Buckeye-wannabe strikes back.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

TAMPA, Fla. _ After it was over, after South Carolina's slow victory lap around Raymond James Stadium and Ohio State's even slower walk to the locker room, Buckeyes coach John Cooper was asked for the turning point of South Carolina's 24-7 victory Monday in the Outback Bowl.

Cooper had some ideas. The Buckeyes' fumble in the third quarter that led to one USC touchdown. The penalty that led to another. A badly thrown deep pass in the first quarter. Good candidates, all.

But the real turning point probably came much earlier. It probably came two years ago, when the Buckeyes broke the heart of the best football player in Ohio.

His name was Ryan Brewer, and if you watched the Outback Bowl, you know that name now. Brewer, Ohio's Mr. Football in 1998 who went to South Carolina (8-4) after Ohio State decided not to offer him a scholarship, scored all three USC touchdowns and nearly outgained the No.18 Buckeyes (8-4) by himself to earn most valuable player honors.

And a little bit of redemption.

"I always thought I could play for Ohio State," Brewer said. "I think I proved that today."

Brewer ran for 7,656 yards, including 2,864 as a senior, at Troy High _ about 70 miles from Ohio State's campus in Columbus. But the Buckeyes thought Brewer was too small (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) and too slow (about a 4.7-second 40-yard time).