1. Chris Gamble's pass interference call
2. Ted Ginn's hurt ankle during the celebration
There are a few images that last from each title game. These two last.
I can't be too upset, because the other one from the 2003 Fiesta Bowl would be Willis McGahee getting his knee torn up by Will Allen. The other image from this years game would be...Tim Tebow throwing? Tim Tebow running? Leak throwing? Harvin running?
In high school, Chris Gamble was a hightly touted wide receiver and kick returner. He also played basketball his junior year and was a starter when his team won the state championship. When he played at Ohio State, he started as a wideout and gradually moved to defense.
In 2002, he scored his only touchdown on offense on a reverse. He was second in the team in receiving and was first on the team with four picks. In the national title game, he had a 57 yard catch in the national title game to set up a field goal.
His most memorable moment was during overtime of the title game versus Miami. On fourth down, QB Krenzel threw to Gamble, but the pass was incomplete. Miami fans rushed onto the field thinking the game was over, but a penalty was called. OSU then scored, sending it into double overtime, where they won the game.
Gamble left after two seasons, and was picked with the 28th pick in the 1st round by the Carolina Panthers. You now know Chris Gamble as the shut-down corner of sorts, compiling 16 interceptions and two touchdowns in his first three seasons.
In high school Ted Ginn did everythin'. He was the USA Today National Defensive player of the year in 2004, MVP of the US Army All-America game. As for the stats:
932 yds 12 TDs Passing
845 yds 17 TDs Rushing
8 Picks 5 TDs Defensive
4 Punts 1 Kickoff Returning
110 high hurdles national champion as a junior...best time as a senior and was state champion
In one spring practice at Ohio State, Ginn posted an amazing 4.06 40 Yard Dash.
When Ted Ginn came to "replace" Chris Gamble, he was the #1 nationally ranked defensive back. He practiced all preseason with the defense but was switched to offense just before the season. Ginn was clearly more athletic than Gamble, and we knew we were getting someone special.
In his freshman year, he had two receiving, two rushing, and four punt return touchdowns. In the bowl game versus Oklahoma State, he even took a few snaps at quarterback for the depleted QB core of OSU.
In his sophomore year, he was one of the leading Heisman candidates heading into the season. He continued to amaze us in clutch situations with nine catches against Michigan, three on the game-winning drive, and set a career-high 167 receiving yards in the bowl game against Notre Dame. Finished second in receiving on the team to Santonio Holmes.
In 2006, he continued to be a deep threat for Troy Smith and even passed for a touchdown. Like Chris Gamble, his final season would culminate in a national championship game. On the opening kickoff, Ted Ginn returned the kick for a touchdown. In the pileup afterward, he sprained his ankle and would not return. Ohio State ended up getting routed by Florida 41-14.
So...the start and finishes between the #7s were completely opposite. Gamble started as a wideout and finished as a corner. Ginn started as a corner and finsihed as a wideout. Gamble won. Ginn lost. One thing that will be the same: Gamble was a first round pick and Ginn is likely to be a high first rounder.
I make one final plea to Ginn as the deadline is tomorrow: Please stay! We have a great, maturing defense, a great two-headed running game, and virtually no experienced targets for our likely young QB. Please end your story the way it should end!
And if it shall end this way...here's to hoping to continue our "tradition" of #7.
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