Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes
Current season: 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes
First season	1890
Athletic director	Ross Bjork
Head coach	Ryan Day
	6th year, 70–10–0 (.840)
Home stadium	Ohio Stadium
Field	Safelite Field
Year built	1922
Stadium capacity	102,329
Stadium surface	FieldTurf
Location	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Conference	Big Ten
Division	Leaders
All-time history
All-time record	978–335–53 (.492 (as of 2024))
Postseason bowl record	31–29–0 (.510 (as of 2022))
Playoff appearances	6
Claimed national titles	9 (1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014, 2024)
Conference titles	41 (2 OAC, 39 Big Ten)
Division titles	7
Rivalries	Michigan Wolverines Penn State Nittany Lions Oregon Ducks Illinois Fighting Illini Wisconsin Badgers
Heisman winners	7
Consensus All-Americans	Template:American college football All-Americans
Current uniform
Colors	Scarlet, Grey, Black, and White
Fight song	Carmen Ohio (Alma Mater) Across the Field and Buckeye Battle Cry
Mascot	Brutus Buckeye
Marching band	The Ohio State University Marching Band
Outfitter	Nike
Website	OhioStateBuckeyes.com

The Ohio State Buckeyes football team competes as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, representing Ohio State University in the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State has played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, since 1922.

The Buckeyes are recognized by the university and NCAA as having won eight national championships, including six from the major wire-service selectors: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll. The program has also captured 41 conference championships (2 OAC and 39 Big Ten), 10 division championships, and has compiled 10 undefeated seasons, including six perfect seasons (no losses or ties). Seven players have received the Heisman Trophy (second all-time), with the program holding the distinction of having the only two-time winner (Archie Griffin) of the award.

As of 2017, the football program is valued at $1.5–2 billion, the highest valuation of any such program in the country. NCAA's first millioniare student-athlete (Quinn Ewers) became such using NIL while in the program.

Championships

National Championships

Ohio State recognizes nine national championships from NCAA-designated "consensus" selectors, including six (1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002, 2014, 2024) from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll.

The following is a list of Ohio State's claimed national championships:

Year Coach Selector Record Big Ten Record Bowl 1942 Paul Brown AP 9–1 6–1 – 1954 Woody Hayes AP 10–0 7–0 Won Rose Bowl 1957 Woody Hayes FWAA, UPI 9–1 7–0 Won Rose Bowl 1961 Woody Hayes FWAA 8–0–1 6–0 – 1968 Woody Hayes AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI 10–0 7–0 Won Rose Bowl 1970 Woody Hayes NFF 9–1 7–0 Lost Rose Bowl 2002 Jim Tressel BCS, AP, USA Today/ESPN, NFF, FWAA 14–0 8–0 Won Fiesta Bowl 2014 Urban Meyer CFP, AP, USA Today,/ESPN 14-1 8-0 Won Sugar Bowl Won CFP NCG 2024 Ryan Day CFP, AP, USA Today,/ESPN 14-2 6-2 Won CFP First Round Won Rose Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) Won Cotton Bowl (CFP semifinal) Won CF NCG National Championships 9

Ohio State also has also been awarded titles unrecognized by both the NCAA and the University in 1933, 1944, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1998

Undefeated seasons

Year Record Big Ten Record Coach 1899 9–0–1 – John B. Eckstorm 1916 7–0 4–0 John Wilce 1917 8–0–1 4–0 John Wilce 1944 9–0 6–0 Carroll Widdoes 1954 10–0 7–0 Woody Hayes 1961 8–0–1 6–0 Woody Hayes 1968 10–0 7–0 Woody Hayes 1973 10–0–1 7–0 Woody Hayes 2002 14–0 8–0 Jim Tressel 2012 12-0 8-0 Urban Meyer Undefeated Seasons 9

Conference

Ohio State joined the Big Ten in 1912; before that they were a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and won two OAC titles. Ohio State has won a championship in the Big Ten 39 times, second-most in the conference.

Year	Conference	Coach	Record	Conference Record
1906	OAC	Albert E. Herrnstein	8–1	4–0
1912	OAC	John Richards	6–3	4–0
1916	Big Ten	John Wilce	7–0	4–0
1917	Big Ten	John Wilce	8–0–1	4–0
1920	Big Ten	John Wilce	7–1	5–0
1935†	Big Ten	Francis Schmidt	7–1	5–0
1939	Big Ten	Francis Schmidt	6–2	5–1
1942	Big Ten	Paul Brown	9–1	5–1
1944	Big Ten	Carroll Widdoes	9–0	6–0
1949†	Big Ten	Wes Fesler	7–1–2	4–1–1
1954	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	10–0	7–0
1955	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	7–2	6–0
1957	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	9–1	7–0
1961	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	8–0–1	6–0
1968	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	10–0	7–0
1969†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	8–1	6–1
1970	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	9–1	7–0
1972†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	9–2	7–1
1973†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	10–0–1	7–0–1
1974†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	10–2	7–1
1975	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	11–1	8–0
1976†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	9–2–1	7–1
1977†	Big Ten	Woody Hayes	9–3	6–2
1979	Big Ten	Earle Bruce	11–1	8–0
1981†	Big Ten	Earle Bruce	9–3	6–2
1984	Big Ten	Earle Bruce	9–3	7–2
1986†	Big Ten	Earle Bruce	10–3	7–1
1993†	Big Ten	John Cooper	10–1–1	6–1–1
1996†	Big Ten	John Cooper	11–1	7–1
1998†	Big Ten	John Cooper	11–1	7–1
2002†	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	14–0	8–0
2005†	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	10–2	7–1
2006	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	12–1	8–0
2007	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	11–2	7–1
2008†	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	10–3	7–1
2009	Big Ten	Jim Tressel	11–2	7–1
2014	Big Ten	Urban Meyer	14–1	8–0
2017	Big Ten	Urban Meyer	12–2	8–1
2018	Big Ten	Urban Meyer	13–1	8–1
2019	Big Ten	Ryan Day	13–1	9–0
2020	Big Ten	Ryan Day	7–1	6–0

† Co-champions

Division

From 2011 to 2023, Big Ten had divisions to decide who would play for the conference championship. The divisions were known as Legends and Leaders from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, the divisions were realigned geographically into East and West. The divisional format ended for the 2024 season.

Year	Division	Coach	Opponent	CG Result
2012	Big Ten Leaders	Urban Meyer	N/A – Ineligible (postseason ban)
2013	Big Ten Leaders	Urban Meyer	Michigan State	L 24–34
2014	Big Ten East	Urban Meyer	Wisconsin	W 59–0
2015†	Big Ten East	Urban Meyer	N/A lost tiebreaker to Michigan State
2016†	Big Ten East	Urban Meyer	N/A lost tiebreaker to Penn State
2017	Big Ten East	Urban Meyer	Wisconsin	W 27–21
2018†	Big Ten East	Urban Meyer	Northwestern	W 45–24
2019	Big Ten East	Ryan Day	Wisconsin	W 34–21
2020	Big Ten East	Ryan Day	Northwestern	W 22–10
2021†	Big Ten East	Ryan Day	N/A lost tiebreaker to Michigan

† Co-champions

Bowl games

Main article: List of Ohio State Buckeyes bowl games

Ohio State has played in 55 bowl games in which they are 27–29–0. The Buckeyes have been to the Rose Bowl 16 times. Below are the team's most recent bowl games, since the conception of the College Football Playoff.

Season	Coach	Bowl	Opponent	Result
2014	Urban Meyer	CFP Semifinal at Sugar Bowl	Alabama	W 42–35
2014	Urban Meyer	CFP National Championship	Oregon	W 42–20
2015	Urban Meyer	Fiesta Bowl	Notre Dame	W 44–28
2016	Urban Meyer	CFP Semifinal at Fiesta Bowl	Clemson	L 0–31
2017	Urban Meyer	Cotton Bowl Classic	USC	W 24–7
2018	Urban Meyer	Rose Bowl	Washington	W 28–23
2019	Ryan Day	CFP Semifinal at Fiesta Bowl	Clemson	L 23–29
2020	Ryan Day	CFP Semifinal at Sugar Bowl	Clemson	W 49–28
2020	Ryan Day	CFP National Championship	Alabama	L 24–52
2021	Ryan Day	Rose Bowl	Utah	W 48–45
2022	Ryan Day	CFP Semifinal at Peach Bowl	Georgia	L 41–42
2023	Ryan Day	Cotton Bowl Classic	Missouri	L 3–14
2024	Ryan Day	CFP First Round	Tennessee	W 42-17
2024	Ryan Day	CFP Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl	Oregon	W 41-21
2024	Ryan Day	CFP Semifinal at Cotton Bowl	Texas	W 28-14
2024	Ryan Day	CFP National Championship	Notre Dame	W 34-23

Bowl records:

Overall	New Year's Six	College Football Playoff
31–29	24–15	7–4

^† Vacated

History

1890–1933: beginnings

Former Buckeyes Head Coach Paul Brown

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.

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 cheered loudly. Nonetheless, OSU lost to Wooster, 64–0. Wooster, physically fit for the game, showed OSU that training is critical to winning. Thus, the tradition of training continues.

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 the University of 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. Jack Ryder was Ohio State's first paid coach, earning $150 per season, and lost his first game, against Oberlin College and John Heisman, on October 15, 1892.

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.

Chic Harley attended East High in Columbus and was one of the greatest players to attend an Ohio high school. He passed, ran, received, punted, kicked and played defense. Harley came to Ohio State in 1916 and Columbus fans instantly fell in love with the Chic. Harley and the Buckeyes won the very first Big Ten championship in school history in 1916 when the Buckeyes finished 7–0. He would repeat in 1917 finshing 8–0–1, giving the Buckeyes a second outright title. In 1918, he left to be a pilot in the air force for World War I. With Harley's return in 1919, the Buckeyes would only lose one game, to Illinois. Chic Harley left OSU with a career record of 22–1–1. At the time, OSU played at the small Ohio Field and Harley brought such record crowds it became necessary to open Ohio Stadium in 1922. The stadium was built entirely on fan donations and several stadium drives around the city where Harley would often appear. In 1951, when the College Football Hall of Fame opened, Harley was inducted as an inaugural member.

Ohio State's very first rival was Kenyon College, a small liberal arts college in Gambier, roughly 50 miles to the northeast. The Buckeyes first played them in their first season in 1890 on Nov. 27, Kenyon won the first two meetings; however, Ohio State won 15 in a row and the rivalry diminished. Kenyon made it their season goal to defeat OSU. After the Bucks joined the Big Ten they stopped playing Kenyon. The all time record stands at 18-6, OSU.

Ohio Stadium Championship Banners.

1934–1950: the rise of a powerhouse

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 as the United States joined 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. Offensive coordinator Paul Bixler and Widdoes switched positions, and Bixler 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.

1951–1978: the Woody Hayes er

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".

Woody Hayes

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 was not great, but it resulted in growing criticism of Hayes and his methods, particularly his on-field fits of temper and abuse of officials.

His downfall was sudden and shocking: at the 1978 Gator Bowl, Hayes punched Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman and abused the referee in frustration after Bauman's 4th quarter interception sealed a Buckeye loss. Hayes was assessed two 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, ejected, and fired after the game.

1979–2000: the Bruce and Cooper years

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".

Archie Griffin

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 did not 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 Buckeyes' head coach are largely remembered for a litany of negative statistics associated with him: a notorious 2–10–1 record against Michigan, a 3–8 record in bowl games, a five year losing streak to Illinois, and blowing a 15 point 3rd quarter lead and losing 28-24 against the unranked Michigan State Spartans in '98 after the Buckeyes had been ranked number 1 since the preseason. 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, 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.

Jim Tressel

2001–2011: the Jim Tressel era

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 University, 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 would lead the Buckeyes to beat Michigan in Ann Arbor the following November.

2002 National Championship

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".

In December 2010 it was announced that five student-athletes on the Ohio State University football team will be suspended from the first five games of the 2011 season for NCAA violations. The punishments stem from an incident in which at least some of the Buckeye players received tattoos for their autographs, according to news reports. Other violations committed by the players included the selling of several items given to them by the University, such as championship rings.

On January 4, 2011, Ohio State completed its season with a 31-26 win over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. The Sugar Bowl win would have marked Ohio State's first bowl victory over a Southeastern Conference opponent in ten attempts, but the win was later vacated due to NCAA violations. Ohio State ended up with an 0-1 record for the 2010 season after vacating wins for NCAA violations.

On March 8, 2011 Jim Tressel was suspended for 2 games, and fined $250,000 for not informing the university and the NCAA that he had information that 5 of his players received improper benefits from a tattoo shop in downtown Columbus. Among those 5 players, including Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Solomon Thomas, Jordan Whiting, was quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The 5 players were suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season. Coach Tressel's suspension was also later increased to 5 games by the University. The NCAA filed a letter of allegations in late April, 2011 with Ohio State University alleging that Tressel lied to the NCAA in December, 2010 when he claimed to have no knowledge of the players activities with the tattoo shop. Furthermore, he is alleged to have knowingly used ineligible players during the 2010 season. On May 30, 2011 Jim Tressel resigned as head coach.

A 6 June 2011 story in Sports Illustrated reported that at least 28 players, including Rob Rose, T. J. Downing, Louis Irizarry, Chris Vance, C. J. Barnett, Dorien Bell, Jamaal Berry, Bo DeLande, Zach Domicone, Storm Klein, Etienne Sabino, John Simon, Nathan Williams, Jermale Hines, Devon Torrence, Donald Washington, Thaddeus Gibson, Jermil Martin, Lamaar Thomas, and Doug Worthington traded team memorabilia or used equipment for tattoos or other merchandise or services between 2002 and 2010. The report alleged that Tressel had violated NCAA bylaw 10.1 - unethical conduct, three times by not acting when told of the tattoo improprieties, by signing a statement saying he knew of no violations, and for withholding information on what was going on from university officials.

On July 8, 2011, Ohio State University decided to vacate all victories from the 2010 football season as self-imposed punishment for major NCAA violations. Former coach Jim Tressel will receive more than $52,000 from the university and won't have to pay a $250,000 fine for his involvement in the scandal. His status is also changed from 'Resigned' to "Retired" in keeping with his wishes to "remain a Buckeye for life." Ohio State named Luke Fickell as interim head coach following Tressel's resignation, and Fickell coached the Buckeyes to a 6-6 record in the 2011 regular season and a berth in the Gator Bowl.

Urban Meyer

2012–2018: Urban Meyer

On November 28, 2011, former University of Florida head coach and ESPN college football analyst Urban Meyer accepted the position of Buckeyes head coach. Meyer assumed head coaching responsibilities following the Buckeyes' January 2012 Gator Bowl appearance. Meyer's first season at Ohio State will not include a postseason contest, as the Buckeyes were given a one-year bowl ban on December 20, 2011. The NCAA also issued sanctions which include the loss of three scholarships each year for the next three years and three years' probation to end on December 19, 2014. Ohio State previously vacated all wins from the 2010 season, its Big Ten Conference championship and 2011 Sugar Bowl win, and forfeited the school's share of Sugar Bowl proceeds.

2015 National Championship

On November 22, 2014, the Buckeyes clinched the first-ever Big Ten East Division Championship when they defeated Indiana 42–27, earning a berth in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game, where they defeated West Division champion Wisconsin 59–0 to win the Big Ten Conference Championship and qualified for the four-team playoff to decide the National Champion. OSU defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl 42–35, on January 1, 2015, to qualify for the National Championship Game against Rose Bowl winner Oregon on January 12 (the Rose and Sugar Bowls were the designated semifinal games in 2014). OSU claimed the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship by defeating Oregon 42–20.

Later years

The 2015 season for the Buckeyes began with a 10–0 start before losing on a last-second field goal to Michigan State on November 21, ending the Buckeyes' quest to repeat as National Champions. However, the Buckeyes recovered their 2 next games with dominating wins over Michigan and then over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl to finish the season at 12–1. The 2016 season started off great with 6 straight victories, including a win over the Oklahoma Sooners, but the streak came to an end as the team lost a heart-breaker to the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes went on to win the rest of their regular-season games, finishing 11–1. They did not play in the Big Ten Championship as Penn State took the division. In a controversial call, the College Football Playoff committee gave Ohio State a spot in the Playoff. Ohio State lost in the Fiesta Bowl to the Clemson Tigers in an embarrassing 31–0 loss, ending the season 11–2. The 2017 season started out on a high note with a victory over the Indiana Hoosiers, but the next week the Buckeyes fell to the Oklahoma Sooners. The Buckeyes won the next 6 games, including a win over No. 2 Penn State in a revenge game of sorts. The Buckeyes suffered an embarrassing defeat against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Buckeyes ended the season 12–2 overall, winning the rest of their games including a Big Ten Championship victory over Wisconsin and a Cotton Bowl victory over USC.

2019-present: Ryan Day

Ryan Day

On December 4, 2018, the university announced that Meyer would retire after the 2019 Rose Bowl and be replaced by co-offensive coordinator Ryan Day. In Day's first year, the Buckeyes went a perfect 13–0, including a win over archrival Michigan by a score of 56–27 and defeating Wisconsin for the Big Ten Championship. They would earn a spot in the College Football Playoff but would lose to Clemson 29–23 in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. In Day's second year, the Big Ten season didn't start until late October due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Buckeyes would only play five out of a scheduled eight games due to several virus-related cancellations - including the Michigan game. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes would go 5–0 in the regular season, win the East Division title, and go on to beat Northwestern 22–10 in the Big Ten Championship Game, giving Day his second straight conference title. On January 1, 2021, the Buckeyes defeated Clemson 49–28 to win the Sugar Bowl in a rematch of the 2019 Fiesta Bowl to advance to the CFP National Championship Game against Alabama on January 11, which they lost 52–24. On September 11, 2021, he suffered his first regular season loss as head coach when the Oregon Ducks defeated the Buckeyes 35–28 in the 2nd game of the season. Ohio State's streak of defeating Michigan also came to an end on November 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, when Ohio State lost 42–27. They then won the 2022 Rose Bowl against Utah 48–45 on January 1, 2022.

In 2022, Day led the team to an 11–0 record and was ranked #2 going into the Michigan game, which #3 Michigan would win 45–23 on November 26, 2022 (outscoring the Buckeyes 28–3 in the second half), in Ohio State's first loss to Michigan in Columbus since 2000, and first back–to–back losses to Michigan since 1999–2000. The Buckeyes would go on to play the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs in the 2022 national semifinal game on New Year's Eve, taking a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter, but ultimately seeing their season come to an end with a 42–41 loss. Kicker Noah Ruggles' would-be game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide left just as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Day, 2023.

2025 Ohio State National Championship

In 2023, Day led the team to an 11–0 record and was ranked #2 going into the Michigan game for the second consecutive year. This time, Michigan won by six points 30–24 on November 25, 2023. This marked the first three game losing streak to Michigan since 1995–97. The Buckeyes were then invited to the 2023 Cotton Bowl, where they lost to the Missouri Tigers 14–3 on December 29, 2023.

In 2024, Day led the team to an 10–1 record leading into the Michigan game, but would lose to the Wolverines for the fourth straight year by a 13–10 score on November 30. However, with the expanded 12 team field, the Buckeyes would reach the College Football Playoff (CFP), and would beat Tennessee 42–17 in the opening round on December 21, Oregon 41–21 in the Rose Bowl (a CFP quarterfinal) on January 1, 2025, Texas 28–14 in the Cotton Bowl (a CFP semifinal) on January 10, 2025, and Notre Dame 34–23 in the 2024 CFP National Championship Game on January 20, 2025 to win the title, which is the ninth recognized championship in school history.

Rivalries

Michigan

Main article: Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry

"The Game of the Century" 2006.

Ohio State's first game with Michigan dates to 1897. Michigan leads the series 62–51–6 through the 2024 season. This rivalry is considered to be Buckeyes' biggest rivalry, and is known as "The Game". All the appearances of the letter M in Ohio Stadium are crossed out with red tape. Halftime shows during OSU games often feature something bad happening to the Michigan logo. The biggest game of the Rivalry came in 2006 when #1 Ohio State squared against #2 Michigan at Ohio Stadium, Columbus Ohio. The Buckeyes went on to win against Michigan 42-39, and claim their stake of the Big Ten title that year.

The only break in over a century came in 2020 due to a COVID-19 outbreak on Michigan's football team during the COVID-19 pandemic. The game has been played at the end of the regular season since 1935 (except for 1942, 1986, 1998, and 2020). Since 1918, the game's site has alternated between Ann Arbor, Michigan (in odd-numbered years) and Columbus, Ohio (in even-numbered years), and has been played in Ohio Stadium since 1922 and Michigan Stadium since 1927. Through 2010, Ohio State and Michigan have decided the Big Ten Conference championship between themselves on 22 different occasions, and affected the determination of the conference title an additional 27 times.

For many years, the game aired on ABC, usually in the 12:00 p.m. Eastern time slot. For most of the 1990s and early 2000s, ESPN College GameDay would originate that weekend from the game site. Beginning with the 2017 season, the game airs on Fox as a result of that network acquiring the Big Ten's tier-1 rights in the most recent broadcasting contract, and GameDay competitor Big Noon Kickoff originates from the game site. From 2021 to 2023, ESPN and Fox's pre-game shows both originated at the same time from the game site. It is often the most viewed college football game of the regular season.

Illinois

Main article: Illibuck Trophy

The series versus Illinois began in 1902 and became the longest continuous series in 2002 when the schools played in their 89th consecutive year. In 2007, Ohio State was given their only defeat of the regular season by the Illini. Through the 2019 season, Ohio State leads the series 68–30–4.

Penn State

Main article: Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry

When Penn State was added to the Big Ten 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. Ohio State leads the series 25–14 through the 2024 season.

Other rivals

Other Big Ten Conference of the Buckeyes include the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Oregon Ducks. Ohio State leads both the Badgers, and the Ducks in wins and national titles since the sports inception in 1876.

Home venues

• Recreation Park (Columbus) (1890–1897)
• Ohio Field (1898–1921)
• Ohio Stadium (1922–present)

Traditions

Ohio State football is rich in traditions. The following are football traditions in chronological 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 is a wooden turtle.

• 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 defeat 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 126 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.

• 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

Brutus Buckeye

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.

• Brutus Buckeye

Beginning in 1965, Brutus Buckeye has appeared at all Ohio State football games as the live mascot of the Buckeyes. In 2007 he was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame and is now one of the most recognized mascots in the United States.

• 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 before the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals games, as well as during Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Columbus Blue Jackets games.

• Buckeye Leaves

Since 1967, 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. In the 1970s, the decals were approximately the size of a Silver Dollar until the 1979 Season. Most believe that this practice began in 1968 when The Buckeyes switched to their present Silver Helmet design since the decals have become identified with that helmet.

• 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.

• 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, to the student section.

• 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, then they go through their warmup routine.

Marching band

• Main article: The Ohio State University Marching Band

The Marching Band, often referred to 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

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).

Retired numbers

No.	Player	Pos.	Tenure	No. ret.	Ref
22	Les Horvath	RB	1940–42, 1944	2000
27	Eddie George	RB	1992–95	2001
31	Vic Janowicz	HB	1949–51	2000
40	Howard Cassady	HB	1952–55	2000
45	Archie Griffin	RB	1972–75	1999
47	Chic Harley	HB, QB, E, K	1916–17, 1919	2004
99	Bill Willis	DL	1942–44	2007

Honored numbers

Although these numbers are cited as "retired" on Ohio State website, they are considered enshrined rather than retired, and are available to be worn. All previously retired jersey numbers remain retired.

No.	Player	Pos.	Tenure	Honored	Ref.
10	Troy Smith	QB	2003–06	2014

Block O Jersey

In 2020, the NCAA approved the use of the No. 0. In order to further pay tribute to Bill Willis, Coach Day decided to start a new tradition and choose the player who will wear the number each season.

Season	Name	Pos.	Class	Previous No.
2020	Jonathon Cooper	DE	Senior (RS)	18
2021	Thayer Munford	OT	Senior (RS)	75*
2022	Kamryn Babb	WR	Senior (RS)	1
2023	Xavier Johnson	WR	Senior (RS)	10
2024	Cody Simon	LB	Senior (RS)	30

Note: Due to number restrictions, Thayer Munford could not wear number 0. Instead, he wore his regular number and honored the award with a patch.

Honored coaches

Two head coaches have also been honored by the Buckeyes, with banners at Ohio Stadium:

• Paul Brown (1941–43) - led OSU to their first National Championship in 1942
• Woody Hayes (1951–78) - led OSU to school records of 205 wins, five National Championships (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970), and 13 Big Ten Championships

Award winners

Heisman Trophy winners

Ohio State players have won the Heisman Trophy seven times, which ties Notre Dame and Oklahoma for the second most awards for any school, behind only USC with eight. Archie Griffin is the only two-time recipient in the history of the award.

Season	Name	Pos.	Class	Points
1944	Les Horvath	RB	Senior	412
1950	Vic Janowicz	RB	Junior	633
1955	Howard "Hopalong" Cassady	RB	Senior	2219
1974	Archie Griffin	RB	Junior	1920
1975	Archie Griffin (2)	RB	Senior	1800
1995	Eddie George	RB	Senior	1460
2006	Troy Smith	QB	Senior	2540

Lombardi Award

Ohio State players have won the Lombardi Award six times:

• 1970: Jim Stillwagon
• 1973: John Hicks
• 1987: Chris Spielman
• 1995: Orlando Pace
• 1996: Orlando Pace
• 2005: A. J. Hawk

Maxwell Award

Four Ohio State players have won the Maxwell Award:

• 1955: Howard Cassady
• 1961: Bob Ferguson
• 1975: Archie Griffin
• 1995: Eddie George

Outland Trophy

Four Ohio State players have won the Outland Trophy:

• 1956: Jim Parker
• 1970: Jim Stillwagon
• 1973: John Hicks
• 1996: Orlando Pace

Walter Camp Award

Ohio State players have won the Walter Camp Award four times:

• 1974: Archie Griffin
• 1975: Archie Griffin
• 1995: Eddie George
• 2006: Troy Smith

Fred Biletnikoff Award

Ohio State Players have won the Fred Biletnikoff Award twice:

• 1995: Terry Glenn
• 2023: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Ohio State Players have won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy award twice:

• 2006: James Laurinaitis
• 2019: Chase Young

Dick Butkus Award

Ohio State players have won the Dick Butkus Award twice:

• 1997: Andy Katzenmoyer
• 2007: James Laurinaitis

Jim Thorpe Award

Ohio State players have won the Jim Thorpe Award twice:

• 1998: Antoine Winfield
• 2008: Malcolm Jenkins

Rimington Trophy

Ohio State players have won the Dave Rimington Trophy three times:

• 2001: LeCharles Bentley
• 2016: Pat Elflein
• 2017: Billy Price

Chicago Tribune Silver Football

Ohio State players have won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award 23 times:

• 1930: Wes Fesler
• 1941: Jack Graf
• 1944: Les Horvath
• 1945: Ollie Cline
• 1950: Vic Janowicz
• 1955: Howard "Hopalong" Cassady
• 1973: Archie Griffin
• 1974: Archie Griffin
• 1975: Cornelius Greene
• 1981: Art Schlichter
• 1984: Keith Byars
• 1995: Eddie George
• 1996: Orlando Pace
• 1998: Joe Germaine
• 2006: Troy Smith
• 2012: Braxton Miller
• 2013: Braxton Miller
• 2015: Ezekiel Elliott
• 2016: J. T. Barrett
• 2018: Dwayne Haskins
• 2019: Chase Young
• 2020: Justin Fields
• 2023: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Graham–George Offensive Player of the Year

Ohio State players have won the Graham–George Offensive Player of the Year 13 times:

• 1995: Eddie George
• 1996: Orlando Pace
• 1998: Joe Germaine
• 2006: Troy Smith
• 2012: Braxton Miller
• 2013: Braxton Miller (2)
• 2015: Ezekiel Elliott
• 2018: Dwayne Haskins
• 2019: Justin Fields
• 2020: Justin Fields (2)
• 2021: C. J. Stroud
• 2022: C. J. Stroud (2)
• 2023: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Nagurski–Woodson Defensive Player of the Year

Ohio State players have won the Nagurski–Woodson Defensive Player of the Year 11 times:

• 1992: Steve Tovar
• 1993: Dan Wilkinson
• 1996: Shawn Springs
• 2002: Mike Doss
• 2003: Will Smith
• 2005: A. J. Hawk
• 2007: James Laurinaitis
• 2008: James Laurinaitis (2)
• 2012: John Simon
• 2014: Joey Bosa
• 2019: Chase Young

Other

• Eddie George received the Doak Walker Award in 1995
• B. J. Sander received the Ray Guy Award in 2003
• Mike Nugent received the Lou Groza Award in 2004
• Troy Smith received the Davey O'Brien Award in 2006
• James Laurinaitis received the Lott Trophy in 2008
• Ezekiel Elliott received the James E. Sullivan Award in 2014
• Chase Young received the Chuck Bednarik Award and Ted Hendricks Award in 2019.

All-American and All-Conference honors

Through 2017, 199 Buckeyes have been named first team All-Americans since 1914. Of those 85 have been consensus picks. 388 have been named to the All-Big Ten team, and 16 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.

List of All-Americans

All records per OSU Athletics.^[when?]

1910s

• 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)

1920s

• 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)

1930s

• 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)

1940s

• 1940:Don Scott (C)
• 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)

1950s

• 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)

1960s

• 1960: Bob Ferguson (FB)
• 1961: Bob Ferguson (FB)
• 1964: Jim Davidson (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)

1970s

• 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), Van DeCree (DE), Archie Griffin (TB)
• 1974: Van Ness DeCree (DE), Kurt Schumacher (OT), Steve Myers (C), Pete Cusick (DT), Archie Griffin (TB), Neal Colzie (CB), Tom Skladany (P)
• 1975: Ted Smith (OG), Archie Griffin (TB), Tim Fox (S), Tom Skladany (P)
• 1976: Bob Brudzinski (DE), Chris Ward (OT), Tom Skladany (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)

1980s

• 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)

1990s

• 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 (OG), Antoine Winfield (CB)
• 1999: Na'il Diggs (LB)

2000s

• 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 (DB), Will Smith (DE)
• 2004: Mike Nugent (PK), A. J. Hawk (LB)
• 2005: A. J. Hawk (LB), Donte Whitner (SS), Nick Mangold (C)
• 2006: Troy Smith (QB), James Laurinaitis (LB), Quinn Pitcock (DL), Ted Ginn Jr. (PR)
• 2007: James Laurinaitis (LB), Kirk Barton (OT), Vernon Gholston (DE), Malcolm Jenkins (DB)
• 2008: James Laurinaitis (LB), Malcolm Jenkins (CB)
• 2009: Kurt Coleman (DB)

2010s

• 2010: Mike Brewster (C), Chimdi Chekwa (DB)
• 2012: Johnathan Hankins (DT), Bradley Roby (CB)
• 2013: Ryan Shazier (LB), Jack Mewhort (T)
• 2014: Joey Bosa (DE). Michael Bennett (DL)
• 2015: Vonn Bell (SAF), Joey Bosa (DE), Taylor Decker (OT), Adolphus Washington (DT)
• 2016: Pat Elflein (C), Malik Hooker (SAF), Billy Price (G), Curtis Samuel (HB)
• 2017: Billy Price (C), Denzel Ward (CB) Nick Bosa (DE)
• 2019: Chase Young (DE), Jeff Okudah (CB), J. K. Dobbins (AP), Wyatt Davis (G)

2020s

• 2020: Wyatt Davis (G), Shaun Wade (CB)
• 2021: Thayer Munford (OT), Chris Olave (WR), Nicholas Petit-Frere (OT), Garrett Wilson (WR)
• 2022: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR), Paris Johnson Jr. (OT),
• 2023: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

Team MVP

1930: Wes Fesler – (E) – Big Ten MVP

1931: Robert Haubrich – (OT)

1932: Lew Hinchman – (HB)

1933: Mickey Vuchinich – (FB)

1934: Gomer Jones – (C)

1935: Gomer Jones – (C)

1936: Ralph Wolf – (C)

1937: Ralph Wolf – (C)

1938: Jim Langhurst – (FB)

1939: Steve Andrako – (C)

1940: Don Scott – (QB)

1941: Jack Graf – (FB) – Big Ten MVP

1942: Chuck Csuri – (OT)

1943: Gordon Appleby – (C)

1944: Les Horvath – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

1945: Ollie Cline – (FB) – Big Ten MVP

1946: Cecil Souders – (E)

1947: Dave Templeton – (G)

1948: Joe Whisler – (FB)

1949: Jack Lininger – (C)

1950: Vic Janowicz – (HB) – Big Ten MVP

1951: Vic Janowicz – (HB)

1952: Fred Bruney – (HB)

1953: George Jacoby – (T)

1954: Howard Cassady – (HB)

1955: Howard Cassady – (HB) – Big Ten MVP

1956: Jim Parker – (G)

1957: Bill Jobko – (G)

1958: Jim Houston – (E)

1959: Jim Houston – (E)

1960: Tom Matte – (QB)

1961: Bob Ferguson – (FB)

1962: Billy Armstrong – (C)

1963: Matt Snell – (FB)

1964: Ed Orazen – (DL)

1965: Doug Van Horn – (OG)

1966: Ray Pryor – (C)

1967: Dirk Worden – (LB)

1968: Mark Stier – (LB)

1969: Jim Otis – (FB)

1970: Jim Stillwagon – (DL)

1971: Tom DeLeone – (C)

1972: George Hasenohrl – (DL)

1973: Archie Griffin – (RB) – Big Ten MVP

1974: Archie Griffin – (RB) – Big Ten MVP

1975: Cornelius Greene – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

1976: Bob Brudzinski – (DE)

1977: Dave Adkins – (LB)

1978: Tom Cousineau – (LB)

1979: Jim Laughlin – (LB)

1980: Calvin Murray – (TB)

1981: Art Schlichter – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

1982: Tim Spencer – (RB)

1983: John Frank – (TE)

1984: Keith Byars – (RB) – Big Ten MVP

1985: Jim Karsatos – (QB)

1986: Cris Carter – (WR)

1987: Chris Spielman – (LB)

1988: Jeff Uhlenhake – (C)

1989: Derek Isaman – (LB)

1990: Jeff Graham – (WR)

1991: Carlos Snow – (TB)

1992: Kirk Herbstreit – (QB)

1993: Raymont Harris – (TB)

1994: Korey Stringer – (OT)

1995: Eddie George – (TB) – Big Ten MVP

1996: Orlando Pace – (OT) – Big Ten MVP

1997: Antoine Winfield – (DB)

1998: Joe Germaine – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

1999: Ahmed Plummer – (DB)

2000: Derek Combs – (TB)

2001: Jonathan Wells – (TB)

2002: Craig Krenzel – (QB) / Chris Gamble – (WR/DB)

2003: Michael Jenkins – (WR)

2004: Mike Nugent – (PK)

2005: A. J. Hawk – (LB)

2006: Troy Smith – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

2007: Chris Wells – (TB)

2008: Chris Wells – (TB)

2009: Kurt Coleman – (SS)

2010: Dane Sanzenbacher – (WR)

2011: Daniel Herron – (TB)

2012: Braxton Miller – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

2013: Braxton Miller – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

2014: Evan Spencer – (WR)

2015: Ezekiel Elliott – (RB) – Big Ten MVP

2016: Malik Hooker – (SAF) / Pat Elflein – (C)

2017: Sam Hubbard – (DE)

2018: Dwayne Haskins – (QB)

2019: Justin Fields – (QB) / Chase Young – (DE) – Big Ten MVP

2020: Justin Fields – (QB) – Big Ten MVP

2021: C. J. Stroud – (QB)

2022: C. J. Stroud – (QB)

2023: Marvin Harrison Jr. - (WR) – Big Ten MVP

2024: Will Howard - (QB)

All-Century Team

See also: Ohio State Football All-Century Team

Paul "Bear" Bryant Award

• 2002: Jim Tressel

AFCA Coach of the Year

• 1944: Carroll Widdoes
• 1957: Woody Hayes
• 1979: Earle Bruce
• 2002: Jim Tressel

Academic awards and achievements

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College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America

Academic All-American Hall of Fame

• 1992: Randy Gradishar

Academic All-American Player of the Year

• 2003: Craig Krenzel (QB)

Academic All-Americans

1952: John Borton (QB) 1954: Dick Hilnski (T) 1958: Bob White (FB) 1961: Tom Perdue (End) 1965: Bill Ridder (MG) 1966: Dave Foley (OT) 1967: Dave Foley (OT) 1968: Dave Foley (OT) 1969: Bill Urbanik (DT) 1971: Rick Simon (OT) 1973: Randy Gradishar (LB) 1974: Brian Baschnagel (RB) 1975: Brian Baschnagel (RB) 1976: Pete Johnson (FB) 1977: Jeff Logan (RB) 1980: Marcus Marek (LB) 1982: Joe Smith (OT) and John Frank (TE) 1983: John Frank (TE) and Dave Crecelius (DT) 1984: Dave Crecelius (DT), Mike Lanese (WR), and Anthony Tiuliani (DT) 1985: Mike Lanese (WR)

1987: Joe Staysniak (OT) 1989: Joe Staysniak (OT) 1990: Greg Smith (DL) 1992: Len Hartman (OG) and Greg Smith (DL) 1995: Greg Bellisari (LB) 1996: Greg Bellisari (LB) 1998: Jerry Rudzinski (LB) 1999: Ahmed Plummer (CB) 2002: Craig Krenzel (QB) 2003: Craig Krenzel (QB) 2006: Anthony Gonzalez (WR) and Stan White, Jr. (FB) 2007: Brian Robiskie (WR) 2008: Brian Robiskie (WR) 2014: Jacoby Boren (C) 2015: Jacoby Boren (C) and Jack Willoughby (K) 2016: Sam Hubbard (DL) 2017: Jordan Fuller (SAF) 2018: Jordan Fuller (SAF) 2019: Jordan Fuller (SAF)

National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame

William V. Campbell Trophy

• 1995 Bobby Hoying
• 2003 Craig Krenzel

National Scholar-Athlete Awards

• 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
• 2003 Craig Krenzel
• 2008 Brian Robiskie
• 2015 Jacoby Boren
• 2019 Jordan Fuller

Hall of Fame inductees

College Football Hall of Fame

Main article: College Football Hall of Fame

Name	Position	Year Inducted
Howard Jones	Head Coach	1951
Chic Harley	HB/QB	1951
Wes Fesler	End	1954
John Wilce	Head Coach	1954
Les Horvath	HB/QB	1969
Bill Willis	DT	1971
Francis Schmidt	Head Coach	1971
Ernie Godfrey	Asst. Coach	1972
Gaylord Stinchcomb	HB/QB	1973
Jim Parker	OT	1974
Gust Zarnas	OG	1975
Vic Janowicz	HB	1976
Jim Daniell	OT	1977
Gomer Jones	C	1978
Howard Cassady	HB	1979
Woody Hayes	Head Coach	1983
Warren Amling	OG	1984
Archie Griffin	RB	1986
Doyt Perry	Asst. Coach	1988
Sid Gillman	Asst. Coach	1989
Aurealius Thomas	OG	1989
Jim Stillwagon	DT	1991
Bo Schembechler	Asst. Coach	1993
Bob Fergueson	FB	1996
Randy Gradishar	LB	1998
John Hicks	OT	2001
Earle Bruce	Head Coach	2002
Jack Tatum	S	2004
Jim Houston	DE	2005
Rex Kern	QB	2007
John Cooper	Head Coach	2008
Chris Spielman	LB	2009
Eddie George	RB	2011
Orlando Pace	OT	2013
Jim Tressel	Head Coach	2015
Tom Cousineau	LB	2016
Keith Byars	HB	2020
Rudy Hubbard	Asst. Coach	2021
Mike Doss	S	2022
Chris Ward	OT	2024

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Main article: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Name	Position	Year Inducted
Paul Brown	Coach	1967
Jim Parker	OT	1973
Lou Groza	K	1974
Dante Lavelli	End	1975
Bill Willis	DT	1977
Sid Gillman	Coach	1983
Paul Warfield	WR	1983
Dick LeBeau	CB	2010
Cris Carter	WR	2013
Orlando Pace	OT	2016
Randy Gradishar	LB	2024

Media

Further information: Ohio State Sports Network

2015 Ohio State National Championship

The Buckeyes are covered on the radio by Ohio State Sports Network, operated by Learfield IMG College. WBNS/Columbus (1460 AM) and sister station WBNS-FM/Columbus (97.1 FM) serve as flagship stations, with more than 60 affiliates in Ohio, and two additional affiliates in West Virginia. Paul Keels is the play-by-play announcer, while former Buckeye left guard Jim Lachey serves as color analyst. They are joined by sideline reporter Matt Andrews and Skip Mosic, host of the network pregame and halftime shows.

WBNS-TV (channel 10) in Columbus is the long-standing "official TV home" of the Buckeyes, airing the official coach's show Game Time with Ryan Day (simulcast statewide on Bally Sports Ohio).

In addition, Ohio State football games are broadcast by their student radio organization, Scarlet and Gray Sports Radio on OhioStateSports.net

Future conference opponents

Schedule announced October 5, 2023

2025	2026	2027	2028
at Illinois	at Indiana	at Michigan*	at Illinois
at Michigan*	at Iowa	at Minnesota	at Maryland
at Purdue	at Nebraska	at Northwestern	at Penn State
at Washington	at USC	at Oregon	at UCLA
at Wisconsin	Illinois	at Rutgers	Michigan*
Minnesota	Maryland	Michigan State	Minnesota
Penn State	Michigan*	Nebraska	Rutgers
Rutgers	Northwestern	Purdue	Washington
UCLA	Oregon	USC	Wisconsin

(*) denotes protected matchup

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of September 28, 2023.

2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2031	2032	2033	2034	2035	2036
vs Texas (8/30)	vs Ball State (9/5)	vs Bowling Green (9/4)	vs Buffalo (9/2)	vs Nevada (9/1)	at Georgia (9/14)	vs Georgia (8/30)				Boston College (9/15)	at Boston College (9/13)
vs Grambling (9/6)	at Texas (9/12)	vs New Hampshire	at Alabama (9/9)	vs Charlotte (9/8)
vs Ohio (9/13)	Kent State (9/19)	vs Alabama (9/18)	vs Northern Illinois (9/16)

• Ohio State has no opponents scheduled for 2034 yet.

Fan base

In 2011, a study conducted by Nate Silver of the New York Times, which he described as "not quite scientific," determined that Ohio State had the most fans of any college football team.

Helmets/Logos

Image gallery

Rivalries

• Main article: Michigan – Ohio State rivalry

An early Ohio State-Michigan game in Michigan Stadium

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 2009 Ohio State's record against the Illini is 62-30-4. In 2007, Ohio State was given their only defeat of the regular 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.

With Nebraska's entry to the Big Ten and the establishment of division play in football, Ohio State and Illinois will again play every season in the Leaders Division beginning in 2011. Michigan is the Buckeyes' permanent cross-division rival from the Legends Division.

Coaches

The Buckeyes have had 24 coaches in their 121-year history. Woody Hayes is the coach who has won the most national championships at five. Paul Brown and Jim Tressel also each have one for seven total.

Current coaching staff

Name	Position
Ryan Day	Head Coach
Chip Kelly	Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
Carlos Locklyn	Running Backs
Larry Johnson	Associate Head Coach / Defensive Line
Jim Knowles	Defensive Coordinator
Greg Mattison	Co-Defensive Coordinator
James Laurinaitis	Linebackers
Tim Walton	Assistant Head Coach / Secondary
Matt Gurrieri	Safties
Brian Hartline	Wide Recievers
Greg Studrawa	Offensive Line
Keenan Bailey	Tight Ends
Justin Frye	Run game coordinator / offensive line

Support staff

Name	Position
Ross Bjork	General Manager - Football Operations
Mickey Marotti	Associate Athletic Direcor - Football Sports Performance
Tim Drevno	Quaility Control - Offense
Gunner Daniel	Program Assistant - Special Teams
Brent Zdebski	Quality Control - Defense
Sam McGrath	Quality Control - Defense
Sean Binckes	Graduate Assistant - Offense
Mike Sollenne	Graduate Assistant - Offense
Michael Hunter, Jr.	Graduate Assistant - Defense
LaAllan Clark	Graduate Assistant - Defense

External Links

• Official team site
• Ohio State Buckeyes football article at Wikipedia