A MEMORABLE WALK

Most of us have Rose Bowl memories; some good and some not so much.  I have a vivid recollection of the January 1, 1976, upset in Pasadena that will never be erased.

1975 was our season.  My first year in TBDBITL.  Starting the undefeated regular season with a revenge win in East Lansing against the Charlie Baggett-led Spartans.  A thorough stomping of UCLA (41-20) in Los Angeles in late-September.  The _ichigan comeback on Ray Griffin's interception.  The #1 ranking in all of college football.  Great stuff to be sure.

Only one game left for the national championship.  Against a UCLA team we had already dominated once that season.  We were one confident bunch of Buckeyes.  Especially a young alto horn player from Canal Winchester.......

Then the air went out of our balloon.  An off day for OSU while the Bruins could do no wrong in front of their "home" crowd in the Rose Bowl.  It added up to an embarrassing 23-10 loss.

As the final seconds ticked away came my lasting memory of Woody.  Head down, plodding slowly across the field went our coach, reaching out his hand to a jubilant Dick Vermeil.  All I could do was stand there and watch history being made. 

I believe that single moment was the beginning of the end for WW Hayes.  Sure, we had good teams after that.  But not like that team.  No more Arch.  No more Flam 7.  The bubble was burst and the long road winding down to that final night in Jacksonville was before us.

Upon our return to Ohio I had a weekend or so at home before heading back to winter quarter.  I was pretty quiet and not too mature about the whole experience.  My dad, who taught me a lot about being a Buckeye fan, never said a word to me about that game.  Ever.  Guess it was a bad memory for him too.

Let's cheer for a better outcome against the Ducks.  I have a good feeling about this one!

Go Bucks!  Yea Ohio!