2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
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, 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, running back Jonathan Wells, and wide receiver Michael Jenkins. 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.
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
Minnesota
Personnel
Coaching staff
- Jim Tressel - Head Coach
- Jim Bollman - Offensive Line/OC
- Ken Conaster - Special Teams
- Bill Conley - Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator
- Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks
- Mark Dantonio - Defensive Coordinator
- Jim Heacock - Defensive Line
- Mark Snyder - Defensive Linebackers
- Tim Spencer - Running Backs
- Mel Tucker - Defensive Backs
- Bob Tucker - Director of Football Operations
- Dick Tressel - Associate Director of Football Operations