One of the few downsides to attending Ohio University was its sub-par athletic programs. I'm not saying no good athletes go to school in Athens (here's proof that some do), but the fact is Ohio is a MAC school and just doesn't compete on the same level as schools from bigger conferences.
I also don't want to give the impression that I loathed covering Ohio sports. During my four years in college I grew to enjoy MAC football, basketball and even volleyball. Getting to cover the MAC basketball tournament in Cleveland for two years was some of the most fun I had working for WOUB. In fact, I think it's becuase Ohio is a MAC school that journalism students get so much hands-on experience covering Ohio athletics. At a Big Ten or SEC school, you'd have to battle with tons of local media for press passes and access to coaches and players. In Athens, the Athens Messenger and Ohio students compose most of the media covering sporting events. MAC sports will always hold a special place in my heart, but when you return to the real world as I have now, you remember that college sports are played on a different level in the bigger conferences.
This brings me to number 2 on my countdown. While working for WOUB, the chances to see Ohio teams compete on the big stage were rare at most. The football team had an impressive 2006 season, winning the MAC-East and playing in the GMAC Bowl. Unfortunately, I was still a sophomore and therefore too low on the totem pole to get to cover either of the team's postseason games. The 2007 season saw the Bobcats visit Lane Stadium to take on Virginia Tech, but again I was snubbed from making the trip to Blacksburg. As frustrated as that made me, I had a trump card waiting for me during my senior year: Ohio's trip to Columbus to play Ohio State at the Horseshoe.
Growing up in the Columbus area, I had been fortunate enough to attend a handful of Buckeye football games at Ohio Stadium. Usually these trips had me watching the game from C-Deck or high in the south stands of the stadium, where you can almost tell who the players are. Still, attending a game at one of the biggest stadiums in the country is a great experience and an atmosphere unlike any other.
Except for covering a game at the same stadium.
The Bobcat Blitz crew (me, Joe Flannery and Jake Young) made the trip to C-Bus on the first Saturday in September excited for what we were about to experience. Once we got to the stadium, our first stop was the press box to get some lunch (I feel like I need to mention the fact that they serve McDonald's iced coffee and McFlurries in the press box...that's how you know you're big-time). After we finished eating, we made the trek to the field...and it was amazing.
As impressive as Ohio Stadium is to watch a game in as a fan, it's exponentially greater to be on the turf. Being on field level and looking up at the stands made me feel smaller than I ever have in my life.
Once the game started, the intensity was incredible. The stadium got so loud I could feel it, and when the Bobcats faced a third down it jumped to an even higher level. Hearing hell's bells over the audio system and the ensuing spike in crowd noise literally gave me chills.
As impressive as the atmosphere was to experience, on that day the Bobcats were just as good. The Ohio defense played inspired football and seemed completely un-phased by its surroundings. Thanks to this stout defense and a Donte Harden touchdown run, the 'Cats led 7-6 at halftime and, despite the odds stacked against them, had a legitimate chance to win the game.
That chance got more realistic early in the second half. After Ohio's opening drive stalled, Matt Schulte booted a punt that pinned Ohio State at its own six-yard line. Buckeye QB Todd Boeckman then fumbled a snap that Curtis Meyers recovered in the end zone, giving the Bobcats an eight-point lead.
Unfortunately, things then started to unravel for Ohio. Daniel "Boom" Herron found the end zone and cut the Ohio lead to 14-12, before the Bobcats finally showed some jitters on the big stage.
After an impressive defensive stop, Ohio was set to get the ball back late in the third quarter. But Marc Parson muffed the Ohio State punt and the Buckeyes took over deep in Ohio territory. Brandon Saine scored in the fourth to give Ohio State the lead and Ray Small (who I hate) scored on a punt return later to finish off the 26-14 Ohio State victory (made me hate him more).
I went to the game excited to experience the atmosphere of an Ohio State football game on a whole new level, but the day was made even better by the game itself. The Bobcats seemingly had no chance entering the game, but the game played out in a much different way. Aside from the muffed punt and a couple poor throws, the Bobcats did not seem at all out of place on the field with the Buckeyes. They hung with one ofthe top-five football teams in the country (at the time) in a hostile environment, almost pulling out an incredible victory. I'm just glad that I got to experience the entire game first-hand.
And so, only one item remains on my countdown. If you know me very well, you probably already know what it is. If not, shame on you.
Another memory of this day is my choke job on the big stage haha
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