Best 5 minutes in Ohio State History

The Editor of the O-Zone asked a question of the best 5 minutes in Ohio State's history.  This was in response to Jack Park's assertion that Vic Janowicz's first five minutes vs Iowa in 1950 was the greatest in history.  His performance that day can never be equaled since players no longer go both ways and the rise of specialty kicking has all but eliminated player kickers (coaches won't risk a kicker getting injured).  His question got me thinking about the best games I've seen and the best 5 minute span.  Certainly the last drive against Arizona State was amazing as was about 4 of the games during the 2002 championship run.  The comeback vs Illinois in 1984 was amazing as was the comeback vs Minnesota in 1989 and the one vs 1990 vs Iowa.   These were all amazing wins but none of them had the concentrated goodness that occurred against Notre Dame in 1995.


Ohio State was down 7-17 in the second quarter but scored right before the half on a beautiful pass from Hoying to Dimitrious Stanley. Notre Dame responded at the start of the second half with a time eating drive that extended their lead to 14-20. The following events start at about the 6 minute mark in the 3rd quarter:

• The Buckeyes stall on a drive and are forced to punt.
• Brent Bartholomew's punt is fumbled by Notre Dame's Emmett Mosley and Ohio State recovers on the Notre Dame 17.
• 3 plays later Rickey Dudley scores on a 15 yard pass from Bobby Hoying. (5:06 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Notre Dame quickly responds and marches inside the Ohio State 30 but are pushed back to the 33 as the Buckeye defense stiffens.
• On 3rd and 10, Shawn Springs makes an unbelievable diving interception at the Ohio State 11 to stop the Notre Dame drive. (2:50 left in the 3rd quarter)
• After getting 6 yards from Eddie George on first down, Bobby Hoying hits Terry Glenn on a hook who then splits the defenders to score a 77 yard touchdown. (1:20 left in the 3rd quarter)
• On the first play of the following possession, Notre Dame's Ron Powlus fumbles the snap and it is recovered by Ohio State's Matt Bonhaus at Notre Dame's 13. (1 minute left in the 3rd quarter)
• Three plays later Eddie George runs to the left side behind Orlando Pace to score from 5 yard out. (14:55 left in the 4th quarter)

Technically this series of events I described took about 6 minutes of clock but if you count from Dudley's touchdown to to George's touchdown it took a little over 5 minutes. In that time the game went from a 14-20 game that Lou Holtz was hoping to put away with another long methodical drive to a 35-20 Ohio State domination.

I've heard others compare Ohio State crowds but for me nothing comes close to the 1995 Notre Dame game. Part of the reason might be that I sat in the B deck sound chamber. That wasn't the only reason though as the officials warned the fans a few times to quiet down or the Buckeye's would be penalized. The team made keeping quiet impossible with a series of plays centered around Terry Glenn's amazing run and I will remember these events to my dying day.

Here's some links for those of you who don't remember the game. My thanks to OurHonorDefend for the Youtube video. I watch it every few months to relive the highlights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc3i1iGgR44

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95273/95273378.htm

For best 5 minutes from one player (that doesn't have the last name of Janowicz) I'd have to go with Bob White and the 1957 Iowa game.  Iowa was ranked 5th going into this game and the Buckeyes 6th. The game see-sawed back and forth all day but with 7:51 remaining the Buckeyes faced a 10-13 deficit. They started on their 32 yard line and Woody decided to "win the surest way" by repeatedly giving the ball to the big fullback. After 11 straight runs by White, he scored to give the Buckeyes a 17-13 lead with 3:53 remaining. The defense held on the Hawkeye's following possession and the Buckeyes earned a trip to Pasadena.

The most amazing thing about Bob's achievement was everyone in the stadium knew exactly what was coming but Iowa couldn't stop him. He finished the day with 157 yards on 22 carries and earned a special place in Buckeye lore.


http://www.buckeye50.com/Drive_11_1957_Iowa.html
----
Note:  I recently found out that Bob White sat out one play to get a breather during that drive.  I based my information on a quote by Richard Nixon who was at the game.  I should have known better than to trust "Tricky Dick".  That takes nothing from Bob White as he pretty much put the team on his shoulders and won the game.