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Ohio State Buckeyes football
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Everything about Ohio State Buckeyes Football totally explainedThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) level. The team nickname is derived from the state tree of Ohio. The Buckeyes have played their home games in Ohio Stadium since 1922.
In their 118-year-history, the Buckeyes have been consensus Division IA National Champions five times, and claim a total of 7 national championships. During the 2008 season it's more then likely that the team will achieve their 800th win, becoming the fifth team to reach the mark. Jim Tressel has been the Buckeyes head coach since 2001.
Home Venues
Ohio Field (1890-1921)
Ohio Stadium (1922-present)
History
1890-1933: Beginnings
In the spring of 1890 George Cole, an undergraduate, persuaded Alexander S. Lilley to coach a football team at the Ohio State University. The Buckeyes first game, played on May 3, 1890, at Delaware, Ohio, against Ohio Wesleyan University, was a victory.
"In the fall, life for many in Columbus revolves around Ohio State University football, from the first kickoff in September to the last play in November. OSU's first home game took place at 2:30 p.m. on November 1, 1890. The Ohio State University played the University of Wooster on this site, which was then called Recreation Park. Just east of historic German Village, the park occupied the north side of Schiller (now Whittier) between Ebner and Jaeger in what is now Schumacher Place. The weather was perfect, and the crowd reportedly including a number of women, who cheered loudly. Nonetheless, OSU lost to Wooster, 64-0. Wooster, physically fit for the game, showed OSU that training is critical to winning. The tradition of training continues. Today, on football Saturdays in Ohio Stadium on Woody Hayes Drive, the sound of an O.S.U. game can be heard around the world.”
Over the next eight years, under a number of coaches, the team played to a cumulative record of 31 wins, 39 losses, and 2 ties. The first game against Michigan, in Ann Arbor, was a 34-0 loss in 1897, a year that saw the low point in Buckeye football history with a 1-7-1 record.
In 1899 the university hired John Eckstorm to bring professional coaching skills to the program and immediately went undefeated. In 1901, however, center John Segrist was fatally injured in a game and the continuation of football at Ohio State was in serious question. Although the school's athletic board let the team decide its future, Eckstorm resigned. In 1912 football underwent a number of developments that included joining the Western Conference, making football as part of a new Department of Athletics, and hiring Lynn W. St. John to be athletic director.
Ohio State's team came into national prominence in 1916 with the play of Charles W. "Chic" Harley, its first "triple threat" (runner, passer, and kicker). 1909 saw the tenth Buckeye loss to Michigan. Harley's popularity at Ohio State resulted in the construction of Ohio Stadium, a new, larger facility that opened in 1922. Prior to this construction, games were played at Ohio Field. Criticism of Wilce, particularly from "downtown coaches", led him to resign after the 1928 season, and was the first major negative influence of boosters and fans on the football program
The game of 1916
On October 14, 1916, Ohio State faced off against Ohio foe Oberlin College at Ohio Field. Ohio State crushed Oberlin with a final score of 128-0. The star of the game was Chic Harley who scored 5 touchdowns. The crowd of 3,300 saw the Buckeyes post 1,140 total yards and force Oberlin to punt 16 times. This record for the most points in an Ohio State game still stands, and it remains the only time the Scarlet and Grey scored over 100.
1934-1978 Big-time football
In hiring Francis Schmidt in March 1934 to coach its football team, Ohio State moved its program to a "big-time" level of competition. Schmidt was a well-established coach and an acknowledged offensive innovator. His offensive schemes were a "wide-open" style called "razzle-dazzle" and led him to be the first Buckeye football coach granted a multi-year contract. Schmidt's first four seasons saw victories over archrival Michigan, all by shut-out. The 1935 squad went 7-1, its sole loss was to Notre Dame, 18-13, in the first contest between the programs. However Schmidt's remaining seasons were less successful, except in 1939 when the Buckeyes won the Big Ten championship, and his popularity faded for a number of reasons. On December 17, 1940, he resigned.
Ohio State hired the coach of Massillon Washington High School football team, Paul Brown, to succeed Schmidt. Brown's Tigers had just won their sixth straight state championship. Brown immediately changed Ohio State's style of offense, planned and organized his program in great detail, and delegated to his assistant coaches using highly-structured practices. In 1942, Ohio State lost 22 veteran players to military service at the start of World War II, and with a team of mostly sophomores went on to lose only once in winning its first national championship. Brown
accepted a commission in the United States Navy in 1944 and directed his assistant Carroll Widdoes to head the team in his absence. The 1944 team fielded 31 freshmen but went undefeated and untied, including a victory over Paul Brown's Great Lakes Navy team. Ohio State finished second in the national rankings behind Army and Les Horvath became the first Buckeye to be awarded the Heisman Trophy. Also prominent on the 1942-44 teams was the first Buckeye African American star, Bill Willis.
Brown chose not to return to Ohio State after the war, going into professional football instead. Widdoes, despite having the highest two-year winning percentage of any Buckeye coach, asked to return to an assistant's position. Paul Bixler, an assistant, replaced Widdoes and endured a mediocre 4-3-2 season. Bixler resigned and talk of Ohio State being a "graveyard of coaches" became commonplace, a reputation that lingered for decades.
Wes Fesler became head coach in 1947 but finished last in the Big Ten for the only time in team history. Ohio State improved greatly in 1948, winning 6 and losing 3, then in 1949 enjoyed a successful season due to the play of sophomore Vic Janowicz. Ohio State received the Rose Bowl invitation, where they came from behind to defeat California. In 1950 Fesler, rumored to be resigning because of pressures associated with the position and abuse of his family by anonymous critics, returned to coach the Buckeyes, who won six games in a row to move into the top ranking in the AP poll. However the season fell apart as the Buckeyes lost to Michigan during a blizzard, a game that came to be known as the " Snow Bowl". Two weeks later, citing concerns about his health and family, Fesler resigned.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes beat out Paul Brown, among others, to be named head coach on February 18, 1951. He instituted a demanding practice regimen and was both aggressive and vocal in enforcing it, alienating many players accustomed to Fesler's laid-back style. The 1951 Buckeyes won 4, lost 3, and tied 2, leaving many to question the ability of the new coach. In 1952 the team improved to 6-3, and recorded their first victory over Michigan in eight years, but after a 1953 loss to Michigan, critics called for the replacement of Hayes.
In 1954 the Buckeyes were picked to finish no higher than 10th in the Big Ten. Hayes, however, had the talents of Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, and a historic goal-line stand against Michigan propelled Ohio State to a perfect season. Hayes led the powerhouse Buckeyes to a shared national championship (his first and the team's second). In 1955 the team again won the Big Ten, set an attendance record, and won in Ann Arbor for the first time in 18 years, while Hopalong Cassady was securing the Heisman Trophy. Ohio State passed only three times against Michigan (the sole reception was the only completion in the final three games of the year), leading to characterization of Hayes' style of offensive play as "three yards and a cloud of dust".
In a 1955 article in Sports Illustrated, Hayes admitted making small personal loans to financially-needy players. The article resulted in a furor over possible violations of NCAA rules, and the faculty council, followed by the Big Ten and NCAA, conducted lengthy investigations. Big Ten Commissioner Kenneth "Tug" Wilson found Hayes and the program guilty of violations and placed it on a year's probation in 1956. In 1957 Ohio State won all of its remaining games after an opening loss to claim the Big Ten championship, win the Rose Bowl over Oregon, and share a national championship title with Auburn, for which Hayes was named Coach of the Year.
In 1961 the team went undefeated to be named national champions by the FWAA but a growing conflict between academics and athletics over Ohio State's reputation as a "football school" resulted in a faculty council vote to decline an invitation to the Rose Bowl, resulting in much public protest and debate. Over the next 6 seasons Ohio State finished no higher than 2nd, and had a losing season in 1966, and public speculation that Hayes would be replaced as coach grew to its highest point since 1953.
In 1968 Ohio State defeated the number one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers and continued to an undefeated season including a 50-14 rout of Michigan and a Rose Bowl victory over the USC Trojans that resulted in the national championship. The Class of 1970 became known as the "super sophomores" in 1968, and might have gone on to three consecutive national championships except for what may have been the bitterest loss in Buckeye history. The winning streak reached 22 games as Ohio State traveled to Michigan. The Buckeyes were 17-point favorites but directed by first-year coach Bo Schembechler, Michigan shocked the Buckeyes in a 24-12 upset.
The 1969 loss to Michigan initiated what came to be known as "The Ten Year War," in which the rivalry, which pitted some of OSU’s and UM’s strongest teams ever, rose to the uppermost level of all sports and the competition between Schembechler and Hayes became legendary. Four times between 1970 and 1975, Ohio State and Michigan were both ranked in the top five of the AP Poll before their matchup. Hayes had the upper hand during the first part of the war, in which Ohio State won the conference championship and went to the Rose Bowl four straight years, while Michigan won the final three.
Archie Griffin came to Ohio State in 1972, set a new Buckeye single-game rushing record and led the team in rushing for the season. The following season Hayes installed an I formation attack with Griffin at tailback and the Buckeyes went undefeated with a powerful offense and equally impenetrable defense, the only blemish on their record a 10-10 tie with Michigan. The falloff in success of Hayes' last three years wasn't great but resulted in growing criticism of Hayes and his methods, particularly his on-the-field fits of temper. His downfall was sudden and shocking when at the 1978 Gator Bowl, Hayes took a swing at a Clemson nose guard in frustration after an interception. Hayes was fired after the game.
1979-present
Hayes was replaced by a former protegé, Earle Bruce, who inherited a strong team led by sophomore quarterback Art Schlichter and returned to the Rose Bowl with an opportunity once again to be national champions. The Buckeyes lost both by a single point, but Bruce was named Coach of the Year. His success was hailed by those in the media who saw it as a rebuke of Hayes and the start of a "new era".
1980, however, saw the start of a trend that eventually brought criticism to Bruce, when Ohio State finished with a 9-3 record. This was the first of six consecutive years at 9-3. While each of these seasons, and a 10-3 season that followed them, culminated in a bowl game, Ohio State didn't appear to be any closer to a national championship than during the end of the Hayes era.
In 1986 Bruce received a 3-year contract, the first for the modern program, but the team opened with two losses for the first time in over 90 years. The Buckeyes then won nine in a row before losing to Michigan in a close game. After the season Bruce was offered the position of head coach at the University of Arizona but was persuaded to stay at his alma mater by Athletic Director Rick Bay. Hopes for a standout season in 1987 suffered a serious setback when All-American wide receiver Cris Carter was dropped from the team for signing with an agent. Heading into the Michigan game at the end of the season Ohio State was in the midst of a three game conference losing streak.
On the Monday of Michigan week, after a weekend of rumors and speculation, Ohio State President Edward Jennings fired Bruce but tried to keep the dismissal secret until after the end of the season. Jennings aggravated the situation by refusing to provide a reason for the dismissal, but the Buckeyes enjoyed an emotional come-from-behind victory over Michigan after the entire team wore headbands bearing the word "EARLE".
John Cooper was hired as head coach with a winning record at both Tulsa and Arizona State University that stood out among his credentials, as did a victory over Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Cooper's thirteen years as the Buckeye's head coach are largely remembered for a litany of negative statistics associated with him: a notorious 2-10-1 record against Michigan, a 3-9 record in bowl games, a five year losing streak to Illinois, a 63-14 loss to Penn State, and a 28-24 loss to unranked Michigan State when the Buckeyes were the top-ranked team in the nation and en route to a national championship. However, his tenure also included many positives: back-to-back victories over Notre Dame, two second-ranked finishes in the polls, and three Big Ten championships (albeit shared). Cooper also recruited fifteen players who were first-round draft picks in the National Football League.
In January 2001, The Ohio State University dismissed Cooper for a "deteriorating climate." A loss in the 2000 Outback Bowl was a factor in his subsequent firing, as was negative publicity regarding player behavior before and during the game. Other contributing factors included his record against Michigan (which was actually considered by most people to be the biggest reason for his firing), his perceived inability to win "big games", the lack of a national championship, the perception of him as an outsider by many alumni, the poor bowl game record, and finally a perceived lack of discipline on the team.
Ohio State quickly sought a replacement for Cooper and after a nationwide search hired Jim Tressel. With four NCAA Division I-AA National Championships at Youngstown State Tressel, formerly an assistant coach for Earle Bruce, was an Ohioan who was considered to be appreciative of Buckeye football traditions. Although there were some doubts as to whether or not Tressel could repeat his earlier success at the Division 1A level, most fans and alumni met the coaching change with enthusiasm. On the day of his hiring, Jim Tressel, speaking to fans and students at a Buckeye basketball game, made a prophetic implication that he'd lead the Buckeyes to beat Michigan in Ann Arbor the following November.
Tressel's first season was difficult as the Buckeyes finished 7-5, but he made good on his promise, beating Michigan in Ann Arbor. While its fans were optimistic about the chance for success of the 2002 team, most observers were surprised by Ohio State's National Championship. Ohio State used strong defense, ball-control play-calling, and field position tactics to win numerous close games, a style of play characterized as "Tresselball", and disparaged by detractors as "the Luckeyes". One of the most notable examples occurred against Purdue on November 9, when quarterback Craig Krenzel threw a 4th down touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins late in the game to win, on a play that has gone down in Buckeye lore as " Holy Buckeye". ( Buckeye Commentary - Holy Buckeye )
2002 National Title Game
Ohio State faced off against powerhouse Miami (FL). The Buckeyes were large underdogs going into the game. However, second year coach Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes had other plans. No one thought Ohio State should be there, let alone have any chance to win the game. The 'Canes started off by striking first in the first quarter. The Buckeyes scored 14 points in the second quarter and took the lead but once overtime started, Ohio State faced a 4th and goal from 3 yards away when OSU QB Craig Krenzel threw for Chris Gamble, but the pass fell incomplete and Miami fans started to rush the field but there was a flag: pass interference on Miami. The Buckeyes got new life and a fresh set of downs. Krenzel ran up the middle to score and force a second overtime. The Buckeyes got the ball first in the second overtime and Maurice Clarret scored and Mike Nugent's PAT was good, making it a 7 point game. The 'Canes drove to the 3 yard line and on 4th down an Ohio State blitz sent Miami QB Ken Dorsey to throw with Cie Grant in his face right to a Matt Wilhelm who sent the ball crashing to the ground. The Buckeyes won the their first National Title in 32 years. In his post-game speech Coach Tressel was quoted as saying, We've always had "The Best Damn Band In The Land," Now we've the Best Damn Team In The Land!"
The team's success continued with an additional Big Ten championships in 2005. In the initial USA Today Coaches' Poll of 2006, Ohio State was ranked the number one in Division I-A. When the first BCS rankings were released in October Ohio State found itself at the top and remained there throughout the regular season. On November 18, 2006 the Buckeyes defeated the second ranked, and unbeaten, Michigan Wolverines 42-39. It was the first time in the 103-year history of the rivalry that the teams entered the game ranked first and second. As a result, Ohio State won the Big Ten championship and a spot in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. Ohio State also received a perfect score of 1.000 under the BCS formula, the first team ever to do so. In the championship game the Buckeyes were defeated by the University of Florida Gators 41-14. At the close of the 2006-07 season Jim Tressel's record as head coach of the Buckeyes was 62-14.
Ohio State's success continued in 2007 with another Big Ten championship and their sixth victory in seven years over Michigan. Ohio State played for the BCS National Championship Game for the third time in six years on January 7, 2008, in New Orleans.. OSU lost this game 38-24 to the LSU Tigers.
Coaching staff
Since January 18, 2001, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes has been Jim Tressel. He heads a staff of approximately eighty:
- ten assistant coaches,
- a strength and conditioning staff of three,
- a program operations and support staff of eleven (including two part-time coaches),
- a sports medicine staff of eleven team physicians and seven consultants,
- twenty-five athletic trainers,
- six equipment managers, and
- approximately ten to twelve student managers.
Buckeye football traditions
Ohio State football is rich in traditions, and Coach Tressel has since his hiring made upholding tradition a cornerstone of his program. The following are football traditions in chronogical order of longevity:
Senior tackle
Begun in 1913 by head coach John Wilce, seniors on the team are recognized at the last practice of the season, either before the Michigan game or before departing Columbus to play in a bowl game, and hit the blocking sled a final time.
Illibuck
The winner of the Ohio State-Illinois game has been awarded the Illibuck trophy since 1925.. Until 1927 the teams played for a live turtle, now it's made out of wood.
Gold pants
A gold miniature charm depicting a pair of football pants is given to all players and coaches following a victory over the Michigan Wolverines. The tradition began as the result of a comment to reporters by newly-hired head coach Francis Schmidt on March 2, 1934: "How about Michigan? They put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as we do!" The first gold pants, which were a creation of Simon Lazarus (president of the Lazarus chain of department stores) and Herbert Levy, were awarded that year for a 34-0 drubbing of the Wolverines.
Captain's Breakfast
1934 also saw the first gathering of former team captains for breakfast on the Sunday following the Homecoming game. The event began when local businessman Walter Jeffrey invited twenty former captains to the Scioto Country Club to honor them, and continues to welcome new captains and award them mugs bearing their names and season.
Buckeye Grove
Begun in 1934, each player who wins "first-team All-America" honors is recognized by the planting of a buckeye tree and installation of a plaque in Buckeye Grove, now located near the southwestern corner of Ohio Stadium next to Morrill Tower. Trees are planted in ceremonies held prior to the Spring Game. All 125 Buckeye All-Americans dating back to 1914 have been so honored.
Michigan Week
Since 1935 the annual game against Michigan has been the final meeting of the regular season for both teams. The week prior to "The Game", known as Michigan Week, is characterized by scheduled school spirit and public service events, such as rallies, touch football games, and blood drives; and by massive displays of school colors and banners in much of Ohio. In an unofficial culmination to Michigan Week, since 1990 on the Thursday night before "The Game" students have participated in the "Mirror Lake jump", an unofficial gathering at Mirror Lake, a pond between Pomerene Hall and The Oval, in which masses of students jump into the water.
Kickoff
During kickoffs at home games, the crowd shouts "O-H-I-O." Occasionally the chant can be heard at away games where there's a large number of Buckeye fans.
Block O
Since 1938 the registered student organization Block O has been the "Official Cheering Section" of the Buckeyes. "Known for spreading spirit, starting cheers and performing card stunts, Block 'O' was founded...by Clancy Isaac". They occupy Section 39A in the South grandstand of Ohio Stadium, next to the band.
Victory Bell
The Victory Bell is rung after every Ohio State victory by members of Alpha Phi Omega, a tradition that began after the Bucks beat California October 2, 1954. Reputedly the ringing can be heard five miles away "on a calm day." Located 150 feet high in the southeast tower of Ohio Stadium, the bell was a gift of the classes of 1943, 1944 and 1945, and weighs 2,420 pounds.
Hang on Sloopy
First played at the Illinois game of October 9, 1965, the rock song Hang on Sloopy is now played by the marching band before the start of the fourth quarter, with fans performing an O-H-I-O chant in the intervals between the refrains. The song is also played to encourage the team's defensive players when opponents are moving the ball on offense late in a game. This is also played at the end of the third quarter at Cleveland Browns games.
Buckeye leaves
Since 1968 the helmets of Ohio State players have been adorned with white decals approximately the size of a quarter depicting a buckeye leaf, awarded for making significant plays and for consistency of performance.
Tunnel of Pride
The Tunnel of Pride began with the 1994 Michigan game when all former players who were in attendance formed a tunnel through which the team ran to take the field, and Ohio State beat its rival that day, 22-6. Rex Kern, quarterback of the 1968 National Championship team, and then Director of Athletics Andy Geiger together used the concept as a means of connecting current Buckeyes with those who played before them. The Tunnel of Pride was next formed for the 1995 Notre Dame game, which the Buckeyes also won. In each home game against Michigan since, the tradition has been repeated.
Carmen Ohio
Instituted by Coach Tressel in 2001, at the conclusion of all home games the coaches, players and cheerleaders gather in the south end zone next to the marching band to sing the university's alma mater, Carmen Ohio.
The Hive and pre-game circle
Tressel brought to the Buckeye football program two pre-game traditions he developed at Youngstown State. Prior to its warmup routine before every football game, the team exits the locker room as a unit in a controlled manner, linked arm-in-arm in a group known as "The Hive". After warmups the team returns to the locker room, and when it next appears, runs onto the field and forms a circle of players around the strength coach, who exhorts the team into a frenzy in which they pummel each other with fists.
Mirror Lake
Before the Ohio State/Michigan game at the end of the season, OSU students typically jump into Mirror Lake, located on campus, the Thursday night before the game. The tradition is thought to bring good luck to the football team the following gameday.
Marching Band
The Marching Band, known as "The Best Damn Band In The Land" or by the acronym TBDBITL is the most visible and possibly best-known tradition of Ohio State football. Home games are preceded by three much-anticipated traditions, and a fourth, "dotting the 'i'" of Script Ohio, enjoys a reputation all its own:
Skull Session
Ramp entrance
The Back Bend
Script Ohio
Rivalries
While its rivalry with the University of Michigan is its most renowned and intense, Ohio State has two other series marked by their longevity, both Big Ten Conference rivals, those of Indiana and Illinois. The series versus Indiana began as a non-conference matchup, with Indiana going undefeated at 4-0-1. In conference, however, the Buckeyes (despite losing the opening conference game) are 65-8-4 through the 2006 season, the most wins against any opponent. Illinois also began with non-conference games (0-1-1) but became the longest continuous series in 2002 when the schools played in their 89th consecutive year. (That record was tied by Michigan in 2007.) Through 2006 Ohio State's record against the Illini is 60-29-4. In 2007, Ohio State was given their first defeat of the season by the Illini.
When Penn State was added to the conference football play in 1993, every member was given two designated rivals, teams to be played every year, with the other conference teams rotated out of the schedule at regular intervals. For geographic convenience, the Big Ten named Penn State as Ohio State's new designated rival in addition to Michigan, and Illinois was set to be paired with in-state rival Northwestern and neighboring Indiana, and in doing so undermined Ohio State's historical rivalry with Illinois.
All-time records
All-time coaching records
All totals per OSU Athletics
» ¹ Hickey was hired part-way into the season and a student coached the team several games.
² 1961 and 1970 national title recognized by OSU Athletics
All-time Bowl Games
2007/08 BCS Championship— Louisiana State University 38, Ohio State 24
2006/07 BCS Championship— Florida 41, Ohio State 14 (final #2 ranking)
2005/06 Fiesta— Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20 (final #4 ranking)
2004/05 Alamo— Ohio State 33, Oklahoma State 7
2003/04 Fiesta— Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28 (final #4 ranking)
2002/03 Fiesta— Ohio State 31, Miami (FL) 24 (2OT) (National Champions)
2001/02 Outback— South Carolina 31, Ohio State 28
2000/01 Outback— South Carolina 24, Ohio State 7
1998/99 Sugar— Ohio State 24, Texas A&M 14 (final #2 ranking)
1997/98 Sugar— Florida State 31, Ohio State 14
1996/97 Rose— Ohio State 20, Arizona State 17 (final #2 ranking)
1995/96 Citrus— Tennessee 20, Ohio State 14
1994/95 Citrus— Alabama 24, Ohio State 17
1993/94 Holiday— Ohio State 28, Brigham Young 21
1992/93 Citrus— Georgia 21, Ohio State 14
1991/92 Hall of Fame— Syracuse 24, Ohio State 17
1990/91 Liberty— Air Force 23, Ohio State 11
1989/90 Hall of Fame— Auburn 31, Ohio State 14
1986/87 Cotton— Ohio State 28, Texas A&M 12
1985/86 Citrus— Ohio State 10, Brigham Young 7
1984/85 Rose— Southern California 20, Ohio State 17
1983/84 Fiesta— Ohio State 28, Pittsburgh 23
1982/83 Holiday— Ohio State 47, Brigham Young 17
1981/82 Liberty— Ohio State 31, Navy 28
1980/81 Fiesta— Penn State 31, Ohio State 19
1979/80 Rose— Southern California 17, Ohio State 16
1978/79 Gator— Clemson 17, Ohio State 15
1977/78 Sugar— Alabama 35, Ohio State 6
1976/77 Orange— Ohio State 27, Colorado 10
1975/76 Rose— UCLA 23, Ohio State 10
1974/75 Rose— Southern California 18, Ohio State 17
1973/74 Rose— Ohio State 42, Southern California 21
1972/73 Rose— Southern California 42, Ohio State 17
1970/71 Rose— Stanford 27, Ohio State 17
1968/69 Rose— Ohio State 27, Southern California 16
1957/58 Rose— Ohio State 10, Oregon 7
1954/55 Rose— Ohio State 20, Southern California 7
1949/50 Rose— Ohio State 17, California 14
1920/21 Rose— California 28, Ohio State 0
All-time Big Ten records
Source: Ohio State Athletics football page
Over the years, Ohio State has either won outright or shared 32 Big Ten titles. The championship in 2007 was OSU's fourth under Jim Tressel, the last two being outright. The Buckeyes also shared the title in 2005 (7-1 Big Ten) and in 2002, notching a perfect 8-0 record. With a 7-1 league record during the 2007 season, Ohio State owns an all-time Big Ten record of 443-188-28 in 94 seasons of league competition.
Individual awards and achievements
Through the 2006 season Ohio State players have by a significant margin won more trophies than any other NCAA Division 1A program. Ohio State players have won 34 of the listed major awards, with the next closest being 26 (Oklahoma). Ohio State is the only university to have received each of the awards at least once. Of the five awards created prior to 1980 (Heisman, Lombardi, Maxwell, Outland, and Walter Camp), Ohio State has received the most with 25 (Notre Dame follows with 23).
List Of All-Americans
1910's
1914: Boyd Cherry (E)
1916: Chic Harley (B), Robert Karch (T)
1917: Charles Bolen (E), Harold Courtney (E), Chic Harley (B), Kelley VanDyne (C)
1918: Clarence MacDonald (E)
1919: Chic Harley (B), Gaylord Stinchcomb (B)
1920's
1920: Iolas Huffman (G), Gaylord Stinchcomb (B)
1921: Iolas Huffman (G), Cyril Myers (E)
1923: Harry Workman (QB)
1924: Harold Cunningham (E)
1925: Edwin Hess (G)
1926: Edwin Hess (G), Marty Karow (HB), Leo Raskowski (T)
1927: Leo Raskowski (T)
1928: Wes Fesler (E)
1929: Wes Fesler (E)
1930
1930: Wes Fesler (E), Lew Hinchman (HB)
1931: Carl Cramer (QB), Lew Hinchman (HB)
1932: Joseph Gailus (G), Sid Gillman (E), Lew Hinchman (HB), Ted Rosequist (T)
1933: Joseph Gailus (G)
1934: Regis Monahan (G), Merle Wendt (E)
1935: Gomer Jones (C), Merle Wendt (E)
1936: Charles Hamrick (T), Inwood Smith (G), Merle Wendt (E)
1937: Carl Kaplanoff (T), Jim McDonald (QB), Ralph Wolf (C), Gust Zarnas (G)
1939: Vic Marino (G), Esco Sarkkinen (E), Don Scott (HB)
1940's
1940: Don Scott (HB)
1942: Robert Shaw (E), Charles Csuri (T), Lin Houston (G), Paul Sarringhaus (HB), Gene Fekete (E)
1943: Bill Willis (T)
1944: Jack Dugger (E), Bill Willis (T), William Hackett (G), Les Horvath (QB/HB)
1945: Warren Amling (G), Ollie Cline (FB), Russell Thomas (T)
1946: Warren Amling (G), Cecil Souders (E)
1950's
1950: Robert Momsen (T), Robert McMullogh (C), Vic Janowicz (HB)
1952: Mike Takacs (G)
1954: Dean Dugger (E), Howard Cassady (HB), Jim Reichenbach (G)
1955: Jim Parker (G), Howard Cassady (HB)
1956: Jim Parker (G)
1957: Aurealius Thomas (G)
1958: Jim Houston (E), Jim Marshall (T), Bob White (E)
1959: Jim Houston (E)
1960's
1960: Bob Ferguson (FB)
1961: Bob Ferguson (FB)
1964: Jim Davis (T), Ike Kelley (LB), Arnie Chonko (DB)
1965: Doug Van Horn (G), Ike Kelley (LB)
1966: Ray Pryor (C)
1968: Dave Foley (OT), Rufus Mayes (OT)
1969: Jim Stillwagon (G), Rex Kern (QB), Jim Otis (FB), Ted Provost (CB), Jack Tatum (CB)
1970's
1970: Jan White (TE), Jim Stillwagon (MG), John Brockington (FB), Jack Tatum (CB), Mike Sensibaugh (S), Tim Anderson (CB)
1971: Tom DeLeone (C)
1972: John Hicks (OT), Randy Gradishar (LB)
1973: John Hicks (OT), Randy Gradishar (LB), Archie Griffin (TB)
1974: Van Ness DeCree (DE), Kurt Schumacher (OT), Pete Cusick (DT), Archie Griffin (TB), Neal Colzie (CB), Tom Skladany (P)
1975: Ted Smith (OG), Archie Griffin (TB), Tim Fox (S), Tom Sklandany (P)
1976: Bob Brudzinski (DE), Chris Ward (OT), Tom Sklandany (P)
1977: Chris Ward (OT), Aaron Brown (NG), Tom Cousineau (LB), Ray Griffin (S)
1978: Tom Cousineau (LB)
1979: Ken Fritz (OG), Art Schlichter (QB)
1980's
1982: Marcus Marek (LB)
1984: Jim Lachey (OG), Keith Byars (TB)
1985: Pepper Johnson (LB)
1986: Cris Carter (SE), Chris Spielman (LB)
1987: Chris Spielman (LB), Tom Tupa (P)
1988: Jeff Uhlenhake (C)
1990's
1991: Steve Tovar (LB)
1992: Steve Tovar (LB)
1993: Korey Stringer (OT), Dan Wilkinson (DT)
1994: Korey Stringer (OT)
1995: Eddie George (TB), Terry Glenn (FL), Orlando Pace (OT), Mike Vrabel (DE)
1996: Orlando Pace (OT), Shawn Springs (CB), Mike Vrabel (DE)
1997: Andy Katzenmoyer (LB), Rob Murphy (OG), Antoine Winfield (CB)
1998: David Boston (SE), Damon Moore (SS), Rob Murphy (CB), Antoine Winfield (CB)
1999: Na'il Diggs (LB)
2000's
2000: Mike Doss (SS)
2001: LeCharles Bentley (C), Mike Doss (SS)
2002: Mike Doss (SS), Andy Groom (P), Mike Nugent (PK), Matt Wilhelm (LB)
2003: Will Allen (SS)
2004: Mike Nugent (PK), A. J. Hawk (LB)
2005: A. J. Hawk (LB)
2006: Troy Smith (QB), James Laurinaitis (LB), Quinn Pitcock (DL)
2007: James Laurinaitis (LB), Chris Wells (RB)
Heisman Trophy
Ohio State players have won the Heisman Trophy seven times. Archie Griffin is the only two-time recipient in the history of the award.
Les Horvath 1944
Vic Janowicz 1950
Howard "Hopalong" Cassady 1955
Archie Griffin 1974, 1975
Eddie George 1995
Troy Smith 2006
Lombardi Award
Ohio State players have won the Lombardi Award six times. Orlando Pace is the only two-time recipient in the history of the award.
Jim Stillwagon 1970
John Hicks 1973
Chris Spielman 1987
Orlando Pace 1995, 1996
A. J. Hawk 2005
Maxwell Award
Four Ohio State players have won the Maxwell Award:
Howard "Hopalong" Cassady 1955
Bob Ferguson 1961
Archie Griffin 1975
Eddie George 1995
Outland Trophy
Four Ohio State players have won the Outland Trophy:
Jim Parker 1956
Jim Stillwagon 1970
John Hicks 1973
Orlando Pace 1996
Walter Camp Award
Three Ohio State players have won the Walter Camp Award:
Archie Griffin 1974, 1975
Eddie George 1995
Troy Smith 2006
Other Awards
Eddie George received the Doak Walker Award in 1995
Terry Glenn received the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 1995
Andy Katzenmoyer received the Dick Butkus Award in 1997
Antoine Winfield received the Jim Thorpe Award in 1998
LeCharles Bentley received the Dave Rimington Trophy in 2001
B. J. Sander received the Ray Guy Award in 2003
Mike Nugent received the Lou Groza Award in 2004
James Laurinaitis received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006
Troy Smith received the Davey O'Brien Award in 2006
James Laurinaitis received the Dick Butkus Award in 2007
Season MVP
Voted by players at the end of the season.
1930: Wes Fesler - end - also Big Ten MVP
1931: Robert Haubrich - tackle
1932: Lew Hinchman - halfback
1933: Mickey Vuchinich - fullback
1934: Gomer Jones - center
1935: Gomer Jones - center
1936: Ralph Wolf - center
1937: Ralph Wolf - center
1938: Jim Langhurst - fullback
1939: Steve Andrako - center
1940: Claude White - center
1941: Jack Graf - fullback - also Big Ten MVP
1942: Chuck Csuri - tackle
1943: Gordon Appleby - center
1944: Les Horvath - quarterback - also Big Ten MVP
1945: Ollie Cline - fullback - also Big Ten MVP
1946: Cecil Souders - end
1947: Dave Templeton - guard
1948: Joe Whisler - fullback
1949: Jack Lininger - center
1950: Vic Janowicz - halfback - also Big Ten MVP
1951: Vic Janowicz - halfback
1952: Fred Bruney - halfback
1953: George Jacoby - tackle
1954: Howard "Hopalong" Cassady - halfback
1955: Howard "Hopalong" Cassady - halfback - also Big Ten MVP
1956: Jim Parker - guard
1957: Bill Jobko - guard
1958: Jim Houston - end
1959: Jim Houston - end
1960: Tom Matte - quarterback
1961: Bob Ferguson - fullback
1962: Billy Armstrong - center
1963: Matt Snell - fullback
1964: Ed Orazen - defensive lineman
1965: Doug Van Horn - offensive guard
1966: Ray Pryor - center
1967: Dirk Worden - linebacker
1968: Mark Stier - linebacker
1969: Jim Otis - fullback
1970: Jim Stillwagon - defensive lineman
1971: Tom DeLeone- center
1972: George Hasenohrl - defensive lineman
1973: Archie Griffin - running back - also Big Ten MVP
1974: Archie Griffin - tailback - also Big Ten MVP
1975: Cornelius Greene - quarterback - also Big Ten MVP
1976: Bob Brudzinski - defensive end
1977: Dave Adkins - linebacker
1978: Tom Cousineau - linebacker
1979: Jim Laughlin - linebacker
1980: Calvin Murray - tailback
1981: Art Schlichter - quarterback - also Big Ten MVP
1982: Tim Spencer - running back
1983: John Frank - tight end
1984: Keith Byars - running back - also Big Ten MVP
1985: Jim Karsatos - quarterback
1986: Cris Carter - wide receiver
1987: Chris Spielman - linebacker
1988: Jeff Uhlenhake - center
1989: Derek Isaman - linebacker
1990: Jeff Graham - wide receiver
1991: Carlos Snow - tailback
1992: Kirk Herbstreit - quarterback
1993: Raymont Harris - tailback
1994: Korey Stringer - offensive tackle
1995: Eddie George - tailback - also Big Ten MVP
1996: Orlando Pace - offensive tackle - also Big Ten MVP
1997: Antoine Winfield - defensive back
1998: Joe Germaine - quarterback - also Big Ten MVP
1999: Ahmed Plummer - defensive back
2000: Derek Combs - tailback
2001: Jonathan Wells - tailback
2002: Craig Krenzel - quarterback / Chris Gamble - wide receiver/defensive back
2003: Michael Jenkins - wide receiver
2004: Mike Nugent - placekicker
2005: A. J. Hawk - linebacker
2006: Troy Smith - quarterback - also Big Ten MVP
2007: Chris "Beanie" Wells - tailback
All-Century Team
Ohio State's All-Time Team
Chosen in 2001 by Athlon Sports. (External Link)
Offense
WR Paul Warfield 1961-63
WR Cris Carter 1984-86
WR Terry Glenn 1993-95
WR David Boston 1996-98
TE John Frank 1980-83
OL Jim Parker 1954-56
OL Korey Stringer 1992-94
OL Gomer Jones 1934-35
OL John Hicks 1970, 72-73
OL Orlando Pace 1994-96
QB Les Horvath 1940-42, 44
RB Howard "Hopalong" Cassady 1952-55
RB Archie Griffin 1972-75
RB Eddie George 1992-95
K Vlade Janakievski 1977-80
Defense
DL Wes Fesler 1928-30
DL Bill Willis 1942-44
DL Jim Stillwagon 1968-70
DL Dan Wilkinson 1992-93
DL Mike Vrabel 1993-96
LB Tom Cousineau 1975-78
LB Chris Spielman 1984-87
LB Andy Katzenmoyer 1996-98
LB Marcus Marek 1979-82
LB Steve Tovar 1989-92
DB Vic Janowicz 1949-51
DB Jack Tatum 1968-70
DB Mike Sensibaugh 1968-70
DB Neal Colzie 1972-74
DB Antoine Winfield 1995-98
P Tom Tupa 1984-87
NCAA Coach of the Year
Three Ohio State head coaches have received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award as NCAA Coach of the Year a total of five times:
Woody Hayes 1957, 1968, 1975
Earle Bruce 1979
Jim Tressel 2002
In addition, two coaches were voted "National Coach of the Year" before the inception of the Bryant Award. Carroll Widdoes, acting head coach after Paul Brown had entered the United States Navy, was voted the honor in 1944. Brown himself was voted the honor in 1942 for winning the National Championship but declined in favor of Georgia Institute of Technology's Bill Alexander.
All-American and All-Conference honors
Through 2006 128 Buckeyes have been named first team All-Americans since 1914. 234 have been named to the All-Big Ten team, and 15 have won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player award, including Troy Smith for 2006. The Athletic Directors of the Big Ten Conference voted Eddie George Big Ten-Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year for 1996.
On November 22, 2006, ten Buckeyes were named to either the Coaches or Conference media All-Big Ten First Team selections for the 2006 season, and seven were named to both. Troy Smith was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Four other Buckeyes received Second Team honors.
Academic awards and achievements
Rhodes Scholarship
On December 6, 1985, Mike Lanese was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to University of Oxford.
College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-Americans
Academic All-American Hall of Fame
Class of 1992 Randy Gradishar
Academic All-Americans
Academic All-American Player of the Year
2003 Craig Krenzel
Academic All-Americans
¹2nd team award
National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame
Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy ("Academic Heisman")
1995 Bobby Hoying
2003 Craig Krenzel
National Scholar-Athlete Awards
Ohio State's eighteen NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards rank second only to Nebraska's twenty among all college football programs.
1965 Willard Sander
1968 David Foley
1970 Rex Kern
1973 Randy Gradishar
1975 Brian Baschnagel
1979 Jim Laughlin
1982 Joe Smith
1983 John Frank
1984 Dave Crecelius
1985 Mike Lanese
1989 Joe Staysniak
1990 Greg Frey
1992 Greg Smith
1994 Joey Galloway
1995 Bobby Hoying
1996 Greg Bellisari
1999 Ahmed Plummer
Individual school records
Rushing records
Most rushing attempts, career: 924, Archie Griffin (1972-75)
Most rushing attempts, season: 336, Keith Byars (1984)
Most rushing attempts, game: 44, Champ Henson (November 18, 1972 at Northwestern)
Most rushing yards, career: 5,589, Archie Griffin (1972-75)
Most rushing yards, season: 1,927, Eddie George (1995)
Most rushing yards, game: 314, Eddie George (November 11, 1995 vs. Illinois)
Most rushing yards against Michigan, game: 222, Chris Wells (November 17, 2007)
Most rushing touchdowns, career: 56, Pete Johnson (1973-76)
Most rushing touchdowns, season: 25, Pete Johnson (1975)
Most rushing touchdowns, game: 5, Pete Johnson (September 27, 1975 vs. North Carolina) and Keith Byars (October 13,1984 vs. Illinois)
Longest run from scrimmage: 89 yards, Gene Fekete (November 7, 1942 vs. Pittsburgh)
Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, career: 34, Archie Griffin (1972-75)
Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, season: 12, Eddie George (1995)
Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, career: 5 Eddie George (1992-95)
Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, season: 3, Eddie George (1995)
Passing records
Most passing attempts, career: 934, Art Schlichter (1978-81)
Most passing attempts, season: 384, Joe Germaine (1998)
Most passing attempts, game: 52, Art Schlichter (October 3, 1981 vs. Florida State)
Most passing completions, career: 498, Bobby Hoying (1992-95)
Most passing completions, season: 230, Joe Germaine (1998)
Most passing completions, game: 31, Art Schlichter (October 3, 1981 vs. Florida State) and Joe Germaine (October 31, 1998 at Indiana)
Most passing yards, career: 7,547, Art Schlichter (1978-81)
Most passing yards, season: 3,330, Joe Germaine (1998)
Most passing yards, game: 458, Art Schlichter (October 3, 1981 vs. Florida State)
Most passing touchdowns, career: 57, Bobby Hoying (1992-95)
Most passing touchdowns, season: 30, Troy Smith (2006)
Most passing touchdowns, game: 5, John Borton (October 18,1952 vs. Washington State) and twice by Bobby Hoying (October 22,1994 vs. Purdue and September 23,1995 at Pittsburgh)
Longest pass completion: 86 yards, Art Schlichter to Calvin Murray (September 22, 1979 |
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