The Ohio State University football program is unquestionably one of the most distinguished programs in college football history. They own the highest win percentage in the sport since 1904. Some have come to associate the university with its Big Ten dominance followed by big game futility, but despite those recent setbacks, the university has had it’s share of memorable events. There are almost too many to name, but the most notable five are:
2003 National Championship win over the University of Miami: Not only was this the first National Championship for Ohio State since 1968, but this was also a gigantic upset victory over one of the most talented football teams of all time. The Hurricanes were near the end of their invincible run in the early 2000s, but this team had no lacking in impressive pro talent. Notable members of this 2002 squad included Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Sean Taylor, DJ Williams, Kellen Winslow, Jonathan Vilma, Willis McGahee, and Vince Wilfork. This team was coming off an undefeated season and was the defending champions. On the other hand, Ohio State had a very unsexy, but unblemished season in 2002 that landed them in the championship game. This game had all the makings of a mismatch and for Coach Tressel in his second year to win a national championship, seemed unbelievable and too good to be true. 2001 Halftime Speech/Pledge. Who can forget fairly unknown and new head football coach Jim Tressel making a pledge that his players will “most especially make the school proud in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Guarantee or not, based on OSU’s abysmal results against their top rival in the last decade, this announcement was a bold declaration to say the least. It seemed odd and made many OSU faithful nervous at first but in the end, this day laid the foundation for an unexpected decade of excellence and dominance over hated rival Michigan. Woody Hayes punching Clemson’s Charlie Bauman in 1978 Gator Bowl. Although hazy in most people’s minds, there is no question that Woody Hayes is still the most notable and successful coach in Ohio State’s illustrious history. This famous punch at the end of a play near the sidelines marked one of the most famous sideline outbursts and single-handedly ended his 28-year coaching career at Ohio State moments later. This signified the toughness and fire of Ohio State’s figurehead whose old school philosophies of “three yards and a cloud of dust” some argue are still characteristic of Ohio State decades later. 2006: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Michigan. This game may be the most anticipated matchup between the two rival schools. At that point, there was no question they were the two best teams, which was backed by the two teams being ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for the first time in The Game’s illustrious history. Ohio State boasted eventual Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and an uncharacteristically high-powered Ohio State offense, and a dynamic defense led by James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins and Jay Richardson. Michigan was possessed a potent offensive attack of their own led by Chad Henne, Steve Breaston, Mike Hart, and Mario Manningham. Several notables including LaMar Woodley, David Harris and Leon Hall led the fierce and ultra aggressive defense that had manhandled opponents all season. The buildup to this game was unbelievable, and Ohio State was able to step up to the plate and come up with a victory at home in thrilling fashion. This was Troy Smith’s final game and freshman Chris “Beanie” Wells breakout game. The changing of the guard was taking place and at this point. It can be argued that Ohio State was at the height of their sustained run of winning big games on the big stage since Tressel took over in Columbus. This would all come to an end in resounding fashion weeks later against Florida, which began the beginning of a long stretch of struggle in big games for the Buckeyes. Tie= Streak breaking, tone setting wins for Ohio State after long droughts. Ohio State’s 1996 win over Michigan in the middle of Michigan’s dominance in the 1990s chapter of the rivalry, and a huge Rose Bowl win against Jake Plummer’s Arizona State team. Quarterback Joe Germaine emerged as a record breaking signal caller for OSU and was poised enough to lead the Buckeyes to two huge wins to ease the tension on Coach John Cooper and the Ohio State faithful for the time being in dramatic fashion.
Tie=Ohio State’s win over Oregon in 2010. After a long streak of big stage losses and increasing conversation over Ohio State’s inability to perform outside of their conference, Ohio State was able to convincingly defeat a high powered and well respected Pac-10 champion in the Rose Bowl where OSU has had limited success over the years. This win temporarily silenced the debate over not only Ohio State’s capabilities as a consistently high rated program, but also the previously disappointing play of one of the most hyped recruits in OSU history, sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor.
Tie= Ohio State’s win over Arkansas in 2011. After a turbulent post season that brought about controversy over the off the field conduct of five key Ohio state players including star QB Terrelle Pryor, and lead RB Dan Herron, the Buckeyes broke their long, highly publicized and painful streak against the SEC conference at nine. This win provided some vindication to the much maligned Buckeyes and their conference against the proud SEC that has made no secret of their dominance over the “boys from up north”. Now armed with two solid BCS victories against good teams from great conferences, OSU can now work on legitimately silencing the critics of their big game difficulties in the late 2000s, especially against the SEC.
Alt= Archie Griffin back-to-back Heisman Trophies (1974-75). Not only is Archie Griffin one of the best OSU players of all time, and a legend in the program, he is also the only player to ever win the Heisman Trophy more than once. His tenure at OSU included one Rose Bowl victory and at least a share of four Big Ten Titles. He is the all-time leading rusher at OSU. His collection of four years at Ohio State rivals any other player’s in the school’s illustrious history.
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