BIG TEN Allen's heroics extend Buckeyes' winning ways

His fourth-quarter interception last week halted Bowling Green's rally.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Fourth-ranked Ohio State can thank Will Allen for stretching the nation's longest winning streak to 18 games.
The last three Saturdays -- and six times during the streak -- it was Allen who made the pivotal play in a narrow win by the Buckeyes.
"If you want to call it my role, you can," the senior safety said during preparations for today's Big Ten opener against Northwestern. "I just go out there and do my job, play hard, and when the play's there, I take advantage of it. That's all you can do."
Allen's string of big plays is almost as long as the streak.
Last year, with Allen seeing limited action as a nickel back and sub, he provided pivotal plays in three victories as Ohio State collected its first national championship in 34 years.
Allen intercepted Cincinnati's last-gasp pass into the end zone to preserve a 23-19 win. In the annual November showdown with rival Michigan, he picked off a pass just inside the goal line on the final play as the Buckeyes survived 14-9.
McGahee hit
It was Allen who had the clean hit that sidelined Miami star Willis McGahee with a knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl, a game the Buckeyes went on to win 31-24 in double overtime.
This season, Allen has made a difference as the Buckeyes have barely won games the last three weeks.
He went 100 yards with an interception for Ohio State's only touchdown in a 16-13 win over 32-point underdog San Diego State, then recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown in a 44-38 triple-overtime victory over North Carolina State.
On fourth and goal from just outside the 1 on the final play of that game, Allen lowered his shoulder to stop the Wolfpack's T.A. McClendon inches short of the goal line to preserve the win.
In last week's 24-17 victory over Bowling Green, Allen picked off Josh Harris' pass to thwart a last-minute drive.
Big-play reputation
"We know that Will is always going to make a big play," linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "We don't want to wait for him to make a big play -- everyone else is trying to do it also. But it's a good feeling knowing we have a senior back there who's going to make a big play late in the game."
After Allen's interception last Saturday, he ran out the clock and was mobbed by teammates.
"It's beginning to be second nature to have the ball in my hands at the end of the game," he said later.
Others have noticed. ESPN analyst Mark May includes Allen on his Heisman list.
Allen laughed and said he doesn't take any of it seriously.
"That's just amazing," he said, shaking his head.
Allen has spent three years with the Buckeyes biding his time until he finally became a starter. The Dayton native enjoys music and is teaching himself to play the piano. He is a devoted Christian and his comments are peppered with references to God and how blessed Allen considers himself.
The Buckeyes have been fortunate to have Allen.
Ohio State's defense is permitting just 24 yards rushing a game -- less than a yard per attempt. Allen is third on the Buckeyes in tackles. He also shares the team lead with Hawk with two interceptions.
In the winning streak, Ohio State has won 10 games by a touchdown or less. Allen would prefer that the Buckeyes would put teams away so he wouldn't have to make any more game-saving plays.
"We've just got to tighten up and finish the game off," he said.