T.A. McLendon can't reach the end zone on the final play of the game. (Beth Thompson/Gannett News Service)

COLUMBUS -- They had it won, and then they didn't.

They had it won again, and then they didn't.

Then they had it lost. And, remarkably, then they didn't.

It was just another nail-biting, breathtaking, heart-stopping day -- and nearly night -- at the office for the defeat-defying Buckeyes as Ohio State survived three overtimes and a record-setting day by opposing quarterback Philip Rivers to beat North Carolina State 44-38 on Saturday.

OSU extended the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games -- a span that has included nine wins by seven points or less and three overtime victories (stretching over six OT periods) in the last six games.

If not for the national title implications, the double OT win at the Fiesta Bowl would have nothing on this yawner-turned-thriller.

"In the huddle during overtime we talked about how this is what you come to Ohio State for," said quarterback Craig Krenzel after overcoming three interceptions in regulation to throw three touchdowns in the extra periods. "Whether it's early in the season, or against Miami for the national championship, it's a big game ... so let's go do the job."

Perhaps fittingly, given the bizarre tone of this game, a marathon afternoon that featured eight touchdown passes and more than 600 yards in receptions came down to smashmouth football on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1.

Tailback T.A. McLendon, expected to miss the game with a knee injury, took the handoff out of one of N.C. State's typically funky formations and headed over left tackle. Meeting him almost immediately were linebackers Robert Reynolds and A.J. Hawk.

Will Allen, last week's 100-yard hero with his interception return against San Diego State, became the half-inch hero this time, throwing the shoulder that would cause McLendon's knee to buckle just short of the end zone before he extended his arms and the ball over the goal line.

"I just reacted ... I was just being a football player," Allen said. "Thank God I was right there because he would have scored. They had run the same play on their (second) overtime touchdown and caught us off guard, but this time we were ready for it."

It was a tough ending to swallow for Rivers on a day when he was 36 of 52 for 315 yards and four TDs. He had led the 24th-ranked Wolfpack (1-2) on five consecutive scoring drives until the final series, setting Atlantic Coast Conference career records for touchdowns, yardage and completions.

"I was hoping the defense would over-run it and T.A. would cut back and maybe go airborne, but that's one of the things our trainers said before the game he couldn't do," Rivers said. "It was close. I can't complain about it. It was a great game and it came down to a few inches."

Handing the ball off to the tailbacks wasn't a viable option for Ohio State once it blew a 24-7 fourth-quarter lead and headed into overtime with the game tied 24-24.

Through regulation, the third-ranked Buckeyes (3-0) were dreadful -- is that worse than anemic? -- on offense. They mustered only nine first downs and suffered five turnovers, relying on a fumbled kickoff recovery by Allen and interceptions by linebacker A.J. Hawk and safety Brandon Mitchell to set up 17 of their points.

The running game was the biggest disaster. Junior tailbacks Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross had absolutely nowhere to run, combining for three yards rushing on 17 carries.

Yet it looked like OSU was going to win easily until redshirt freshman Santonio Holmes muffed a punt with less than 10 minutes left. It was his second muff of the season and fourth fumble dating back to the spring game.

That turnover triggered a run of 17 unanswered points by the Wolfpack, with Rivers and tight end T.J. Williams hooking up on a 5-yard pass with 21 seconds left to send it into overtime.

N.C. State had all the momentum, but OSU struck first in the first OT on Krenzel's 10-yard pass to tight end Ben Hartsock. The 'Pack answered on a 17-yard strike from Rivers to Tramain Hall, making it 31 all.

N.C. State had the ball first in the second OT and scored on a 2-yard run by McLendon, taking its first lead of the game 38-31. Krenzel, so cool when things look so dire, countered with a two-yard scoring pass to tight end Ryan Hamby.

In the third OT, Krenzel (26 of 36, 273 yards) threaded a seven-yard strike to Michael Jenkins (7 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs) on third-and-three, and that -- finally -- held up as the game-winner.

The Buckeyes ran 13 plays in the three overtimes -- none of them handoffs to a running back. Krenzel was 10 of 12 for 70 yards for three TDs and added a five-yard scramble. His two-point conversion pass after the third touchdown was tipped at the line, but it wouldn't matter thanks to the subsequent goal-line heroics by the defense.

"It's definitely not the Ohio State everybody is used to," Hartsock said about shunning the power football mentality. "I guess that's a credit to this team and the fact we can show different facets.

"I'm sure coach Tressel isn't going to want to keep it like that. Woody (Hayes) isn't looking down real smiley right now."

Originally published Sunday, September 14, 2003