Including performances in games and in practice, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel thought he had seen everything talented freshman punt returner Ted Ginn Jr. had to offer.

Then came Ginn’s 82-yard dip-dodge-and-sprint to a third-quarter touchdown yesterday that sealed Ohio State’s 37-21 win over Michigan. "That one, I don’t know where that — I mean, I was shocked," Tressel said. "He just came out of nowhere."

It was Ginn’s fourth punt return for a touchdown this season, a Big Ten record and the most in a career for a Buckeye. It tied the national season record shared by Brigham Young’s Golden Richards (1971) and Kansas State’s David Allen (1998).

But it would have been special regardless. For one thing, it came in the 101 st version of The Game. For another, not only did it look like he didn’t have a chance, for a second it appeared he might not even catch the ball.

"I didn’t even know he caught the ball," said Santonio Holmes, who was beside Ginn. "I thought he fumbled it."

Then after the catch, "I got the first block and he almost ran into me," Holmes said. "Then I looked back again and he was running down the sideline."

It happened that quickly. Ginn cut up inside Michigan coverage man Braylon Edwards and ran into Holmes, then cut out to his left and up the sideline, sprinting past Michigan punter Adam Finley without a care.

"Once you see the touchdown, there’s no point in making a move," Ginn said. "You just use your speed and get to the end zone."

In his world of world-class speedsters, that’s a common thought.

"I think he’s calm. He’s the type of player ready to make a play at any given time in a game," Holmes said. "You’ve just got to keep an eye on him (if you’re the opponent) because he is going to spark up the crowd."

He can do the same for his teammate and coaches, almost in an instant.

tmay@dispatch.com