Buckeye Dominance: The History of the Ohio State Buckeye Football Program

The Ohio State Buckeyes college football team is one of the greatest college teams ever to play the game. Their storied history is marvelous from its conception in 1889 to its modern day dominance.

Ohio State began their legendary football program in 1889 and played their first game in 1891. This game, an away game, took place at Ohio Wesleyan University and resulted in a win. For the next few years, there were a multitude of coaches at Ohio State. They all failed to truly bring the Buckeyes into dominance before resigning. Soon, Ohio State became known as the "graveyard of coaches."

All this occurred before the great Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes took over in 1951. Beating out many respectable coaches, Coach Hayes enforced a rough regimen, unlike the laid-back one set up by previous coach Wes Fesler. His first season at Ohio State was a horrific one, with Hayes posting a record of four wins, three losses, and two ties. Hayes's T-formation threw off many key players, especially Vic Janowicz. The year before, Janowicz, the team quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy and was the best player in the nation. At the end of the season, Hayes reconsidered his work over the season and decided that next season, he could improve the team.

In fact, the 1952 season was a much better one. Hayes posted a record of six wins and three losses, ending the season in a 27-7 victory over the team's archrivals, Michigan. During the postseason, the underdog Buckeyes upset Illinois, 27-7.

Coach Hayes dedicated his time to his team, both on the field and off. He made sure that each player graduated from school. In fact, he encouraged his players to attempt more difficult degrees, such as engineering, instead of the minimum effort courses. Hayes understood that many of his players would leave football after graduating. For this reason, Ohio State became both an academic and athletic powerhouse.

However, Woody Hayes's infamous temper became known throughout the nation. His tantrums were called "megatrons" and the extremely large-scale ones were called "hundred-megatrons." Hayes was known to rip up his shirt and beat himself when he was angry. These "megatrons" occurred often in his years as head coach.

After many, many winning seasons, Hayes's job was on the line as he posted his first losing season in seven years in 1966. That year, the Michigan Wolverines dominated the Buckeyes 17-3 at Ohio Stadium. But, the cards were changing in 1967 when the recruiting class was described as Hayes's best ever. Rex Kern, Jim Stillwagon, Phil Strickland, Bruce Jankowski, Jan White, and Jack Tatum were all part of that recruiting class. Back then, the NCAA prohibited freshmen from playing in varsity games. Therefore, the new freshmen were ineligible to play during the season until they were sophomores.

In 1968, with the eligibility of the former freshmen players, or "Super Sophs" as they were called, the Buckeyes ended up ranked number one in the nation, as they prepared to face O.J. Simpson and USC in the Rose Bowl. O.J. Simpson was the Heisman Trophy winner that year and led a talented USC team. The Buckeyes, definite underdogs, were pumped up and ready to play. After a shocking 27-16 upset, the Buckeyes ended their season perfectly, with Kern being the MVP of the game. O.J. Simpson responded, "You're the best ball team in the country, and don't let anybody tell you that you aren't. Congratulations." This team was definitely Hayes's best yet.

In 1969, the Buckeyes had endured eight games without a loss as they prepared to face Michigan. Even though the Buckeyes were ranked much higher in the polls, this game would be a very important one. Bo Schembechler, one of Hayes's former students, coached this Michigan team. This game sparked a huge rivalry between the two teams, one that still continues today. With a win, the Buckeyes would return to the Rose Bowl and have a chance to become the national champions. However, Coach Schembechler coached his team wonderfully and upset the Buckeyes 24-12.

With the team hungry for revenge, the Buckeyes entered the 1970 Ohio State-Michigan game ranked number one, with Michigan right behind them at number two. The game ended 20-9 with the Buckeyes on top. The Buckeyes, however, lost the Rose Bowl to Stanford, led by Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett. This was only one of two defeats for the "Super Sophomores." It would also be their last game played at the college level.

In 1972, Archie Griffin was looking for a college. Griffin, a highly valued running back, considered attending Northwestern and Michigan before deciding to play at Ohio State. This year, the NCAA established a new rule that allowed freshmen to play in varsity games, allowing Griffin to play. However, the first time he touched the ball in a game, he fumbled. Determined to make up for his sloppy play, Griffin entered the next game prepared to prove himself. Griffin ended the game with 239 rushing yards and broke the all-time Ohio State single-game rushing record. Hayes was ecstatic about Griffin's play and was quoted, "What is it that makes players that good? I don't know."

Archie Griffin ended his college career as the only college player ever to win two Heisman Trophies. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, but never succeeded in the NFL. However, he left a lasting legacy at Ohio State for his amazing rushing talents.

In 1978, after 28 years as the head coach of the Buckeyes, Woody Hayes was officially dismissed from his job as head coach. His former assistant Earle Bruce took over the job. On March 12, 1987, Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes passed away.

Earle Bruce's years as head coach were filled with young stars with great talents. Chris Spielman was one of those players. Spielman was an enthusiastic linebacker who made 546 tackles as a Buckeye and was known to "own" the defensive huddle. He was a great leader and was looked up to by many players. In 1988, Spielman entered the NFL as a Detroit Lion. He retired in 1999, after a neck injury.

During Bruce's last game as the Buckeye head coach, the team sported headbands with "EARLE" emblazoned on it. The team defeated Michigan and then turned down a chance to play in the Sun Bowl. This game truly showed the players' dedication to the game and their coach.

After Earle Bruce was fired in 1987, John Cooper became the new coach for the 1988 season. Cooper's time as coach was remember by his horrific records, posting a 3-9 record in bowl games and a 2-10-1 record against their rivals, Michigan.

Eddie George was a key player as he joined the team in 1992. Over his first two years, George rushed only 79 times and scored eight touchdowns. He really started to break out in 1994 when he rushed for 1,442 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. While he could have entered the NFL draft early, George decided to stay for his senior year. Good thing, too. George finished his college career with 3,668 total yards, placing second in Ohio State rushing history only behind Archie Griffin. He capped off his amazing career with a Heisman Trophy. In 1996, he was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the NFL draft. In 2003, he went to Tennessee and led the Titans to a Super Bowl, where they eventually lost to the St. Louis Rams. He left the NFL in 2005 with a total of 10,441 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns.

Coach Cooper left in 2001 because of his inability to perform well in important games. He never truly understood the history of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

After a long search, Jim Tressel became the 22^nd coach at Ohio State. In 2002, with the team led by Craig Krenzel and Maurice Clarett, the Buckeyes defeated the Miami Hurricanes in double overtime to claim the national championship. In 2006, the Buckeyes returned to the BCS National Championship and lost to the Florida Gators 41-14. The 2006 team included stars such as Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzales, Antonio Pittman, Quinn Pitcock, and James Laurinaitis.

The "Scarlet and Gray" are one of the most storied and glorious teams ever to play the college game. The team will continue to create Heisman Trophy winners and national championships.

And the rest, as they say, is history.