A strong 'Will' saves Buckeyes

By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS --Sometimes when it reigns, it pours.
Just ask No. 24 North Carolina State, which overcame a muffed kick return fumble, a controversial interception and a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to take the defending national champions to triple overtime, coming up a half-yard short of a tying score on the game's final play.
Despite an almost non-existent rushing attack (44 yards, including 37 by quarterback Craig Krenzel), No. 3 Ohio State (3-0) rallied for three overtime touchdowns Saturday for a 44-38 triumph to stretch the nation's longest Division I winning streak to 17 games.
"What a great football game we witnessed today," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said. "Two teams played their hearts out and it ends on the half yard line. That was fitting, given the effort given by both teams."
Key play
The game almost went to a fourth extra period or ended with a Wolfpack conversion.
But on fourth and a long 1, Wolfpack tailback T.A. McClendon was hit by Buckeyes linebacker A.J. Hawk then stuffed by strong safety Will Allen. McClendon's knee hit the turf just before he twisted and fell forward into the end zone.
"I knew he didn't score, from the moment I hit him," said Allen, who said the Wolfpack ran the same play on their second-overtime touchdown. "They caught us off guard [before but] this time we were ready for it.
"Philip Rivers is probably the best quarterback I'm going to see this year," said Allen of the Atlantic Coast Conference's new all-time leading passer. "N.C. State kept scrapping back."
Rivers completed 36-of-52 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns.
"He's the real deal," Buckeyes cornerback Dustin Fox said.
Unlikely scenario
Overtime appeared to be the last thing the 104,890 fans would see when the Buckeyes capitalized on Rivers' two interceptions for a 24-7 lead.
"That's the longest football game I've played in my life," said Allen, who also recovered the Wolfpack's muffed kick return in the first quarter at the North Carolina State 4 to set up the Buckeyes' second touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
Late in the third quarter, Hawk stole the ball and raced 55 yards to the Wolfpack 7 to set up Mike Nugent's 22-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead.
Rivers' next pass was ruled an interception by free safety Brandon Mitchell (replays showed the ball bouncing off the ground).
Moments later, Krenzel found wide receiver Michael Jenkins racing down the sidelines for a 29-yard pickup that set up Krenzel's 6-yard scoring run.
Despite being limited to 21 yards rushing on 30 carries, the Wolfpack roared back.
"It hurts more to come out on the short end of such a close game," Wolfpack (1-2) coach Chuck Amato said. "Nobody gave us a shot, but we went up against the longest winning streak in the nation in one of the biggest houses in the nation. We grew up a lot today."
First, the Buckeyes' Santonio Holmes fumbled a punt return, setting up Rivers' 9-yard scoring strike to wide-open wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery on a fourth-down play.
On the Buckeyes' next possession, Krenzel's lame-duck toss was stolen by cornerback A.J. Davis and returned 17 yards to the 12, setting up Adam Kiker's 24-yard field goal with 5:51 to go in regulation.
"We shut them down for the first three quarters, [but] in the fourth quarter, our offense turned the ball over," Allen said.
B.J. Sander's punt to the 14 had the Wolfpack 86 yards from overtime with 3:18 to go. Eight plays later, Rivers hit T.J. Williams with a 5-yard scoring toss.
Just enough
Both teams scored touchdowns and kicked extra points for a 38-38 score after two extra sessions.
The Buckeyes' game-winning points game on Krenzel's 7-yard pass to Jenkins.
"It hurts but you move on," Rivers said, calling the final play "close -- I can't complain. It was the right play. They were spreading it out and nobody was in [the box]."
Krenzel completed 26-of-36 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns.
About overtime, Tressel said the difference was how the Buckeyes "stepped up and made plays and came up with just a little bit more protection. College overtime, I think, is extraordinary."
Wolfpack wide receiver Tramain Hall, who caught nine passes for 67 yards, had another view.
"Sometimes you just wish they would blow you out," Hall said.
NC State07017770--38
Ohio St.14037776-- 44
First Quarter
OSU--Jenkins 44 pass from Krenzel (Nugent kick), 4:13.
OSU--Ross 2 run (Nugent kick), 2:47.
Second Quarter
NCS--Cotchery 11 pass from Rivers (Deraney kick), :18.
Third Quarter
OSU--FG Nugent 22, :00.
Fourth Quarter
OSU--Krenzel 6 run (Nugent kick), 11:25.
NCS--Cotchery 9 pass from Rivers (Kiker kick), 8:26.
NCS--FG Kiker 24, 5:51.
NCS--Williams 5 pass from Rivers (Kiker kick), :21.
First Overtime
OSU--Hartsock 10 pass from Krenzel (Nugent kick).
NCS--Hall 17 pass from Rivers (Kiker kick).
Second Overtime
NCS--McLendon 2 run (Kiker kick).
OSU--Hamby 2 pass from Krenzel (Nugent kick).
Third Overtime
OSU--Jenkins 7 pass from Krenzel (pass failed).
A--104,890.
NCSOSU
First downs2815
Rushes-yards30-2132-44
Passing315273
Comp-Att-Int36-52-226-36-3
Return Yards7996
Punts-Avg.7-41.65-49.4
Fumbles-Lost4-12-2
Penalties-Yards6-4614-129
Time of Possession29:2930:17
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--NC State, McLendon 8-32, Hall 4-13, Washington 3-12, Cotchery 2-8, Brown 1-6, Jackson 2-(minus 1), Rivers 10-(minus 49). Ohio St., Krenzel 13-37, Schnittker 1-5, Hall 13-2, Ross 4-1, team 1-(minus 1).
PASSING--NC State, Rivers 36-52-2-315. Ohio St., Krenzel 26-36-3-273.
RECEIVING--NC State, Hall 9-67, Clark 6-73, Washington 5-39, Cotchery 4-44, Williams 4-18, McLendon 3-56, Jackson 2-15, Barrett 2-5, Hicks 1-(minus 2). Ohio St., Jenkins 7-124, Hartsock 7-65, Carter 6-39, Schnittker 2-17, Holmes 1-29, Hamby 1-2, Hall 1-0, Ross 1-(minus 3)
williams@vindy.com