Tampa Bay Football History Network

2002 Outback Bowl

The contracts with the Big Ten, SEC, ESPN and title sponsor Outback Steakhouse were extended through the 2006 game. The game would still have the third choice from each conference, however, the wording of the contract with the SEC made it more likely that teams from the East Division would be selected.

For the first time, the Outback Bowl featured a rematch from the previous year. Ohio State became the first school to appear in the game four times. The Buckeyes went 7-4 and were number twenty-two in the polls. It was the thirty-third bowl game for OSU and the first under new head coach Jim Tressel. South Carolina had an 8-3 season under Lou Holtz and a number twelve ranking. It was the eleventh overall bowl appearance for the Gamecocks. Just like the year before, the matchup produced a quick sellout with a crowd of 66,249.

After a scoreless first quarter, that featured six punts and three fumbles, things began to heat up. Game MVP Phil Petty (19 of 37 for 227 yards with an INT) threw for two scores and fullback Andrew Pinnock ran for two touchdowns, as South Carolina took a 28-0 lead late in the third quarter. Craig Krenzel (1 of 2 for 4 yards with an INT) started at quarterback for Ohio State, then Steve Bellisari (21 of 35 for 320 yards with an INT) took over late in first quarter. Bellisari threw for two TDs, and ran for another, as OSU staged the biggest comeback in Outback history. Buckeyes receiver Michael Jenkins caught eight passes for a bowl record 152 yards. With 1:54 left to play, Darnell Sanders grabbed his second touchdown pass of the day and the game was tied at 28-28. The decisive points came on a 42 yard field goal by Daniel Weaver. As time expired, the kick just made it over the crossbar and the Gamecocks had a 31-28 victory. Lou Holtz said after his team posted the first back-to-back bowl victories in school history, "People are going to look at this two ways. How did you get up on them 28-0? How did you blow a 28 point lead? In both cases, I would say it's great play by both teams."

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