Dave Polcyn OSU defensive back Will Allen is tackled after intercepting the final pass of the game to preserve the Buckeye victory.

COLUMBUS -- The tension, like Will Allen's frustration, had reached an almost unbearable level.

"I just kept waiting," Ohio State's senior strong safety said. "I kept wondering, when are you going to come my way so I can do something?"

Most of the 104,358 in Ohio Stadium were probably thinking the same thing as they sat on the edge of their seats, hoping Allen had some game-saving magic left under his invisible Superman's cape.

Of course he did.

Allen intercepted a last-gasp pass at the OSU 28 as the fifth-ranked Buckeyes survived another late rally and avoided their first loss ever in the Horseshoe to an in-state opponent with Saturday's 24-17 victory over Bowling Green.

Playing without injured quarterback Craig Krenzel, Ohio State extended the nation's longest winning streak to 18 games and won its 29th straight All-Ohio matchup in the 'Shoe after nearly blowing a 24-7 fourth quarter lead for the second week in a row.

The Falcons (3-1) scored 10 points over the final 8:46 and were still firing away at the Buckeyes (4-0) when the game ended on Allen's fourth game-saving interception in the last two years.

"We have to start finishing games," said Allen after the Buckeyes won by seven points or less for the 10th time in their streak. "It shouldn't have to come down to a big play like that. Thank God, I was there."

Again.

Two weeks ago, Allen's 100-yard interception return proved to be the difference in a close call with San Diego State. Last week, his game-ending tackle stopped North Carolina State a half-foot short of the goal line in triple overtime.

Actually, Bowling Green's best chance at sending this latest frightmare into overtime came one play earlier when quarterback Josh Harris (33 of 54, 326 yards, 2 TDs) lofted a 47-yard pass into the left corner of the end zone for Janssen Patton. But Chris Gamble had Patton blanketed and the ball fell incomplete.

"There's no medal for trying," BG coach Gregg Brandon said. "It's a loss; it stinks. But there were a lot of positives and we'll try to build on those."

So spooked was coach Jim Tressel by yet another frantic finish he didn't even think to celebrate when Allen wrapped his hands around the last of Harris' 54 passes.

After seeing his team commit three more turnovers Saturday -- giving them eight the last two weeks -- visions of Allen fumbling danced through Tressel's head.

"It was a good play until he didn't take a knee to end the game," he said. "I was nervous that their receiver might chase him down."

Jangled nerves have become commonplace when watching -- or playing for - the Buckeyes.

"People are starting to talk," said tight end Ben Hartsock, who smothered a fourth-quarter onside kick to help stall BG's comeback. "Even coach Tressel was saying we seem to find a way to get in these situations.

"I promise we're not trying. It happens, and we're still getting W's, but it's starting to get old."

On the bright side, replacement quarterback Scott McMullen (10 of 16, 118 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception) did a commendable job of managing the offense and OSU's running game finally showed real signs of life.

Maurice Hall rushed for a career-high 108 yards and Lydell Ross added 94 yards and two touchdowns. The first, a 33-yard burst on fourth-and-one, put the Buckeyes in front 17-7 at halftime. The second, on a four-yard pitch, came in the fourth quarter and seemingly put the game out of reach.

Confident OSU fans began to file out of the stadium. They should have known better.

The Falcons drove 80 yards with the ensuing kickoff, scoring on a 25-yard catch by Cole Magner (13 catches, 168 yards), and added a 33-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham with 1:46 left after recovering an onside kick.

Its lead cut to seven, OSU took over at the BG 42 after another onside attempt, but lost 10 yards in three running plays. That gave the Falcons 42 seconds and one last chance to prolong the game -- and Allen one more chance to abort a comeback.

"Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if we drop to 10th," said guard Adrien Clarke about the way the Buckeyes continue to win yet drop in the polls because of their close calls. "We don't look at the polls. We have to be prepared week by week, so hopefully we can be No. 1 when the season is done."

Originally published Sunday, September 21, 2003