Mailbox: Readers don't like letter calling Ohio State Buckeyes lucky in 2003 Fiesta Bowl

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com

On Ohio State football

To the editor: Jaime Rodriguez forgot one thing. The call against Miami was correct! It was five seconds too late. I'll definitely agree on that point. But, it was the correct call. Are you also going to argue about the just-barely-made-it call against TTUN, also?  Because, that was the correct call, as close as it was.

Matt Alban, Newark

To Brian: Letter writer Jaime Alvarez wrote to perpetuate the myth that a referee stole the college football championship game from Miami 20 years ago which the Buckeyes won. First, just because it took a second for the referee to grasp his flag does not mean there wasn't a penalty. But if you are looking for a blown call in that game, watch when that game is replayed and the OSU third-down play with about two minutes left in the game. Replay clearly shows Michael Jenkins caught that pass which referees ruled incomplete and it also shows the defender with a handful of jersey a foot away from his body which was not called. If either of those calls were called correctly, the Buckeyes run out the clock and win without going to overtime.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

To Matt, Dennis: I can tell you from many years of firsthand experience how annoying it is to be around Miami fans talking about that pass interference call, and I'm hoping that in 20 years my Ohio neighbors aren't the same way with the hit on Harrison or missed holding calls against Georgia. I can also tell you that I could go through film of any game I've coached or seen and agonize over missed or wrong calls. One in the final seconds five years ago got in the way of a high school football team I was coaching from winning a state championship. Officials are human. They get a lot of calls correct and they make some mistakes as they officiate in real (fast) time. It hurts fans. And we move on.

To Mr. White: You’re a very good writer. However, I can’t defend Ryan Day’s six losses any more than I could try and defend Jim Harbaugh’s 0-6 record in bowl games. Why? Because Ryan Day’s six losses are the biggest games he’s coached. Zero wins in playoff games (Alabama, Clemson, Georgia), Oregon at home, and now back-to-back losses to "the team up north."

Not to mention, you or I may very well have been able to coach this talent to the games he has won (let’s face it, the Big 10 is not that great). And his best season and only win vs. Michigan was clearly Urban Meyer’s team. And Jim Tressel, you could’ve bet your life savings on him to have beat Georgia. No way is Tressel passing on second-and-1, third-and-1 at midfield, which resulted in a punt for Ryan Day after two dumb pass-play calls. The game could have been put away on that drive. Not to mention fourth-and-inches, another pass play call that resulted in illegal procedure. Nope, Tressel and Urban are under center doing a QB sneak there.

And, yes, our defensive coordinator should’ve stayed in zone the whole fourth quarter. But the biggest blunder was clock management. Snapping the ball a dozen times in the fourth quarter with 15-20 seconds left. Say what you will about Jim Tressel, but Georgia never sees the ball with 2:39 to go in the game if he’s coaching.

Sorry, the six losses and especially the Georgia game all fall on Ryan Day.

Pete Espo

Editor's note: Day is actually 1-3 in the playoffs with a 49-28 win against Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl.

To the editor: The Buckeyes were only 5 yards short of a being the national champions. We need to carry that chant into 2023. Had they gotten just 5 yards closer, since Noah Ruggles had put one through from 45 earlier, he would have had the confidence needed in such a high-pressure situation. Also, If Harrison hadn't been knocked out, he probably would have gotten that 5, or more, or even a TD in that final drive.  The Bucks had the Dawgs on their heels.

Bill Davis, Newark

On Joe Burrow

To the editor: Kudos to Rob Oller for his column regarding Joe Burrow. Count me among those who look back sadly on Joe's three years "riding the pines" under a former OSU football coach − the same coach who later flamed out in the NFL and then humiliated himself on a stool in a bar he owned.

Kudos also to Joe (and his parents) for quietly leaving Ohio State and going elsewhere to prove his that his feats as a star high school quarterback were bona fide. What's now unfolding again before our eyes in the NFL playoffs should surprise no one.

I'm too big of a chicken to be a sports gambler, but I'm certain I would never lay down so much as a dollar betting against the young man from The Plains.

John Meyer

To Mr. White: Someone should tell the story of Joe Thomas, first ballot Hall of Famer, to Rob “Bengal Bandwagon” Oller when discussing Ohio sports legends.

Ned Lindsey

To Ned: I'm not sure "Bandwagon Rob" (or should it be "Bandwagon Bob"?) reads this column, but I'll pass it on to him as he tells his Browns-loving family how he's actually not a Bengals fan. Or actually a fan of anything except his boss, his family and his golf.

On Ohio State basketball

To the editor: Chris Holtmann hasn't won a conference title or advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament during his first five seasons at the helm (not including the COVID season, but making an educated guess this year's team isn't on the verge of great things). Are you able to recall any Power 5 coach not having meaningful success his first five years and then going on to much better results thereafter? Maybe this is the ceiling under Holtmann, and if so, is that enough for the powers that be at OSU?

Bernard Diggins

On outdoor hockey

To the editor: I read with interest Michael Arace’s column, “One theory:  OSU gets outdoor game after Jackets win lottery.” One issue not addressed was who the Blue Jackets might play against in such a game. The other was added incentive for fans to fill the seats at the "Shoe.”

I propose a doubleheader, with the first game featuring our OSU Buckeyes’ hockey team playing Michigan, followed by Columbus playing the Detroit Red Wings or Pittsburgh Penguins.

Most of the cold weather costs to prepare the stadium would not increase significantly for an added second game, and the potential of increased interest on ticket and TV revenue would help make the games a financial success.

Seeing two attractive “rivalry” games for the price of one, plus the opponent’s fans being close enough to drive to the game, could ensure an all-time record crowd in attendance for both a college and an NHL game, whether indoors or outdoors.

Joe Barmess, Pataskala 

More from the Mailbox:

'Back off!': Readers come to the defense of Ohio State football coach Ryan Day

Threatening OSU players makes no sense; and did refs want Georgia to win for ESPN?

Praise for Ohio State's CJ Stroud, but jeers for Jim Knowles and Rob Oller

Ohio State DBs need better technique; and Pete Rose ushering in gambling is tacky

Disdain for the NIL era and joy at Ohio State's possible rematch with Michigan

Ohio State football coaches' bonuses in wake of Michigan loss adds to the pain

Ohio State lost to Michigan in football, and readers aren't happy

How dare Ohio State fans think about football at a Columbus Blue Jackets game!

Ryan Day, CJ Stroud get lifetime passes for Kamryn Babb's emotional Ohio State TD

Ryan Day outcoached, OSU line is soft, and about the Woody vs. Day comparison ...

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Readers dislike letter calling OSU lucky in 2003 Fiesta Bowl: Letters