HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - JANUARY 1, 2009
I was reminded on Bucknuts this morning that today is the 40th anniversary of a
very special day; the 1969 Rose Bowl Game. That is the day our Ohio
State Buckeyes beat the U$C Trojans (and O.J. Simpson) 27-16. And the day
I became a Buckeye for life.
It started out innocently enough. My Dad and I went to
I'll remember the first half 80-yard TD run by O.J. for as long as I
live. Kurt Goudy practically drooled on the microphone extolling the
virtues of the "Juice." But for some reason that day, I knew
the Buckeyes would come through.
And come through they did! Rex Kern, my favorite Buckeye of all time, led
an offense that dominated the time of possession from O.J.'s run to the end of
the game. And the defense shut down the Heisman Trophy winner (O.J.)
the rest of the way to the delight of Buckeye fans everywhere. It was
probably Woody's greatest game ever.
I also remember thinking as a 12-year old that the Buckeyes just might not lose
another game ever. And they were well on their way to doing just that,
until the following November in Ann Arbor, when upstart Glenn
"Bo" Schembeckler started the 10-year war with Woody and the Buckeyes
by pulling off the greatest upset in the history of the series.
Now we face a daunting task next week against the Texas Longhorns. I
think we'll play them pretty tough; maybe win, maybe not. Either way,
I'll still wake up a Buckeye on Tuesday morning thanks in part to the 1969 Rose
Bowl.
GO BUCKS! BEAT BEVO!
TBDBITL John