You probably don’t remember a lot of your day-to-day life from 16 years ago.
After all, a lot has changed since then. Kids who were in preschool in 2002 are now in college.
If you were in college then, you’re now in your mid-30s.
But while most of that year is probably a vague, hazy memory, you probably recall a 10-second sequence from the afternoon of November 9, 2002 like it happened yesterday.
The Buckeyes entered that game 10-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation. Purdue was just 4-5.
But with less than two minutes to play, the Boilermakers held a 6-3 lead. OSU was facing 4th-and-1 at the Purdue 37.
The season was on the line.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel dropped back and launched a pass down the left sideline to Michael Jenkins.
He pulled it in, Brent Musberger screamed two words that would become synonymous with the play, and the Buckeyes went on to finish the year 14-0 and national champions.
HOLY BUCKEYE!
It’s been 16 years since Michael Jenkins’ big play at Purdue. We’re guessing you probably still remember where you were when you watched it live. pic.twitter.com/1B2vDwVfyt
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) October 20, 2018
But “Holy Buckeye” wasn’t the only great moment in this century of OSU-Purdue games.
A year later, the No. 4 Buckeyes were still alive in the national title race when No. 11 Purdue came to Columbus in mid-November.
The OSU offense didn’t score a touchdown all day. Mike Kudla’s fumble recovery for a score and a pair of Mike Nugent field goals were all the Buckeyes mustered in regulation.
The game went to overtime tied at 13.
Nugent kicked another field goal to give the Buckeyes a 16-13 lead, then cornerback Dustin Fox made a game-saving play, tipping Ben Jones’ 36-yard field goal try just wide left to allow the Bucks to escape.
The year after “Holy Buckeye” there was another classic finish in the series. @DustinFox37 got a hand on Purdue field goal attempt in overtime. It was just enough to send it wide left to seal a 16-13 win for Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/0useoZB5ye
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) October 20, 2018
Just like a decade before, the 2012 Buckeyes also had a perfect season on the line when they faced Purdue.
The Boilermakers held a 22-14 lead in the final minute. Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton hit Chris Fields for a touchdown with just three seconds left in the game, then found Jeff Heuerman on a throw-back pass for the tying two-point conversion.
OSU won it 29-22 in overtime.
Another classic matchup from the OSU/Purdue series happened in 2012.
Kenny Guiton came off the bench to replace injured Braxton Miller and led a 29-22 overtime comeback win. pic.twitter.com/kfxAwhgYQg
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) October 20, 2018
The 2013 game was a blowout from beginning to end, but featured the first real chance many Buckeye fans got to see future star Ezekiel Elliott.
The 2013 Purdue game was memorable as one of most Buckeye fans’ first glimpses of Ezekiel Elliott. He had a huge hit on kickoff coverage, and 37 yards rushing in just 5 carries in a 56-0 win. pic.twitter.com/JU5PzWJRHd
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) October 20, 2018