Joe Germaine led Ohio State to a Rose
Bowl win in 1997. (AP photo) |
After an incredible 23-year drought that stretched back to Archie
Griffin’s sophomore year, Ohio State finally won the Rose Bowl
in dramatic fashion. In one of the most exciting Rose Bowl contests
ever played, game MVP quarterback Joe Germaine engineered a 65-yard
drive in less than 90 seconds and tossed the game-winning, 5-yard
TD pass to David Boston with just 19 seconds showing.
Germaine completed 9-of-17 passes for 131 yards and two scores
in a thrilling, see-saw contest. His 72-yard, third-quarter TD strike
to Dimitrious Stanley put OSU on top 14-10. But Arizona State quarterback
Jake Plummer gave the Sun Devils the lead on an 11-yard scramble
with just 1:40 remaining. That set up the final, frantic heroics.
Sophomore safety Damon Moore had 12 tackles and freshman linebacker
Andy Katzenmoyer recorded five tackles for loss and intercepted
a pass to spearhead the stout OSU defense.
The decision cost undefeated Arizona State a national championship.
The 11-1 Buckeyes finished No. 2 behind 11-1 Florida in the national
polls. ASU wound up No. 4.
