1/3/2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Championship, Ohio State vs Miami, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

18 years ago...

January 3, 2003 - Tempe, AZ

One of college football's most exciting games took place in this National Championship game at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl as Ohio State defeated Miami 31-24 in double overtime.

The game featured many controversial calls on questionable penalties, none bigger than a pass interference call in the end zone on Miami in the first OT, giving the Buckeyes the chance to continue the game with a TD.

The game had plenty of star power, with 37 of the starting players on both teams drafted in to the NFL, including 18 first-rounders.  Canes RB Willis McGahee shredded his knee in this game, but recovered for a good NFL career.  Buckeyes freshman RB Maurice Clarett should have been a stud at the next level.

Family members/Buckeye Nation devotees Steve Bruns, Eddie Bruns and Rich Bruns extended their holiday trip to stay in AZ for the game.  The twists and turns of this back and forth game had us fired up well after it ended.  We stayed up all night long watching the replay on a VHS tape, and running back the end zone DPI at least a dozen times.

Fiesta Bowl Committee Member Win Holden sold me $100 in Hole-In-One entries, making us a game "sponsor," including a scoreboard shout-out and listing in the official game program.

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