[NU Sports] FORTY DAYS OF FOOTBALL: Day 28

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

We're in the home stretch now, folks ... only one more Saturday before we have kickoff!

FORTY DAYS OF FOOTBALL
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> DAYS 1-10: The top coaches of the decade

10) Glen Mason, Minnesota
09) Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
08) Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
07) Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
06) Randy Walker, Northwestern
05) Lloyd Carr, Michigan
04) Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
03) Joe Tiller, Purdue
02) Joe Paterno, Penn State
01) Jim Tressel, Ohio State

> DAYS 11-20: The top games of the decade

10) 2000: Purdue 32, Michigan 31
09) 2001: Michigan State 26, Michigan 24
08) 2005: Michigan 27, Penn State 25
07) 2003: Minnesota 37, Wisconsin 34
06) 2004: Northwestern 33, Ohio State 27 (OT)
05) 2008: Penn State 13, Ohio State 6
04) 2009: Ohio State 27, Iowa 24 (OT)
03) 2002: Ohio State 10, Purdue 6
02) 2000: Northwestern 54, Michigan 51
01) 2006: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39

> DAYS 21-30: The top players of the decade

10) Laurence Maroney/Marion Barber, Minnesota
09) Antwaan Randle El, Indiana
08) Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin
07) Dallas Clark, Iowa
06) Troy Smith, Ohio State
05) Damien Anderson, Northwestern
04) Braylon Edwards, Michigan

> DAYS 31-40: The top teams of the decade

TOP PLAYERS
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03) Chris Gamble, Ohio State

Chris Gamble is a case where looking at the whole body of his work equals a ranking greater than his individual parts. Was he the best defensive back of the last decade? Probably not. Best receiver? Not even the best from Ohio State (that guy caught a game-winning Super Bowl touchdown a couple years back). Best returner? Not by a long shot.

But you put all three parts together - offense, defense and special teams - along with the fact that his efforts were central to Ohio State's championship run, and you have a player every bit deserving of a No. 3 ranking among players of the decade.

Gamble's breakthrough season was his sophomore year as part of the 2002 national title team. He started both ways in five of the games and was named to the first team All Big Ten defensive squad after finishing third in the league in interceptions. His gamebreaking abilities made his services in demand as a corner, receiver and returner. He had game-saving interceptions against Cincinnati, Wisconsin and Purdue late in the game to seal narrow Ohio State victories.

The play of the year for Gamble, however, came in the rivalry slugfest with Penn State at the Horseshoe. Earlier in the game, he prevented a touchdown on offense after a Buckeye turnover to keep the score 7-3 Penn State, but the Buckeyes still hadn't scored a touchdown in the second half when Gamble intercepted a PSU pass and returned it for what turned out to be the winning score in a 13-7 OSU victory. Gamble also was a factor in the title game, most notably drawing the interference call to extend the game in overtime (and make up for some earlier missed calls against OSU, Miami fans, so pipe down on the groaning!).

Gamble's junior season wasn't as successful statistically, but he still performed well and was drafted in the first round by Carolina, where he has become a defensive leader on the Panthers. There have been players with more impressive stats these past 10 years, but few did as much for his team as Chris Gamble.

Coming Monday: Better than your grandma-ma

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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