No matter what 2002 would bring, it promised to be a historic season for Ohio State. The school's first 13-game regular season was scheduled, and starting that first contest at tailback was a true freshman, the first time a Buckeye had done so since 1943. That August 24th game with Texas Tech was also the earliest played in OSU history.

Maurice Clarett was that true freshman tailback, and he excited the Ohio Stadium partisans with a 175 yard, three touchdown performance in the season opener against the Red Raiders. The Buckeyes built a 38-7 lead before completing a 45-21 win.