131 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
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130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
131 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
To quote authors Marv Homan and Paul Hornung, who co-wrote “Ohio State – 1912
100 Years of Football”: “Ohio State University has experienced an overwhelmingly eventful, The athletic board, growing
tired of the constant turnover,
colorful, often controversial, ever-intriguing and, above all, enormously successful football decides to try a new approach
history.” Much of the information in this section, which peeks at various seasons of Ohio and make the head football
State football between 1900 and 2020, was supplied with permission from the authors of coach also serve as the director
“Ohio State – 100 Years of Football”. of athletics. Weary of choosing
Eastern coaches, the board
hired John Richards, a former
1902 1906 Wisconsin coach, to assume
Coaching hero John Eckstorm Chillicothe native and former both roles. The strategy
shocks the university community, Michigan player Al Herrnstein backfires, as Richards goes 6-3
announcing his resignation as takes over as head coach. and resigns after one season.
head football coach after three Herrnstein, who coached With five minutes remaining in
seasons and a 22-4-3 record. at Purdue in 1905, was the Penn State game and OSU
Perry Hale, a star player at Yale, instrumental in proving a trailing 37-0, Richards took the
takes over as coach. non-Eastern coach could be Buckeyes off the field because of
successful in college football. alleged rough play and PSU was
1904 awarded a 1-0 win. Ohio State
E.R. Sweetland became the 1910 joins the Western Conference,
school’s first year-round football The construction of new which later became the Big Ten,
coach. Expectations were high bleachers increases the capacity but could not compete in the
1890 for the 1904 team, driving the of Ohio Field to 10,000. Football conference in football until 1913.
Football becomes a varsity sport athletic association to purchase season tickets are sold for $2.50.
and Alexander Lilley is the first 1,500 additional bleacher Howard Jones, an All-American 1913
head coach. seats to be installed on the from Yale, is named head coach. Only after Carl Rothgeb of
east side of University Field. Colorado College declined
1899 Unfortunately, the team and the 1911 to accept the position, John
The Buckeyes notch a 9-0-1 expected crowds fell way short On the recommendation of W. Wilce, a former three
record, their first unbeaten of all expectations. Ohio State Howard Jones, the athletic sport star at Wisconsin, was
season. won just six times in 11 tries. board hires Harry Vaughn, also named head football coach
Ticket prices ranged from 25 from Yale, as head football at Ohio State. Wilce went on
1901 cents to a dollar for “deluxe” coach. Vaughn shows little to a storied 16-year career at
Football crowds and support games against Michigan and the interest in coaching and resigns OSU, leading the school to
grow at an alarming rate. Carlisle Indians. after leading Ohio State to a three Big Ten championships.
Columbus newspapers begin 5-3-2 season. The Buckeyes made their
devoting more space to football football debut in the Western
and most importantly, for the first Conference, creating a wave of
time after 12 seasons of football, electric enthusiasm throughout
the sport turned a modest profit Columbus. Ohio Field’s capacity
for the ever-struggling university had been increased to 14,000
athletic association. in anticipation of joining the
conference. Ohio State collected
its first league win Nov. 13 with a
58-0 trouncing of Northwestern.
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130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
1914
Ohio State produced its first
All-American, end Boyd Cherry,
and went 5-2. Interest in football
at the school continued to
skyrocket.
1915
Varsity manager William A.
Dougherty wrote the fight song
“Across the Field.” The song was
dedicated to Coach John Wilce
and was first performed at the
Illinois game (Oct. 16, 1915).
1916
BIG TEN CHAMPION 1919 1921 to enter the private practice
Ohio State went a perfect 7-0 Ohio State defeated Michigan for The fact Ohio State went 5-2 and of medicine. After capturing
and captured its first Western the first time, 13-3, and outscored collected its third-consecutive three Western Conference
Conference title – sort of. its opponents 176-12 for the year win over Michigan was dwarfed championships and producing 14
For a reason still unknown, on its way to a 6-1 season. A by the construction occurring just All-Americans, Wilce left football
the conference did not loss to Illinois in the final regular a few blocks from Ohio Field in and did postgraduate research
officially recognize football season game represented the 1921. On Aug. 3, Ohio Governor at Harvard and Columbia before
championships in those days. first loss of the Chic Harley era Harry Davis joined a crowd of becoming the Director of the
Highlights of the championship (21-1-1). The admittance of Ohio over 2,500 to officially break Ohio State University Student
season included a school record State to the Western Conference, ground on the new stadium. The Health Services in 1934.
128-0 win over Oberlin, the first the dramatic success of the massive project was scheduled
win over Wisconsin (14-13), and a football team under Coach Wilce to take only 14 months and 1929
season-ending 23-3 victory over and the dazzling play of Harley originally was to be completed Sam Willaman, an assistant on
Northwestern that decided the magnified the inadequacy of at a cost of $1,341,017. After Wilce’s staff and a 1913 Ohio
conference championship. Chic Ohio Field. speculation the new stadium State graduate, was named the
Harley earned the first of what would seat about 35,000, it was 13th head coach in the history of
would become three All-America 1920 officially announced it would Ohio State football. He led the
awards. He was OSU’s first BIG TEN CHAMPION actually seat over 60,000, a team to a 4-3-1 finish in his first
three-time All-American and one A landmark year for Ohio State figure that drew harsh criticism season.
of only eight in school history. football. Professor Thomas E. from many. Upon completion,
French, a member of the athletic the final cost of the stadium 1930
board, and Director of Athletics exceeded $1,500,000. More than Wes Fesler becomes only the
1917
Lynn Wilbur St. John decided it $1,000,000 of that cost had been second three-time All-American
BIG TEN CHAMPION
was time to take advantage of pledged by proud and dedicated in Ohio State history, captaining
A powerful Ohio State team
the soaring interest in Ohio State Ohio State football fans. the Buckeyes and leading them
finished 8-0-1, capturing its
second-consecutive Western football. An extensive stadium to a 5-2-1 record. He also is
Conference championship. campaign was launched in 1922 the first recorded winner of the
Strangely enough, two the fall, with hopes of building Those that cited concerns team’s Most Valuable Player
postseason games were a new football facility. The of Ohio Stadium being too Award. Fesler, one of the
played that year. Ohio State campaign opened Oct. 18, large looked on in awe as the school’s top all-time all-around
tied Auburn, 0-0, in a game 1920, with a goal of reaching stadium was dedicated prior athletes, earned nine total varsity
played in Montgomery, Ala., to $600,000, a figure considered to the Michigan game Oct. 21. letters – three each in football,
benefit the Ohio National Guard unrealistic by many. By Nov. 26, Temporary stands were erected basketball and baseball.
training in the South. Another 1920, over $923,000 had been in the south end of the stadium,
game was played the next pledged. With the campaign in and a crowd of 72,500 was 1933
weekend, as Ohio State rolled full force, coach Wilce’s team estimated. The dedication game Fueled by an incredible defense,
over Camp Sherman, a team kept interest levels high by against the Wolverines was Ohio State finished 7-1, dropping
from Chillicothe. Chic Harley finishing the regular season 7-0 actually the third game played only a 14-0 decision to Michigan.
earned All-America honors for and capturing the school’s third in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State The Buckeyes allowed only 26
the second consecutive season, Western Conference title. The christened its new home with points the entire season, while
and more importantly, became undefeated season drove Ohio a 5-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan scoring 161.
the talk of the Midwest. Fans State football into the national in front of 25,000 people. OSU
turned out in record numbers to spotlight and caught the eye won the first two games in Ohio 1934
see Harley. The legendary Walter of the Tournament of Roses Stadium, but finished the season Francis Schmidt is named the
Camp, who selected the only Association in Pasadena, Calif. with a disappointing 3-4 mark. head football coach, ushering
official college All-America team At the conclusion of the regular in not only a new era but also
in those days, visited Columbus season, Ohio State received an 1928 a new style of football. With
to watch Harley play. invitation to play in the Rose L.W. St. John announces all an offensive scheme dubbed
Bowl against California Jan. 1, stadium debt has been paid, “razzle-dazzle” by the press
1921. After heated discussions a remarkable achievement
1918 and featuring double and triple
between members of the athletic considering the facility had been reverses, laterals, and passes,
Most of the players off the
board and St. John, the football standing for only eight short Schmidt’s inaugural team scored
1917 team were serving in the
team was granted permission to years. Coach Wilce announces 267 points – the second most
military as the United States
play in the game. his resignation, to take effect
was involved in World War I in
Europe. in June, 1929, citing the desire
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130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
in OSU history at that point. 1939 1943 three plays after time had
Schmidt’s off-the-field antics BIG TEN CHAMPION With a game apparently ending expired because of Northwestern
were just as colorful as his Ohio State won its first outright in a 26-all tie, Ohio State and penalties and came away with a
on-field plays, making him an Big Ten title in 19 years. It is Illinois left the field. But the 7-6 victory in Ohio Stadium.
instant hit with the community. the only outright title for Ohio teams were called back 20
After accepting the coaching State in a season when it lost to minutes later when it was 1949
position, he was asked how Michigan. discovered the Illini were called BIG TEN CHAMPION
he expected to cope with the for a penalty on the Buckeyes’ Ohio State captures a share of
OSU nemesis from Ann Arbor. final play. With little of the crowd the Big Ten championship and
1941
Dressed in his inevitable bow remaining, John Stungis kicked collects its first Rose Bowl win,
After a dominant high school
tie, his matter-of-fact answer a 27-yard field goal – the first of beating California, 17-14.
coaching career in Massillon,
developed into a cliché: “They his career – for a 29-26 OSU win.
Ohio, Paul Brown was named
put their pants on one leg at a Coach Paul Brown, a Lieutenent 1950
Ohio State’s 15th head coach. An
time same as everybody else.” Junior-Grade, left Ohio State for Vic Janowicz puts on arguably
incredibly organized, meticulous
Schmidt’s comment leads to the the Great Lakes Naval Training the greatest individual display in
man, Brown led Ohio State to a
formation of the “Gold Pants Station in April of 1944. college football history against
6-1-1 mark in his debut season.
Club,” which awarded miniature He also earned OSU’s first West Iowa. He sent two kickoffs out
gold football pants to all players Coast win, a 33-0 trouncing 1944 of the endzone for touchbacks,
who had a hand in a victory over at Southern California in only BIG TEN CHAMPION recovered two fumbles on
the Wolverines. The tradition of Brown’s second collegiate game. Carroll Widdoes, an assistant of defense, scored on an 11-yard
an annual Captain’s Breakfast, The season ended with a 20-all Paul Brown’s at Massillon and touchdown run, returned a punt
where all former grid captains tie at Michigan. Ohio State, was named acting 61 yards for a touchdown, threw
are invited to a breakfast and head coach. In his first season, a 12-yard scoring strike, and
welcome the current team the Buckeyes finish 9-0 and kicked three extra points – all
1942
captains, also began. claim the Big Ten championship, in the first five minutes of the
NATIONAL CHAMPION
but finish No. 2 in the Associated game. The famous “Snow Bowl”
BIG TEN CHAMPION
1935 Press poll, behind Army. OSU game with Michigan was played
Though World War II loomed
BIG TEN CHAMPION fans claim an unofficial “civilian in late November. Somehow,
over the nation, Ohio State
Ohio State collected its second- national championship.” Les between the swirling winds
football fans reveled in one of the
consecutive 7-1 season under Horvath became the school’s and zero visibility, Janowicz
most glorious seasons ever. The
Schmidt, claiming the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner. boots a 27-yard field goal in
Buckeyes captured the school’s
first Big Ten title in 14 years. Ohio State received an invitation what would later be called
first national championship as
The Buckeyes capped the year to the Rose Bowl, but faculty one of the “Greatest Feats in
well as a Big Ten title, finishing
with a 38-0 season-ending win representatives from around the American Sports” by a panel
the year 9-1 and ranked No. 1
over Michigan. That season Big Ten disallow the trip. of sportswriters. To no one’s
in the Associated Press poll.
finale launched the now famous Led by a star-studded backfield surprise, Janowicz wins the
season-ending rivalry. Since that included Les Horvath, Paul 1946 Heisman Trophy. On Dec.
then, Ohio State has ended its Sarringhaus and Gene Fekete, In one of the program’s more 9, Fesler submits a lengthy
regular-season schedule with OSU rolled to 337 points, a unique coaching moves, resignation statement.
a battle against the Wolverines record that stood until 1969. offensive coordinator Paul Bixler
every year but one. Also in 1935, The only loss of the season, a and head coach Carroll Widdoes 1951
Ohio State and Notre Dame play 17-7 decision at Wisconsin, even switched roles prior to the After a highly-scrutinized
what was hailed as the “greatest had an asterisk. Several key season. Following the season, selection process, Wayne
college game ever played,” for players and coaches caught a Bixler turns in his resignation. Woodrow “Woody” Hayes
many years after. The Buckeyes debilitating virus from a drinking begins his 28-year tenure as
held a 13-0 lead entering the fountain on the train from 1947 head coach. A tireless worker,
fourth quarter, but Notre Dame Chicago to Madison. In the same meeting Bixler meticulous planner, and a
scored three times in the final announces his intentions to Lieutenent Commander in
stanza – twice in the last two resign, L. W. St. John proposes to the Navy, Hayes led his initial
minutes – for an 18-13 win. the athletic board that Wes Fesler Buckeye team, which struggled
be the next head coach at Ohio to adjust to his T-formation style,
1936 State. The board concurs, and to a 4-3-2 finish. Many thought
The Ohio State Marching Band Fesler, a three-time All-American Hayes’ days at Ohio State were
performed “Script Ohio” for the at Ohio State in the 1930s, numbered. They were wrong.
first time at the Pittsburgh game becomes the program’s fifth head
(Oct. 10, 1936). OSU dropped its coach in eight years. In one of
Big Ten opener to Northwestern, the stranger games during the
14-13, but steamrolled through its 1900s, Ohio State was afforded
remaining conference schedule
with four shutouts in four games.
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130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
1957 1969
NATIONAL CHAMPION BIG TEN CHAMPION
BIG TEN CHAMPION A squad Coach Hayes called “the
After dropping the season best team we ever put together,
opener, the Buckeyes win probably the best team that ever
nine consecutive games to played college football,” rolled
capture the school’s third easily to a 9-0 record, but a
national championship and season-ending loss to Michigan
second under Hayes. OSU ended OSU’s 22-game unbeaten
knocked off Oregon 10-7 in streak and bid for a second
the Rose Bowl for its third consecutive national title.
consecutive win in Pasadena.
1970
1961 NATIONAL CHAMPION
NATIONAL CHAMPION BIG TEN CHAMPION
BIG TEN CHAMPION Jim Stillwagon wins both the
Ohio State finishes 8-0-1, defeats Outland and the first Lombardi
Michigan, 50-20, wins the Big Award. Ohio State rolls to nine
1954 consecutive wins – including
NATIONAL CHAMPION Ten and is named national 1974
champions by the Football a 20-9 triumph over Michigan BIG TEN CHAMPION
BIG TEN CHAMPION that has been called one of the
Ohio State claims its second Writers. A bitter dispute among On June 5, Coach Hayes suffers
the school’s faculty council most emotional games in Ohio a heart attack, but pledges to
national championship with a Stadium history – before falling
perfect 10-0 season, beating erupted when a Rose Bowl return by OSU’s opener Sept.
invitation arrived. By a narrow to Stanford in the Rose Bowl. 14. The fiery coach, who by this
Southern Cal, 20-7, in a rainy, Ohio State still was awarded a
mud-soaked Rose Bowl game. margin, the council voted not to point had become larger-than-
accept the invitation and skip national championship by the life in Columbus, did return and
The rift between West Coast National Football Foundation.
writers and Hayes is born when the bowl game. A livid Hayes led OSU to its third consecutive
claimed for years the decision A senior class featuring six Big Ten championship and yet
the OSU coach criticizes the All-Americans and nine all-Big
Tournament of Roses Association hampered his recruiting efforts. another Rose Bowl. Archie
Ten selections leaves OSU with a Griffin won the Heisman Trophy,
for not covering the field before three-year mark of 27-2.
the game and allowing the bands 1963 becoming the fifth non-senior to
to perform at halftime. Ohio State defeated Michigan win the award.
in Ann Arbor, 14-10, marking the 1972
fourth consecutive Buckeye win BIG TEN CHAMPION 1975
1955 Freshmen are cleared to play
BIG TEN CHAMPION over the Wolverines. The game BIG TEN CHAMPION
was delayed a week as the nation for the first time, signaling the Hayes gives West Coast
Ohio State uses a 17-0 start of the Archie Griffin era.
blanking of Michigan to claim mourned the death of President reporters a now famous quote
John F. Kennedy. The attendance Against the better judgment of about Archie Griffin: “He’s a
its second-consecutive Big Coach Hayes but after strong
Ten championship. Howard of 36,424 was the smallest at better young man than he is
Michigan Stadium in 20 years. urging from backfield coach a football player, and he’s the
“Hopalong” Cassady becomes Rudy Hubbard, Griffin comes off
Ohio State’s third Heisman best football player I’ve ever
the bench against North Carolina seen.” Griffin becomes the first
Trophy winner. During the and rushes for a then-Ohio State
season, Hayes voices his (and 41 years later still only)
record 239 yards in only his two-time winner of the Heisman
displeasure over the fact several second collegiate appearance.
other football conferences had Trophy, leading the Buckeyes to
OSU uses two goal-line stands their conference-record fourth
started awarding scholarships – one in each half – to beat
to student-athletes, but the Big consecutive Rose Bowl. He also
Michigan, 14-11, and claim a becomes the NCAA’s all-time
Ten had failed to follow suit. share of the Big Ten title and a
After a series of meetings and leading rusher in a midseason
trip to the Rose Bowl. game against Purdue.
heated debates, the conference
adopts a complicated grant-in-
aid program based on financial
1973 1976
1968 BIG TEN CHAMPION BIG TEN CHAMPION
need, marking the first form of
NATIONAL CHAMPION Ohio State goes unbeaten, Just one year after the Big
athletics scholarship available at
BIG TEN CHAMPION finishing 10-0-1 including a Ten changes the rule to
Ohio State.
Arguably the finest Ohio 42-21 trouncing of USC in the allow more than just the
State team in history uses a Rose Bowl. OSU becomes the conference champion to attend
1956 first school to own three of
Ohio State sets a Big Ten record dominating 50-14 win over a bowl game, the Buckeyes
Michigan and a 27-16 come-from- the Top 5 vote-getters in the notch a share of the Big
with 17 consecutive victories, Heisman Trophy balloting. With
breaking Michigan’s previous behind victory over Southern Ten championship and beat
California in the Rose Bowl to five Big Ten titles, two national Colorado, 27-10, in the Orange
mark of 15. Offensive guard Jim championships, and four Rose
Parker became the first OSU earn the school’s fifth national Bowl.
championship. Before the final Bowl trips all in a six-year span,
player to win the Outland Trophy. Ohio State football popularity
polls crowning the Buckeyes 1977
champions are released, Coach hits an all-time high. Columbus
BIG TEN CHAMPION
Hayes departs for Vietnam for becomes known as the “Capital
Ohio State won a Big Ten
a volunteer trip to talk football of College Football.”
Conference championship for
with U.S. servicemen. Later, the a record sixth consecutive year
Sporting News called this team and for the 13th, and final time,
one of the 10 greatest college under coach Woody Hayes.
football teams of all-time.
71
130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
1978 1986 1993 1998
A win over Baylor gave Coach BIG TEN CHAMPION BIG TEN CHAMPION BIG TEN CHAMPION
Hayes his 200th win as an Ohio Ohio State loses its first two OSU records its best record since Ohio State notched its fourth-
State coach. He would coach games of the season for the first 1979 by going 10-1-1, capturing consecutive 10-win season. The
his last game three months time since 1894, but wins nine a share of the Big Ten title and Buckeyes spend 10 weeks as
later against Clemson in the consecutive games to earn a winning the Holiday Bowl. the No. 1 team in the Associated
Gator Bowl, ending a 28-year share of the Big Ten title. Press Poll and cap the season
Ohio State career with a record 1994 with a 24-14 win over Texas A&M
of 205-61-10 with five national The Buckeyes defeat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. Joe Germaine
championships and 13 Big Ten 22-6, ending a six-game winless wins the Chicago Tribune’s
crowns. streak against the Wolverines. Silver Football Award as the Big
Ten’s Most Valuable Player, and
1979 the Buckeyes go a perfect 5-0
BIG TEN CHAMPION against teams ranked in the Top
Former Ohio State player and 25. Antoine Winfield wins the
assistant coach Earle Bruce Thorpe Award.
is named head coach. The
Buckeyes finish the regular 1999
season 11-0 and come within a Athletics Director Andy Geiger
point of a national championship, announces the retirement of
falling 17-16 to Southern Archie Griffin’s No. 45 at the
California in the Rose Bowl. Sept. 30 Iowa game. It is the first
Bruce is named the Big Ten and 1987 number retired in any sport in
national coach of the year in his College football fans everywhere Ohio State history.
first season. mourn the death of Woody
Hayes on March 12. President 2000
1981 Richard Nixon, joined by a crowd The jersey numbers of former
BIG TEN CHAMPION of over 10,000, speaks at Hayes’ 1995 Heisman Trophy winners Vic
The Buckeyes capture their memorial service. That fall, Ohio State dominated college Janowicz (31) and Howard
second Big Ten championship linebacker Chris Spielman wins football’s individual awards. “Hopalong” Cassady (40) are
in three years under Bruce and the Lombardi Award and the Eddie George becomes OSU’s retired at home games against
top Navy in the Liberty Bowl. Art season - and nine-year coaching sixth Heisman Trophy winner. Penn State and Michigan,
Schlichter completed 31 of 52 run for Earle Bruce - ends with a Orlando Pace becomes the first respectively. Following the 8-4
passes for 458 yards – all OSU thrilling 23-20 win at Michigan. sophomore to win the Lombardi season that included season-
records – against the Florida Award, and Terry Glenn wins the ending losses to Michigan and
State Seminoles. 1988 Biletnikoff Award. The Buckeyes South Carolina in the Outback
John Cooper, then head coach tie a school record with 11 wins Bowl, former OSU assistant Jim
1984 at Arizona State, is named the and play in the Citrus Bowl. Tressel is named to replace John
BIG TEN CHAMPION school’s 21st head football OSU sets a school record with Cooper as head coach of the
After a five-year absence, Ohio coach after an intense search 475 points scored. A then Ohio Buckeyes.
State returns to the Rose Bowl conducted by new Director of Stadium record crowd of 95,537
with an undisputed Big Ten Athletics Jim Jones. is on hand for Ohio State’s 45-26 2001
championship. Chris Spielman win over Notre Dame. Jim Tressel becomes the
makes his debut a memorable 1989 Buckeyes’ 22nd head football
one in the season opener Ohio State celebrates its 100th coach. The jerseys of Les
against Oregon State, making season of intercollegiate football. Horvath (22) and Eddie George
10 tackles in the second half The Buckeyes overcome a 31-0 (27), Ohio State’s first and most
after coming off the bench. deficit to win 41-37 at Minnesota, recent Heisman Trophy winners,
Keith Byars rushes for a then equaling the largest comeback respectively, are retired. The
school-record 274 yards and in NCAA history. OSU competes Buckeyes defeat Michigan in Ann
scored five touchdowns in a in the Hall of Fame Bowl, its Arbor, their first win there since
45-38 win over Illinois. Byars’ 10th different postseason bowl 1987. The three-year, $194 million
memorable day also included a appearance. stadium renovation is completed.
67-yard touchdown run where he
lost one shoe 35 yards from the 1990
goal line. Natural grass returns to Ohio
Stadium. Robert Smith gains 1,126
1985 yards to break Archie Griffin’s
The first night game in Ohio OSU freshman rushing record.
Stadium history – thanks to 1996
portable light standards – 1991 BIG TEN CHAMPION
ends in a 10-7 Ohio State win Thanks to 5,000 new bleacher The Buckeyes win their 27th
over Pittsburgh. Flanker Mike seats, home total (654,500), Big Ten title and defeat Arizona
Lanese becomes the first OSU average home (90,500) and State in the Rose Bowl, winding
football player to win a Rhodes single game (95,357 vs. Iowa) up No. 2 in both national polls.
Scholarship. A preseason foot attendance records fall. Orlando Pace repeats as the
injury to Heisman Trophy favorite Lombardi Award winner and
Keith Byars dampens Ohio wins the Outland Trophy. It marks
State’s hopes for a championship the fourth consecutive season
season. Ohio State has finished among
the nation’s Top 10 in one of the
major polls.
72 2021 Ohio State Football
130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
squad posted rare back-to-back Willis, the pioneering 1940s All-
wins over Michigan and Notre American, had his No. 99 jersey
Dame, the latter in the Fiesta retired.
Bowl for the Buckeyes’ fourth
consecutive bowl victory and 2008
third BCS triumph in four years. BIG TEN CHAMPION
Quarterback Troy Smith was the Ohio State posted a fifth straight
MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, where win over Michigan (42-7) for the
he accounted for 408 yards in first time in the storied rivalry.
total offense. The Buckeyes also won a share
of their fourth straight Big Ten
title and played in their fourth
consecutive BCS bowl, losing
24-21 to Texas in the Tostitos 2013
Fiesta Bowl. The 2013 Buckeyes extended
the 12-game winning streak
from 2012 to a school-record
2002 24 consecutive games before a
NATIONAL CHAMPION defeat in the Big Ten Conference
BIG TEN CHAMPION championship game. School
Ohio State captures the school’s and Big Ten Conference records
seventh national championship were set by the Buckeyes for
and the Big Ten’s first unanimous rushing yards (4,321) and total
crown since 1968 by compiling a offensive yards (7,167).
14-0 record and defeating Miami 2006
in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on BIG TEN CHAMPION
Jan. 3. The 14 victories set an The 2006 Buckeyes opened the
NCAA Division I-A record. Their season at No. 1 in the polls and
31-24 double-overtime victory 2009
remained there throughout the BIG TEN CHAMPION
over Miami is typical of a heart- regular season. Jim Tressel’s
pounding season in which they Capturing their fifth straight
team compiled a perfect 12-0 Big Ten title, the 11-2 Buckeyes
win five games by six points or regular season record and won
less. Quarterback Craig Krenzel advanced to Pasadena for the
the school’s first outright Big Ten first time in 12 years, defeating
and two-way (flanker and title since 1984. The Buckeyes
cornerback) star Chris Gamble, favored Oregon 26-17 behind the
defeated No. 2 Texas in Austin play of Rose Bowl MVP Terrelle
share team MVP honors. and No. 2 Michigan in Columbus, Pryor. Winning the conference
the latter a 42-39 shootout that crown outright, Ohio State
2003 will go down as one of the most closed the regular season with
The Buckeyes extend their thrilling games every played wins over nationally ranked Penn 2014
winning streak to 19 games – the in the storied rivalry. After a State, league-leading Iowa (in NATIONAL CHAMPION
second longest in school history loss to Florida in the National overtime) and at Michigan (21-10), BIG TEN CHAMPION
at the time – before a 17-10 Championship game in Arizona, the sixth consecutive victory over Urban Meyer’s 2014 Ohio State
loss at Wisconsin ended that the Buckeyes wound up No. 2 the Wolverines, an OSU record. Buckeyes captured the eighth
streak. A triple overtime win over in the final polls. Individually,
North Carolina State was the national championship in
Troy Smith won unanimous
first OT game in Ohio Stadium 2010 school history to cap its 125th
All-America honors and became
and the longest game in OSU All wins from the 2010 football season of football. Led by eight
Ohio State’s seventh Heisman
history: 4:17. OSU won its second season were vacated by the senior starters, the Buckeyes
Trophy winner.
consecutive BCS game with a NCAA Committee on Infractions. won their final 13 games to
35-28 win over Kansas State in Ohio State, therefore, is not win the first College Football
the Fiesta Bowl.
2007 credited with winning 12 of 13 Playoff national championship
BIG TEN CHAMPION games in 2010, including the while tying the NCAA record
The Buckeyes won another Sugar Bowl; with winning a Big for wins in a season with 14.
2004 outright Big Ten title and finished Ten record sixth consecutive The Buckeyes stayed perfect
The senior class had the the regular season with an 11-1 Big Ten championship; or in Big Ten play under Meyer
satisfaction of being just the mark, the only loss coming with winning for the seventh by winning all eight games
second class in Ohio State to Illinois. Ohio State, which consecutive season over rival to extend their conference
history to post winning records moved to No. 1 in the polls by Michigan. record-winning streak to 24
against Michigan (3-1) and in mid-October, finished with a 14-3 games. Then with Cardale
bowl play (3-1). Chic Harley, win at Michigan; after a number 2012 Jones replacing the injured
Ohio State‘s first three-time All- of upsets across the nation Coach Urban Meyer and the J.T. Barrett at quarterback, the
American, had his jersey retired. during the next two weeks, the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes were Buckeyes beat Wisconsin, 59-0,
Buckeyes were No. 1 in the BCS not eligible to compete in the to win the school’s 35th Big Ten
2005 standings entering the bowl Conference championship; a win
post-season, but that didn’t
BIG TEN CHAMPION season. Ohio State went to play so convincing the team earned
stop the program from doing
The Buckeyes captured a share LSU in New Orleans, dropping a one of four positions in the first
everything else it possibly
of their 30th Big Ten title and 38-24 decision to finish ranked College Football Playoff. In the
could. The Buckeyes posted
closed the season with seven fourth. Coach Jim Tressel won CFP semifinals at the Allstate
a 12-0 record for just the sixth
consecutive wins en route to a his 200th career game with Sugar Bowl, Ohio State came
undefeated/untied season in
10-2 record. Coach Jim Tressel’s the victory at Washington. Bill back from a 21-6 deficit behind
school history and won the Big
Ten Leaders Division title. outstanding defense and 230
rushing yards from Ezekiel Elliott
73
130 SEASONS OF OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
to defeat No. 1 Alabama, 42-35,
and claim national championship
game berth vs. No. 2 Oregon.
And 11 days later in the CFP
National Championship game
at Reliant Stadium in Arlington,
Texas, the Ohio State defense
was again dominant and Elliott
led an offensive charge with
246 rushing yards and four
touchdowns in the 42-20 victory.
2015
Ohio State defeats Michigan a
fourth consecutive time, 42-13
in Ann Arbor, and then powers 2019
to a 44-28 win over Notre Dame BIG TEN CHAMPION
in the Fiesta Bowl to cap a 12-1 The Ryan Day era began in
campaign. Ohio State’s seniors spectacularly successful fashion
tie an NCAA FBS-record with 50 as the Buckeyes won their first
victories and finish their careers 13 games by an average of
with a 50-4 overall record. The over 36 points per game and
seniors are also part of a school- had one of the nation’s most
record 24-game win streak, a explosive teams on both offense
second win streak of 20 games, and defense. The Buckeyes
an FBS-record 30 consecutive produced two Heisman Trophy
conference game winning streak finalists (QB Justin Fields and DE
and a four-year, undefeated Chase Young) and the school’s
record in road games (18-0). first-ever 2,000-yard rusher in
J.K. Dobbins. The trio led the
team to the program’s third
2016
straight Big Ten title and a berth
Ohio State defeats Michigan for
in the College Football Playoff.
a fifth consecutive time, 30-27,
in double overtime before an
Ohio Stadium record crowd of
110,082 fans. The Buckeyes are
selected for the College Football
Playoffs for the second time in
the three-year existance of the
championship structure.
2017
BIG TEN CHAMPION
Ohio State won its 36th Big Ten
championship, and second under
Coach Urban Meyer, by defeating
No. 4 Wisconsin in the Big Ten
title game in Indianapolis. The 2020
Buckeyes then went on to BIG TEN CHAMPION
smother No. 8 USC, 24-7, to win In a season unlike any other due
the Goodyear Cotton Bowl and to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio
cap a 12-2 season that included State played just five regular
wins over No. 2 Penn State, No. season games of a scheduled
12 Michigan State and a sixth and reduced eight game Big Ten
consecutive win over Michigan. season. Maryland and Michigan
cancelled games against Ohio
2018 State because of the pandemic
BIG TEN CHAMPION while Ohio State cancelled its
Led by Heisman Throphy game at Illinois. Ohio State went
finalist QB Dwayne Haskins, 5-0 in those games and won
Ohio State repeated as Big its fourth consecutive outright
Ten Champions and went on to Big Ten title when it defeated
win the program’s eighth Rose Northwestern 22-10 in the
Bowl, defeating Washington Big Ten championship game.
28-23. The Buckeyes won their The Buckeyes made a second
seventh consecutive game over consecutive appearance in the
Michigan, topping the fourth- College Football Playoff. In the
ranked Wolverines 63-39 and semifinal at the Sugar Bowl,
then defeating Northwestern MVP Justin Fields threw six
45-24 in Indianapolis at the Big touchdown passes as No. 3 Ohio
Ten Championship Game. State defeated No. 2 Clemson
49-28 to earn a berth in the CFP
74 2021 Ohio State Football National Championship Game.
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