By: Jon Spencer (StatemanJournal.com) –
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was easy to picture roses wilting and dreams dying as former Ohio State All-American guard Jim Lachey talked about his final football game as a Buckeye.

“You go back in your mind and think, ‘Boy, if we could have taken care of business one more time’ … (and) not doing it on the field,” said Lachey, reflecting on a 20-17 loss to underdog USC in the 1985 Rose Bowl, his only trip to Pasadena.

“Taking off that jersey the last time was emotional, knowing that you weren’t a winner.

“If you want to be happy after the Buy Xenical cheap game, take care of business and get that win.”

Lachey did everything but gift-wrap that message to the current Buckeyes, all of whom are playing in their first Rose Bowl and hoping to end OSU’s three-game bowl slide in their Jan. 1 showdown with Oregon.

Senior offensive tackle Jim Cordle is happy already.

Cordle finished work toward a degree in marketing earlier this month, got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend at the team banquet and headed west with a senior class that is one win away from standing alone as having the most wins in school history.

A loss to the Ducks would severely cramp his style.

“It would be great just to go out on top and take the pads off for the last time as a Buckeye in a good mood,” Cordle said. “The Fiesta Bowl (at the end of the 2005 season) when we won was such a great feeling.

“You could see the smiles on the seniors’ faces. The last three times, the locker room, obviously, has been completely dead and sad and depressed.”

Cordle, one of 13 fifth-year seniors, has never lost to Michigan, has played in two BCS title games, helped forge a 43-8 record and has been part of five BCS bowl games.

But he’s yet to win in January as an active participant, which leaves his career incomplete.

“Just to go out on top and be in a good mood, that’s something you can carry with you the rest of your life,” Cordle said.

“And to set the young guys up that have played so well for us this year, to set them up for next year for a big season and a high ranking, that would be great as well.”…….

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