1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes Logo 1898-1978.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4 4 11–1 8–0 Woody Hayes 25th Alex Gibbs 1st George Hill 5th Cornelius Greene Brian Baschnagel Tim Fox Archie Griffin Ken Kuhn Ohio Stadium Big Ten champion Rose Bowl L 10–23 vs. UCLA The 1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1975 Big Ten season. In their 25th year under head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled an 11–1 record (8–0 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 374 to 79. Against ranked opponents during the regular season, they defeated No. 11 Michigan State, No. 7 Penn State, No. 13 UCLA, and No. 4 Michigan. The Buckeyes concluded the season in a rematch with UCLA, losing by a 23–10 score in the 1976 Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes, who had been ranked No. 1 prior to the Rose Bowl, dropped to No. 4 in the final AP and UPI polls.1975 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 11, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1975-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 290.0 rushing yards and 83.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 139.8 rushing yards and 90.0 passing yards per game.1975 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 11, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1975.html Running back Archie Griffin rushed for 1,357 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and won the Heisman Trophy for the second consecutive year, the only repeat winner in Heisman history. Quarterback Cornelius Greene tallied 976 passing yards and 473 rushing yards and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the most valuable player in the Big Ten. Fullback Pete Johnson tallied 989 rushing yards and led the team in scoring with 156 points on 26 touchdowns.1975 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 11, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1975.html Three Ohio State players won consensus All-America honors: Griffin; offensive guard Ted Smith; and defensive back Tim Fox.Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 March 18, 2017 3, 11 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/Awards.pdf Punter Tom Skladany won first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.Leroy Named For Outland https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11096673/leroy_named_for_outland/ May 19, 2017 Panama City News-Herald Associated Press December 4, 1975 20 Newspapers.com Eleven Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1975 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Ohio State, Michigan dominate all-Big Ten selections Daily Illini December 3, 1975 http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=DIL19751203.2.90Buckeyes dominate All-Big Ten squad The Bryan Times (UPI story) November 25, 1975 8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19751125&id=37lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VVIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6092,4754350&hl=en The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1975 AP Eastern September 13 4:00 p.m. w y 3 Michigan State 11 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 21–0 80,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-buckeyes-win-touted-b/181205975/ Rapid City Journal Buckeyes win touted Big Ten opener 21–0 September 14, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 1:30 p.m. w y 3 Penn State 7 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry 17–9 88,093 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-buckeyes-put-dow/181135070/ Wisconsin State Journal Buckeyes put down Eastern threat September 21, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 1:30 p.m. w y 2 North Carolina Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 32–7 87,750 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-johnson-scores-record/139616830/ Dayton Daily News Johnson scores record 5 September 28, 1975 January 26, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 9:00 p.m. w y y 2 UCLA 13 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 41–20 55,482 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-powerful-buckeyes-too-much/181206048/ The Columbian Powerful Buckeyes too much for UCLA October 5, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 1:30 p.m. w 1 Iowa Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 49–0 87,826 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-bucks-humble-hawks-4/181206190/ Omaha World-Herald Bucks humble Hawks, 49 to 0 October 12, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 1:30 p.m. w 1 Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 56–0 87,820 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lima-news-seven-buckeyes-score-tds-a/181206296/ The Lima News Seven Buckeyes score TDs as OSU blasts Badgers 56–0 October 19, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com October 25 2:30 p.m. w y 1 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 35–6 69,405 https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-buckeyes-crush-pur/181206411/ Staten Island Advance Buckeyes crush Purdue for 7th straight victory October 26, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 1:30 p.m. w 1 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 24–14 87,835 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-hoosiers-give-bu/181206499/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Hoosiers give Bucks a scare November 2, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 2:00 p.m. w y 1 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 40–3 67,571 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-buckeyes-jump-on/181206632/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Buckeyes jump on errors in walloping Illini, 40–3 November 9, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 1:30 p.m. w 1 Minnesota Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 38–6 87,817 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-ohio-state-romps-over/181206711/ The Times Recorder Ohio State romps over Minnesota 38–6 November 16, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 1:00 p.m. w y 1 Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry ABC 21–14 105,543 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-buckeyes-storm-back/181206790/ The Montana Standard Buckeyes storm back to foil Michigan, 21–14 November 23, 1975 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1976 5:00 p.m. l y y 1 UCLA 11 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA NBC 10–23 105,464 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-fired-up-bruins-believe-in/181206909/ The Register Fired-up Bruins believe in miracles January 2, 1976 September 16, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Michigan State 1975 Michigan State Spartans football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0) at Michigan State Spartans September 13 Ohio St 0 7 7 7 Michigan St 0 0 0 0 Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan 80,383 Partly sunny • Mid 50s • Wind W–NW 10 mph km/h knot to 20 mph km/h knot ABC Ohio St Greene3/7, 85 Yds, TD, INT Griffin29 Rush, 108 Yds Willis2 Rec, 82 Yds, TD Michigan St Baggett5/9, 67 Yds, 3 INT Jackson20 Rush, 58 Yds Fortney3 Rec, 35 Yds OSU MSU collapsed 2 1:16 Ohio St 8 57 RushTD Johnson 6 good Klaban run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 3 6:52 Ohio St 6 76 RecTD Willis Grenne 64 good Klaban run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 4 14:56 Ohio St 4 30 RushTD Johnson 9 good Klaban run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 0 21 0 Penn State Penn St 3 3 3 0 Ohio St 10 0 0 7 September 20 Ohio Stadium 88,093 yes 1 OHST Johnson 1 yard run (Klaban kick) Ohio St 7–0 1 PSU Bahr 55 yard field goal Ohio St 7–3 1 OHST Klaban 45 yard field goal Ohio St 10–3 2 PSU Bahr 31 yard field goal Ohio St 10–6 3 PSU Bahr 25 yard field goal Ohio St 10–9 4 5:05 OHST Johnson 11 yard run (Klaban kick) Ohio St 17–9 yes "246-Pound Fullback Keys Buckeye Triumph." Palm Beach Post. 1975 Sept 21. UCLA Ohio State 7 21 10 3 UCLA 7 0 7 6 October 5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 55,482 Keith Jackson, Bud Wilkinson ABC yes 1 UCLA Sarpy 13-yard pass from Sciarra (White kick) UCLA 7-0 1 OSU Greene 2-yard run (Klaban kick) Tied 7-7 2 OSU Johnson 3-yard run (Klaban kick) OSU 14-7 2 OSU Johnson 2-yard run (Klaban kick) OSU 21-7 2 OSU Greene 17-yard run (Klaban kick) OSU 28-7 3 OSU A. Griffin 17-yard run (Klaban kick) OSU 35-7 3 OSU Klaban 34-yard field goal OSU 38-7 3 UCLA Ayers 2-yard run (White kick) OSU 38-14 4 UCLA Ayers 1-yard run (kick failed) OSU 38-20 4 OSU Klaban 42-yard field goal OSU 41-20 yes "Griffin Gets 100 Yards in 41-20 Buckeye Win." Palm Beach Post. 1975 Oct 5. Purdue Ohio State 14 7 7 7 Purdue 3 3 0 0 October 25 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN yes 1 OSU Pete Johnson 60-yard run (Tom Klaban kick) OSU 7-0 1 PUR Steve Schmidt 22-yard field goal OSU 7-3 1 OSU Pete Johnson 3-yard run (Tom Klaban kick) OSU 14-3 2 PUR Steve Schmidt 27-yard field goal OSU 14-6 2 OSU Brian Baschnagel 22-yard pass from Cornelius Greene (Tom Klaban kick) OSU 21-6 3 OSU Lenny Willis 41-yard pass from Cornelius Green (Tom Klaban kick) OSU 28-6 4 OSU Cornelius Greene 28-yard run (Tom Klaban kick) OSU 35-6 yes Archie Griffin broke Cornell's Ed Marinaro NCAA career rushing record with a 23-yard run up the middle in the fourth quarter. "Griffin tops mark; Illinois stops Sparts." Eugene Register-Guard. 1975 Oct 26. Minnesota Minnesota 0 0 6 0 Ohio St 3 14 0 21 November 15 Ohio Stadium 1:30 p.m. EST 87,817 yes Q1 OHST Klaban 29 yard field goal OHST 3–0 Q2 OHST Greene 14 yard run (Klaban kick) OHST 10–0 Q2 OHST Griffin 19 yard run (Klaban kick) OHST 17–0 Q3 MINN Barlow 5 yard pass from Dungy (pass failed) OHST 17–6 Q4 OHST Johnson 8 yard run (Klaban kick) OHST 24–6 Q4 OHST Greene 31 yard run (Klaban kick) OHST 31–6 Q4 OHST Baschnagel 21 yard run (Klaban kick) OHST 38–6 yes Palm Beach Post. 1975 Nov 16. Retrieved 2016-Jul-30. Michigan 1975 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines November 22, 1975 Ohio St 7 0 0 14 Michigan 0 7 0 7 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan 105,543 Clear, 36 F C ABC Keith Jackson, Bud Wilkinson First quarter OSU – Pete Johnson 7-yard pass from Cornelius Greene (Tom Klaban kick), 4:43. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards. Second quarter MICH – Jim Smith 11-yard pass from Gordon Bell (Bob Wood kick), 0:24. Tie 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards. Fourth quarter MICH – Rick Leach 1-yard run (Bob Wood kick), 7:11. Michigan 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards. OSU – Pete Johnson 1-yard run (Tom Klaban kick), 3:18. Tie 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards. OSU – Pete Johnson 3-yard run (Tom Klaban kick), 2:19. Ohio St 21–14. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards. Top passers OSU – Cornelius Greene – 7/16, 84 yards, TD, 2 INT MICH – Rick Leach – 7/20, 102 yards, 3 INT Top rushers OSU – Pete Johnson – 18 rushes, 52 yards, 2 TD MICH – Gordon Bell – 21 rushes, 124 yards Top receivers OSU – Lenny Willis – 2 receptions, 32 yards MICH – Jim Smith – 3 receptions, 31 yards, TD Personnel Coaching staff Woody Hayes - Head Coach (25th year) George Chaump - Offense (8th year) George Hill - Defensive Coordinator (5th year) Charles Clausen - Defense (5th year) Alex Gibbs - Offensive Coordinator/ Offensive Line (1st year) Mickey Jackson - (2nd year) John Mummey - Quarterbacks (7th year) Ralph Staub - (6th year) Dick Walker - Defensive Backs (7th year) Jeff Kaplan - 'brain coach' & counselor (3rd year) Roster 1975 Ohio State Buckeyes y Cornelius Greene QB 45 Sr Archie Griffin RB y Pete Johnson FB 8 Fr Rod Gerald QB y Tim Fox DB Ray Griffin DB Tom Klaban K Woody Hayes Depth chart I-Formation 5-2 Yes No Yes Cornelius Greene Rod Gerald Jim Pacenta Archie Griffin Jeff Logan Woody Roach Pete Johnson Lou Williott Lenny Willis Herman Jones SE Brian Baschnagel Jimmy Harrell WB Larry Kain Jimmy Moore Greg Storer Chris Ward Lou Pietrini Ted Smith Jim Savoca Rick Applegate Ron Ayers Doug Porter Bill Lukens Scott Dannelley Garth Cox Ed Thompson Dave Adkins LB Ken Kuhn Tom Cousineau LB Tim Fox Duncan Griffin Ray Griffin Joe Allegro Craig Cassady Max Midlam Bruce Ruhl Lenny Mills Bob Brudzinski Kelton Dansler Nick Buonamici Mark Sullivan Tyrone Harris Aaron Brown Mark Lang Eddie Beamon Byron Cato Pat Curto Tom Klaban Tom Skladany Mike Keeton Lenny Willis 85 85 No 1976 Ohio State Football Media Guide Awards and honors Archie Griffin, Heisman Trophyhttp://www.heisman.com/winners/hsmn-winners.html Heisman.com - Heisman Trophy 2007-04-16 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070411031301/http://www.heisman.com/winners/hsmn-winners.html 2007-04-11 1976 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Tim Fox 1 21 Defensive back New England Patriots Archie Griffin 1 24 Running back Cincinnati Bengals Brian Baschnagel 3 66 Wide receiver Chicago Bears Leonard Willis 4 118 Wide receiver Minnesota Vikings Ken Kuhn 7 205 Linebacker Cincinnati Bengals Craig Cassady 8 213 Defensive back New Orleans Saints Tom Klaban 10 287 Kicker Cincinnati Bengals Cornelius Greene 11 317 Quarterback Dallas Cowboys Larry Kain 13 375 Tight end Pittsburgh Steelers Pat Curto 16 441 Linebacker Atlanta Falcons Scott Dannelley 17 482 Guard Cincinnati Bengals References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football