior year in high school and I wanted the younger guys to pick up their performances."
Clarett suggested his Michigan win meant less to him "because it's more for [the seniors]. You don't really start enjoying wins, I think, until you're older and can start to appreciate them more.
"It means something for me, but I don't really feel the passion the way the seniors are. I was happy for the win and happy to play for the national championship, but the seniors, I believe, cherish this more," Clarett said.
Despite the impact of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, Clarett said "there wasn't a lot of pressure on me. I just went out there and played my role. I had 10 other guys helping me all the time."