2000 Ohio State Buckeyes football team


The 2000 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 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 13th and final year under head coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes compiled an 8–4 record, finished in fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 324 to 198. Against ranked opponents, the Buckeyes defeated No. 24 Wisconsin and lost to No. 16 Purdue and No. 19 [2000 2000 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]. They concluded the season with a 24–7 loss to unranked South Carolina in the 2001 Outback Bowl. Cooper was fired two days after the Buckeyes' loss in the Outback Bowl; he had compiled a 2-10-1 record against rival Michigan and a 3–8 record in bowl games.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 161.9 rushing yards and 208.4 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 91.6 rushing yards and 227.7 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Steve Bellisari, running back Derek Combs, wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo, and kicker Dan Stultz. Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 2000 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Stultz; linebacker Joe Cooper; and defensive backs Nate Clements and Mike Doss.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Game summaries

Purdue

Illinois

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Personnel

Coaching staff