It was still a loss. Yet for some reason this one seemed easier to swallow for Ohio State’s players and fans.

“That’s the problem in tight ballgames like this,“ Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “Two outstanding teams, sometimes you finish it (and) the game ends when you are the one ahead, and sometimes the game ends when you’re not.“

An early lead, missed opportunities, a heartbreaking finish.

Ohio State overcame an 11 point second half deficit to pull ahead of No. 3 Texas, but the Longhorns pulled off a dramatic last-second touchdown drive to send the Bucks to their third straight bowl defeat, 24-21.

It’s all Buckeyes: OSU President Gordon Gee, Archie Griffin, Jim Tressel and James Laurinaitis talk about tonight’s bowl game.

Now it’s time to play power football, Ohio State style. The No. 3 Longhorns (11-1) meet the 10th-ranked Buckeyes (10-2) on Monday in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are carrying the Big Ten’s banner - what’s left of it.

Freshman Terrelle Pryor is the starting quarterback for Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yet he isn’t talking, at least for now.

Mack Brown and Jim Tressel struck up a conversation on the Ohio Stadium field as Texas and Ohio State warmed up before their first-ever meeting in 2005.

The Texas Longhorns came to the desert determined not to let disappointment ruin a good season.

The Fiesta Bowl isn’t a tourist draw this year.

Tune in Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for an NBC 4 exclusive 15-minute special on the Fiesta Bowl and Buckeye football players.

He flashed that familiar wide smile, stroked his smallish beard and said confidently, “I’m not sure.“

That’s the message several Buckeye seniors gave Wednesday morning during interviews before Monday’s Fiesta Bowl. 

Colt McCoy was sitting at a banquet when he felt a breeze on the back of his neck. James Laurinaitis was sitting behind him, blowing on his neck and whispering.