I have a horrible memory.
I had like five girlfriends in college, but only remember one of their names. I forget to put my clothes in the dryer for hours and it is getting worse as I get older.
I also have a photographic memory, but it is random, a professor told me there was a medical term for it, but I don’t remember what it was, no punt intended. I can pull obscure stats, names and events from years ago that fit into whatever I am trying to described. Some see it as a quirk, I see it as a gift.
As I traveled following this unlikely journey of Ohio State to the National Championship one singular play came to mind. While I was in Indianapolis, New Orleans and finally Dallas I just couldn’t help think that this was the play that changed everything. There are 10000s of plays during the season and if the ball bounces a certain way there are a million different outcomes, bit for whatever the reason this play stuck with me.
It seems like a long time ago, but Ohio State did lose to Virginia Tech and at the point no one thought they could ever get back into the National Championship picture. Most people thought what little hope they had would die in a road night game at Michigan State. Then a certain set of plays happened that started in motion this spectacular run from OSU. To set the scene, Michigan State scores and are up 21-14. OSU fumbles the kickoff and MSU sets up shop inside the red zone. On 3rd and 3 from OSU 11, MSU scores on a running play and then it HAPPENS…..
Holding is called on the play, MSU fails to convert on 3rd down, misses FG and OSU’s next play is a 79 yard TD pass. In the span of a minute, instead of being down 28-14 on the road in a hostile environment, the game is tied 21-21. OSU would go on to win 49-37. Who knows what happens if that holding call never happens, but it should tell you how one play can change the fate of a team. After beating MSU, the Buckeyes never looked back and now are the undisputed National Champions.