The Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1) clinched at least a share of their fifth consecutive Big Ten title and the conference’s automatic Bowl Championship Series bid.
Iowa (9-2, 5-2), which overcame a 24-10 deficit with just over 11 minutes left, lost its second in a row. Redshirt freshman quarterback James Vandenberg was solid for the Hawkeyes in his first start. But filling in for the injured Ricky Stanzi - who hurt his ankle in last week’s upset loss to Northwestern - Vandenberg was intercepted three times, the final time to end Iowa’s only possession in overtime.
Brandon Saine rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns and Dan Herron added another score for the Buckeyes.
Iowa started overtime with an incompletion. Then freshman Adam Robinson was thrown for a 6-yard loss by Austin Spitler, and Doug Worthington sacked Vandenberg for a 10-yard loss. Out of field goal range on fourth and 26, Vandenberg lofted a long pass into the end zone that was picked off by Anderson Russell.
The Buckeyes handled the ball with extra care - just the way Tressel wanted. Three runs up the middle netted 2 yards. On came Barclay, the Buckeyes’ kicker since taking over after starter Aaron Pettrey injured a knee three games ago.
“We had so much confidence in Devin that we were going backwards to make his kick longer,’’ Tressel cracked.
Still, Tressel admitted, he was on the headphones as Barclay made contact with the ball, telling the offensive coaches in the press box to have a play ready for the next possession in overtime in case Barclay missed.
Instead, his kick split the uprights, touching off a wild scene as thousands rushed the field.
“It’s unbelievable. I’m speechless,’’ said Barclay, a former Major League Soccer player who walked on for the Buckeyes. “The fourth quarter definitely made it interesting. I’m just glad we came out on top - and now we’re going to the Rose Bowl.’’
A cadre of state police surrounded the goal posts, preventing anyone from tearing them down. But that didn’t prevent the frenzied crowd from mobbing the Buckeyes players, snapping pictures, and joining the team in singing the alma mater.
