BUCKEYES Krenzel helps OSU remain unbeaten

The senior quarterback played well when it counted.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- A week ago, senior quarterback Craig Krenzel shouldered his share of the blame after Ohio State squeaked past unheralded San Diego State.
Krenzel's inability to find his targets, combined with the lack of a solid rushing attack, kept the 32-point underdog Aztecs competitive against the defending national champions.
Today, the Buckeyes remain unbeaten with the longest winning streak in Division I and their hopes alive for another undefeated season.
It's all because of the right arm and legs of Krenzel, who was Ohio State's biggest factor in Saturday's 44-38 triple overtime win over North Carolina State.
Krenzel set career marks with four touchdown passes and 273 yards passing.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder out of Sterling Heights, Mich., also led the Buckeyes rushing attack (such as it was) with 37 yards.
About the only thing that Krenzel didn't do Saturday was dot the i during "Script Ohio."
"That kid is a winner, just like Philip Rivers is a winner for our team," said North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato, referring to the Wolfpack's senior quarterback, who became the Atlantic Coast Conference's most prolific passer.
"In the second overtime on third down when [Krenzel] found their tight end [Ryan Hamby] in the back of the end zone, we had a chance to get their quarterback on the ground," Amato said. "If we had, they would have been forced to kick a field goal, but we didn't do it."
Stepping up
Krenzel's first touchdown pass was a 44-yarder to wide receiver Michael Jenkins who broke free when cornerback Gregory Golden slammed into the umpire.
In the fourth quarter, Krenzel scored on a 6-yard run that put the Buckeyes ahead, 24-7.
He was just getting started.
After an interception that helped the Wolfpack tie the game, Krenzel dazzled as the Buckeyes scored 20 points in overtime.
"Most of the time, we do a good job in the red zone all year long," Krenzel said.
The aerial show at Ohio Stadium came courtesy of poor running games by both squads. The Wolfpack and Buckeyes combined for 65 yards on the ground. More than half of them were by Krenzel.
"When we don't run the football well, it's hard to sustain a drive," Krenzel said after tailbacks Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross combined for 3 yards on 17 carries. "It's something we need to get much better at."
Wolfpack linebacker Pat Thomas said his team was focused on stopping the Buckeyes ground forces.
"All we wanted to do was stop their running game," Thomas said. "If we did that, we thought we had a chance."
They did and did they ever.
Experience matters
Krenzel's magic was the one thing the Wolfpack couldn't stop.
Asked what he said in the huddle before overtime began, Krenzel replied that he "looked at the guys and said, 'This is what you come to Ohio State for.' It's the tradition and the type of games you're going to play in."
Hartsock credited the close calls of 2002, including the double overtime win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, for the Buckeyes extending their winning streak to 17.
"Last year's experiences had a huge role in our success [Saturday]," Hartsock said. "Games like this after they are over are great. This is history, this is part of the tradition at Ohio State.
"A man who never has any struggles never really lives. And this team has struggles, and we've really developed a lot of character because of it," Hartsock said. "We don't want to have to do that any more -- I think we have enough character on this team. We need to try and become more dominant."
With Krenzel behind center, the Buckeyes have a chance.
williams@vindy.com