Bellisari, a
special teams player and a
defensive back his first year, replaced
Joe Germaine as the Ohio State
starting quarterback in 1999. He had a stellar
prep career at
Boca Raton High School In contrast to the accurate Germaine, Bellisari was a more athletic, yet at times erratic thrower. Notably, however, Bellisari's interception rate was 3.82%, lower than more highly recognized Ohio State quarterbacks
Art Schlichter,
Mike Tomczak,
Greg Frey, and
Bobby Hoying. Bellisari experienced an increasingly controversial tenure as Ohio State's starting quarterback, culminating in a one-game suspension towards the end of his senior season following an
arrest for
drunk driving. He was re-instated before the Michigan game, but did not start. Bellisari traveled with the team to the
2002 Outback Bowl against
South Carolina, where he finished his career as a substitute, leading Ohio State back from a large deficit to tie the game before giving up an interception that allowed South Carolina to kick a winning field goal. ==Professional career==