On the heels of a 2002 national title, Ohio State rode a 16-game winning streak into its home contest vs. North Carolina State on Sept. 13, 2003. Having struggled mightily the previous week (winning 16-13 against a San Diego State team that finished the 2003 season 4-9 overall, it was clear the Buckeyes were still searching for their championship form. On the hot/late summer day, Jim Tressel and company seemed to be righting the early-season struggles against the underdog Wolfpack by jumping out to a two-score lead in the first quarter. The period featured touchdowns from Michael Jenkins and Lydell Ross to build a 14-0 cushion in front of a home crowd anxious for a stress-free game after agonizing against the Aztecs. Unfortunately for the Scarlet and Gray faithful, former Bobby Bowden assistant and head coach of NC State, Chuck Amato, had different plans. A late first-half score put the…
Continue Reading: ON THIS DAY: Buckeyes Escape Triple-Overtime Thriller vs. NC State in 2003
