penguinpower, I too was at that game in Richmond. Odd stadium. I remember no heat in restrooms. Day started off sunny, then it rained the entire game. Richmond now has a very nice on campus stadium.
Ryan did thrown an INT that was returned for the game winning TD. He audibled and receiver did not pick up the play change. Pass hit the Richmond DB right in the numbers, and he ran it in for a TD. Was surprised Tress did not just play for OT. Liked that YSU came out throwing, just was surprised, as it was un Tressel like. YSU got the ball back, but was not able to score. Was a weird game if you remember. Both teams were playing classic "Tressel Ball". And, unfortunately for YSU, that was an instance where the opponent out Tressel Balled YSU.
1AA Fan, I just wanted to clear things up for you. You had the teams right, just got the seasons intertwined. Easy to do when it was 15 and 17 years ago. You are right about FAMU. They could pass, and had a big running back YSU could not stop. Which is why it made no sense to throw the ball on the YSU 2 or 3 yard line. YSU had alot of close games that season. As for NC game, just ran into a buzzsaw. That is the best FCS team I ever saw in person. Also, if you remember, GSU only attempted 1 pass. It was in the 2nd qtr on a 3rd down and long, and was completed. Game was back and forth for awhile, then Ga Southern stepped on the gas. Still remember the punt return for a TD where the GSU player was never touched. Then the run by Adrian Peterson, in which he broke several tackles, and stiff armed Dwyte Smiley. He threw Smiley off like a rag doll, and Dwyte was an All American.
YSU was not expected to get to the NC game that year. Playoffs yes, but not another run at an NC. When at the game, I could not believe I was watching my Alma Mater play in a 6th NC Game in 9 years. That was a great run for YSU from 89-2000, and especially 91-99. Was even better for those of us who remember the D2 days, the early years in FCS, and even the first few seasons with Tressel. I remember Tress talking about winning an NC at YSU. He put up a rope in the locker room, and at the top had the team which had won the NC Title. Said one day YSU would be at the top of the rope. I thought he was insane. Then the win at GSU in 91, when he had the bus stop by the river in Statesboro to collect some river water, bring it back to Ytown and mix it with water from Mahoning River. Reason was to then dump the water in river when YSU returned for Title game. Again, I thought he was nuts. Heck, at that point in the season, was not even sure YSU would make the playoffs.
