The 2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes compiled a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference games), finished in third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 284 to 213. Against ranked opponents, the Buckeyes lost to No. 14 UCLA and No. 12 Illinois and defeated No. 14 Northwestern and No. 11 Michigan. They concluded the season with a 31–28 loss to No. 14 South Carolina in the 2002 Outback Bowl. For the second consecutive season, the Buckeyes were unranked in the final AP and Coaches polls.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 190.3 rushing yards and 178.7 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 140.5 rushing yards and 194.3 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Steve Bellisari (1,599 passing yards, 53.0% completion percentage), running back Jonathan Wells (1,257 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 90 points scored), and wide receiver Michael Jenkins (41 receptions for 836 yards). Center LeCharles Bentley was selected as a consensus first-team All-American. Three Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 2001 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Bentley; offensive tackle Tyson Walter; and defensive back Mike Doss.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Schedule
Rankings
Preseason The 2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football season marked a transition from former head coach John Cooper to new head coach Jim Tressel. Tressel was beginning his first season as head coach at the Division I-A level as the 22nd head coach of the Buckeyes. He came from Youngstown State University where he led the Penguins to four national championships at the Division I-AA level. The Buckeyes finished the 2000 season with an 8–4 record and Coach Cooper was later fired on January 2, 2001.
Prior to Cooper's firing, the Buckeyes were ranked 23rd in the AP Poll, losing in the 2001 Outback Bowl to the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 24–7.
Game summaries Akron
USA Today
UCLA
Indiana
Northwestern
Wisconsin
San Diego State
Penn State
Minnesota
Purdue
Illinois
Michigan
South Carolina—Outback Bowl
Personnel Coaching staff Jim Tressel - Head Coach (1st year) Jim Bollman - Offensive Line/OC (1st year) Ken Conaster - Special Teams (1st year) Bill Conley - Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator (15th year) Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks (1st year) Mark Dantonio - Defensive Coordinator (1st year) Jim Heacock - Defensive Line (6th year) Mark Snyder - Defensive Linebackers (1st year) Tim Spencer - Running Backs (8th year) Mel Tucker - Defensive Backs (1st year) Bob Tucker - Director of Football Operations (7th year) Dick Tressel - Associate Director of Football Operations (1st year)
Roster
Depth chart
Source: Athletic Department official site, 2001 football archive 12-01 depth chart
2002 NFL draftees LeCharles Bentley 2 44 Guard New Orleans Saints Derek Ross 3 75 Defensive back Dallas Cowboys Jonathan Wells 4 99 Running back Houston Texans Darnell Sanders 4 122 Tight End Cleveland Browns Jamar Martin 4 129 Fullback Dallas Cowboys Courtland Bullard 5 167 Linebacker St. Louis Rams Tyson Walter 6 179 Center Dallas Cowboys Steve Bellisari 6 205 Quarterback St. Louis Rams
References