We have just 8 days to go, and for Day #8, I’d like to introduce a friend of mine.
Bobby Olive was a walk-on at The Ohio State University in 1988, and he quickly got a major role as a wide receiver under new head coach John Cooper. And it wasn’t too long before Ohio State fans quickly adopted him as their new hero.
In Week 3 of his freshman season, LSU came to Columbus with a 14-game on-the-road winning streak. The game was a battle through most of the first 3.5 quarters, but a lucky deflection gave LSU a 56-yard TD and a 33-20 lead with just under 4:30 to play in the game. Tiger fans began to celebrate their victory.
But the LSU fans didn’t see the freight train coming. Ohio State marched down the field and scored with 2 minutes left to make it 33-27. It was then the defense’s turn to rise up, and they did their job. They shut down two runs (followed by quick timeouts) and on 3rd and long, LSU threw incomplete. On 4th down, the Tigers chose to retreat and take the safety, making it 33-29.
On the ensuing free kick, Olive took the ball at his own 32 and began racing up the middle. At midfield, he made an amazing cut to his left and dodged three defenders before flying out of bounds at LSU’s 39. Ohio Stadium was on fire with excitement!
Just a few plays later….well, why not watch it for yourself? Courtesy of Our Honor Defend…..
The Buckeyes scored 16 points in under a minute and a half and they beat LSU 36-33.
But Olive wasn’t done with his heroics…..
Two years later, Ohio State was in Iowa City taking on the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa had visions of a Big Ten Championship and a National Championship (and they had the talent for both).
However, Iowa simply couldn’t put the Buckeyes away that day, and they barely led 26-21 with just over a minute to play. QB Greg Frey (who was 10 of 31 before the final drive) took the Bucks down the field and brought them to the doorstep. Then Olive did his thing one more time.
Again, courtesy of Our Honor Defend….
Olive went on the NFL and played for the Cleveland Browns before retiring after 5 seasons.
But we remember him fondly as a Buckeye, and today we honor him. Thanks, Bobby!
8 days left!!!
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