Perhaps no player in Ohio State football history was more polarizing than running back Maurice Clarett. As a freshman, Clarett burst onto the scene and helped lead the Buckeyes to a BCS National Championship in 2002, their first championship since 1968. But with a player like Clarett, there’s always more to the story.
Every Ohio State fan remembers the magical 2002 season. The Buckeyes were undefeated and had a date with the mighty Miami Hurricanes. The ‘Canes were kings of college football, and the victory parade was already being planned for Miami as repeat champions. But Clarett and Ohio State had different plans.
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The Buckeyes jumped out to an early lead, but Miami woke up in the second half. Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel was leading his team down the field when the unthinkable happened. Future NFL star safety Sean Taylor intercepted Krenzel in the end zone and started racing up the sideline. That’s when Maurice Clarett made one of the greatest plays in Ohio State football history, catching Taylor from behind and stripping the ball to regain possession. The Buckeyes would, of course, go on to win the title in double overtime.
But without Clarett’s strip of Taylor, history may have looked a little different. The OSU freshman phenom may have literally stolen the title away from “The U” with that one play. As Ohio State prepares to take on the Hurricanes in the postseason for the first time since that fateful night, Clarett is having a bit of fun at Miami’s expense, reminding ‘Canes fans what they lost and that the Buckeyes plan to do it again.
We love the lighthearted jab, although Miami fans may have a different opinion, as they’ve been crying foul over a pass interference call for 20-plus years. The Buckeyes will look to keep stealing the Hurricanes’ holiday cheer when they take on Miami in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year’s Eve.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Former Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett has a reminder for Miami
