Fiesta bound OSU is 13-0

The Buckeyes scored the only points of the second half with a fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Pass the sugar. Let someone else say it with roses and squeeze the oranges.
The first Ohio State Buckeyes team to win 13 games has a national championship date in the Arizona desert.
Outplayed offensively for much of Saturday's game against archrival Michigan, Coach Jim Tressel's Buckeyes scored the only points of the second half with a 57-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive that gave Ohio State a heart-pounding 14-9 triumph.
"What an electric day," said Tressel after securing the victory before a record Ohio Stadium crowd of 105,539 that puts the 13-0 Buckeyes in the Jan. 3 Fiesta Bowl.
"We are honored to be the Big Ten champions and to go to Tempe and play for the national championship," Tressel said.
"We are so proud of our guys, not only that they won, but the way that they have won," said Tressel, referring to the second-ranked Buckeyes' six victories captured by seven points or less.
Exciting finish again
The victory wasn't sealed until the final play of the game when free safety Will Allen intercepted Michigan quarterback John Navarre's heave to the OSU 3.
"We knew it was going to be a slugfest," Tressel said. "Anyone that thought this was going to anything less than a game decided at the end of the game hasn't been around the Ohio State-Michigan game very often."
The win makes the Buckeyes the first Big Ten team to qualify for the Bowl Championship Series title game and gives them a share of the Big Ten title with Iowa (both are 8-0).
"We accomplished our goal," senior strong safety Michael Doss said. "We were one step away and we played our hearts out for 60 minutes. We proved Ohio State can play with anybody."
The Buckeyes won despite converting on just 1-of-8 third-down attempts. The Ohio State defense also failed to stop the Wolverines once in the first half, surrendering Adam Finley field goals on each of Michigan's three possessions for a 9-7 deficit.
Playing a key role in win 13 was number 13, freshman tailback Maurice Clarett of Youngstown and Warren Harding High.
Sets up winning score
Clarett's 26-yard reception from quarterback Craig Krenzel to the Michigan 6 set up the game-winning score.
Despite a left shoulder injury that's been nagging him for more than a month, Clarett rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown in the first-quarter.
Trailing 9-7 with 8:30 to play, the Buckeyes capitalized on a major Michigan mistake when Brandon Williams interfered with OSU punt returner Chris Gamble.
The Buckeyes launched their second scoring drive from their own 43, but needed a successful quarterback keeper by Krenzel on 4th-and-1 to keep their perfect season dream alive.
The pass to the unguarded Clarett set up Maurice Hall's 4-yard touchdown run on an option for the winning points.
Michigan dominated the first half by converting on eight of 11 third down chances. The Wolverines outgained the Buckeyes 211 yards to 102 but couldn't find the end zone.
"It was a great game," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "We had opportunities in the second half, but we just didn't get it down. Ohio State [has] a great defensive team. It was a heartbreaking loss."
Navarre completed 23-of-46 passes for 247 yards. Tailback Chris Perry rushed for 92 yards on 28 carries.
Krenzel completed 10-of-14 passes for 124 yards.
National title game next
Acknowledging an even bigger stage awaits, Tressel said, "The greatest thing we are going to enjoy is the tradition and the rivalry of the Ohio State-Michigan game.
"We [also] can enjoy that we can take a deep breath and [then] prepare for another great game," said Tressel, who replaced John Cooper 22 months ago after 15 seasons at Youngstown State.
"Whoever it is we are going to play is going to be an extraordinary team."
Barring an upset, the Buckeyes will play top-ranked University of Miami, who also are unbeaten with two games to play.
"It's a storybook ending," Buckeyes tight end Ben Hartsock said. "We couldn't have painted a better picture."
williams@vindy.com