COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The memory of Oct. 2, 2004, in Evanston, Illinois still annoys many Ohio State fans. That night Ohio State did something they've done once since 1971: lose to Northwestern.
And that night remains a vivid memory, for vastly different reasons, for two lifelong friends and teammates from Upper Arlington.
"Nothing compares to the memories when it's with your best friends that you grew up with your whole life with in high school," Jeff Backes, a member of the 2000 Division I state championship team at Upper Arlington, said. Backes was named Ohio's Mr. Football that season, following lead blocking by All-State lineman Simon Fraser.
"I have a chat thread that we're still talking on a daily basis with," Fraser said.
"It's just a great way for us to stay connected,” Backes said. "We had been talking about that our whole life."
Fraser and Backes grew up together but Fraser did not play football until their freshman year of high school.
"It was really because of Jeff and his family, just really kind of pointing out the fact that I was 6 foot 4 and I was playing soccer at the time," Fraser said.
That decision turned out to be a wise one. Fraser went on to earn an Ohio State scholarship. Backes earned a scholarship to Northwestern.
"We still stayed very, very close,” Fraser said. “We would talk on a regular basis and then we had that fateful night in Chicago.”
That night in 2004 proved to be among the more stunning defeats for an Ohio State team in decades. They entered the game unbeaten but were struggling offensively. Northwestern, coached by former Miami (OH) coach Randy Walker, had recruited 17 Ohio natives to play on that Wildcats team. Backes was among the prized recruits as a defensive back.
Northwestern grabbed a 10-point lead in the 4th quarter, but OSU roared back to tie the game.
"Things just started falling apart and not going our way," Fraser said.
An OSU drive into Northwestern territory was turned away thanks to some quick thinking by Backes. A Justin Zwick pass was intercepted by a diving Backes in the endzone, ending a Buckeye scoring chance.
"Certainly in my career, that's a play that stands out in part just because, again, I'm a Columbus kid,” Backes said. “That's the game everybody from around here watched. I don't know how many Northwestern games people from Columbus watched in my career, but I think a lot of people were watching that night."
In overtime, Northwestern's Noah Herron scored the game-winning touchdown in a wild, 33-27 Wildcats victory.
"If I had to lose in Northwestern, I'm glad it was Jeff that was on the other end... playing the game of his life," Fraser said.
They talked on the phone later that night, and life went on. Backes retired from football due to multiple shoulder surgeries. Fraser went on to a career in the NFL, mostly with the Cleveland Browns. Eventually, both pursued careers in medicine. Backes is now an orthopedic surgeon for Orthopedic One. Fraser is now a vascular surgeon with Ohio Health.
"I think it just speaks volumes to where we are now,” Fraser said. “We've now pursued this career in medicine and are back in town. Our kids are now going through the same youth programs and athletic programs, and we're still very close, and he still reminds me every day what happened up at Northwestern.”
Backes said he's quick to remember he's much smaller than his lifelong friend, but even 20 years later, he remains proud of that night and his alma mater.
"You never want to count the Wildcats out," he said.
