A former national champion will kick off Ohio State’s season with the Victory Bell.
Former Buckeye running back Maurice Clarett was named Ohio State’s Victory Bell Ringer ahead of the Buckeyes’ season opener against Ball State at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, the university announced Tuesday.
In his lone season with the Buckeyes, Clarett took 222 carries for 1,237 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, adding 12 receptions for 104 yards and two receiving scores. His efforts earned him First-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, while Ohio State claimed the 2002 national title under former head coach Jim Tressel.
Clarett scored two of his 18 touchdowns during Ohio State’s 31-24 double overtime victory over Miami (Fla.) in the BCS National Championship.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day highlighted Clarett’s impact on the program, both as a player and in his continued involvement with the Buckeyes.
“Maurice Clarett is an important part of Ohio State football history, and it means a great deal to have him with us inside Ohio Stadium as our first Victory Bell Ringer of the season,” Day said. “What he accomplished for the 2002 national championship team will always be remembered, but the impact he has made around our program in recent years has been just as meaningful. Maurice has been great with our players, sharing his perspective, his experiences and the lessons he has learned. He has a powerful story, and our guys have benefited from the honesty, leadership and care he brings each time he is around the program.”
While Tressel acknowledged that Clarett was a key part of the Buckeyes’ 2002 championship season, he said he is even prouder of the person the running back has become and the positive influence he continues to make on others.
“Maurice played a defining role in one of the most memorable seasons we had, but I’m even more proud of the man he has become and the lives he continues to impact,” Tressel said. “His journey is a powerful example of resilience, growth, and the importance of using our experiences to serve others. It will be a special memory to watch him ring the Victory Bell as we celebrate the legacy of the 2002 national championship team and the lasting bonds we built together.”
Clarett will ring Ohio State’s Victory Bell on the same day Tressel will be inducted into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor.
A season ago, four Buckeye football legends rang the Victory Bell, including running back Archie Griffin and former head coaches Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel and John Cooper.
