Kirk Herbstreit wishes he would have played better in Ohio State’s ’93 Citrus Bowl vs Georgia
Will Muschamp remembers one of his first impressions of Kirk Herbstreit.
The Georgia co-defensive coordinator was on the Bulldogs’ roster as a defensive back from 1991-94. But before Georgia’s meeting with Ohio State in the 1993 Citrus Bowl, Muschamp had already seen all he needed to see from the Buckeyes’ quarterback.
“We had a … luncheon, and (when) Herbstreit got up and threw a pass across the room, I knew we had a shot to win,” Muschamp said. “Make sure he knows I said that.”
Herbstreit can recall the exact moment.
“It was one of those autograph balls, those white panel balls,” he said. “I remember throwing it and not being real happy with how far I had to throw it because I couldn’t grip the ball. So I kind of shot-putted the ball. That’s all I remember.”
Follow every game: Latest NCAA College Football Scores and Schedules
Herbstreit also remembers the Georgia squad that triumphed 21-14 against Ohio State in that Citrus Bowl. The Bulldogs were “very good and athletic.”
Ohio State’s only quarterback to have ever faced Georgia, Herbstreit will be ESPN’s color commentator for the Buckeyes’ second-ever matchup with the Bulldogs when the teams collide in Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal.
“I wish I would have played better,” Herbstreit said of the teams’ initial meeting.
Against the Bulldogs’ defense, Herbstreit completed eight of his 24 pass attempts for 110 yards, completing a 45-yard pass to running back Robert Smith. He did not throw a touchdown against Georgia, but threw one interception and was sacked three times, including twice by linebacker Mitch Davis, whom Herbstreit said was “chasing him around” all day.
Can Ohio State hang with Georgia in Peach Bowl semifinal after second chance?
POSTSEASON LINEUP:College football bowl game scores and schedules
Facing Georgia provides Ohio State the chance to quiet doubters after recent failures
But what Herbstreit remembers more than the performances of players like Eric Zeier, Andre Hastings or Garrison Hearst is the weight the matchup between Ohio State and Georgia carried.
“Back in those days, the Citrus Bowl was kind of like a New Year’s Six kind of game,” Herbstreit said. “It was two highly ranked teams and teams that just came up a little bit short of their goals in the Big Ten of getting to the Rose Bowl and the SEC of getting to the Sugar Bowl.