1985 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1985 Ohio State Buckeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 11 14 9–3 5–3 Earle Bruce 7th Glen Mason 6th Gary Blackney 1st Jim Karsatos Keith Byars Mike Lanese Pepper Johnson Ohio Stadium Florida Citrus Bowl champion Florida Citrus Bowl W 10–7 vs. BYU The 1985 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 1985 Big Ten season. In their seventh year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record (5–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 315 to 205. Against ranked opponents, they defeated No. 1 Iowa, lost to No. 6 Michigan, and defeated No. 9 BYU in the 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 14 in the final AP poll.1985 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1985-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 163.8 rushing yards and 184.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 147.2 rushing yards and 180.3 passing yards per game.1985 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1985.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jim Karsatos (2,115 passing yards, 62.2% completion percentage), running back John Wooldridge (728 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per carry), and wide receiver Cris Carter (53 receptions for 879 yards). Linebackers Pepper Johnson and Chris Spielman received first-team All-America honors from the UPI and NEA, respectively.Bo Jackson, Sooner Casillas Head 60th UPI All-America Team Tyrone Daily Herald December 12, 1985 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5310858/bo_jackson_sooner_casillas_head_60th/NEA 1985 All-America football team Lead (SD) Daily Call December 6, 1985 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5310372/nea_1985_allamerica_football_team/ Six received first-team honors on the 1985 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Johnson (AP/UPI); Spielman (AP/UPI); Carter (AP/UPI); center Bob Maggs (AP/UPI); offensive tackle Rory Graves (UPI); and punter Tom Tupa (UPI).Soph White, Station, Unanimous Choices Toledo Blade (AP story) December 3, 1985 33 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19851203&id=og1PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0wIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6768,3394959Long nips Everett for UPI first team The Indianapolis Star November 26, 1985 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9509578/long_nips_everett_for_upi_first_team/Long Nips Everett For Spot On All-Big Ten First Team Logansport Pharos-Tribune November 26, 1985 10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/13843275/?terms=long%2Bwhite%2Bharmon%2Bmallory%2BUPI The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1985 AP Eastern September 14 8:00 p.m. w y 9 Pittsburgh Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH WTBS 10–7 88,518 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-buckeyes-nip-pitt/170219903/ The Times Recorder Buckeyes nip Pitt September 15, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com September 21 3:30 p.m. w y y 7 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO 36–13 47,022 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CMAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4068%2C4944299 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press CU no match for Ohio State September 22, 1985 4B September 28 1:30 p.m. w y 5 Washington State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 48–32 89,954 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-bucks-romp-4832/170577805/ The Times Recorder Bucks romp 48–32 September 29, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 2:00 p.m. l y 5 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 28–31 76,343 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-late-illini-fg-tips-ohi/170621258/ The Miami Herald Late Illini FG tips Ohio St. October 6, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 1:30 p.m. w 15 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 48–7 89,846 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ironton-tribune-woolridge-making-osu/170601165/ The Ironton Tribune Woolridge making OSU forget Byars October 13, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 12:00 p.m. w 11 Purdue Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH CBS 41–27 89,888 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-byars-leads-osu-4127/170619594/ The Plain Dealer Byars leads OSU, 41–27 October 20, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 3:30 p.m. w y 9 Minnesota 20 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN CBS 23–19 64,455 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-backs-injuries/170620149/ The Akron Beacon Journal Backs' injuries make Ohio State's victory a costly one October 27, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 2:30 p.m. w 8 Iowa 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH CBS 22–13 90,467 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-no-1-hawkeyes-stunn/170621411/ The Daily Nonpareil No. 1 Hawkeyes stunned by inspired OSU, 22–13 November 3, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 12:30 p.m. w y 4 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL WTBS 35–17 26,477 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-karsatos-has-big-passing-day/170600651/ The Tribune Karsatos has big passing day as Bucks win 8th November 10, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 1:30 p.m. l 3 Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 7–12 89,873 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-wisconsin-upsets/170602220/ Wisconsin State Journal Wisconsin upsets Ohio State November 17, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 1:30 p.m. l y 12 Michigan 6 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry CBS 17–27 106,102 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wolverines-roll-over-buckey/170621542/ Minneapolis Star & Tribune Wolverines roll over Buckeyes November 24, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.comhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8_tS2Vw13FcC&dat=19851123&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search December 28 1:00 p.m. w y y 17 BYU 9 Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl NBC 10–7 50,920 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-ohio-state-defens/170251170/ The Charlotte Observer Ohio State defense peels Brigham Young in Citrus December 29, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 0 0 0 7 Ohio St 0 3 0 7 September 14 Ohio Stadium Colorado Ohio St 7 15 0 14 Colorado 7 0 0 6 September 21 Folsom Field Washington State Washington St 14 3 3 12 Ohio St 7 28 3 10 September 28 Ohio Stadium Illinois Ohio St 0 14 14 0 Illinois 14 0 7 10 October 5 Memorial Stadium Indiana Indiana 0 7 0 0 Ohio St 7 28 10 3 October 12 Ohio Stadium Purdue Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (3–2) at #11 Ohio State Buckeyes (4–1) October 19, 1985 12:00 p.m. EDT Purdue 0 10 10 7 Ohio St 14 3 7 17 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,888 Overcast, 75 F C Otho Kortz CBS Box Score First quarter OSU – George Cooper 4-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Rich Spangler kick), 8:14. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:31. OSU – Mike Lanese 12-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Rich Spangler kick), 3:11. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:56. Second quarter OSU – Rich Spangler 39-yard field goal, 13:32. Ohio St 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:40. PUR – Rodney Carter 15-yard pass from Jim Everett (Jonathan Briggs kick), 3:02. Ohio St 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 3:42. PUR – Jonathan Briggs 22-yard field goal, 0:01. Ohio St 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 1:54. Third quarter OSU – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Rich Spangler kick), 9:37. Ohio St 24–10. Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 4:34. PUR – Ray Wallace 8-yard pass from Jim Everett (Jonathan Briggs kick), 8:12. Ohio St 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:21. PUR – Jonathan Briggs 21-yard field goal, 2:25. Ohio St 24–20. Drive: 14 plays, 45 yards, 4:36. Fourth quarter OSU – Rich Spangler 30-yard field goal, 12:46. Ohio St 27–20. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 4:39. PUR – James Medlock 2-yard run (Jonathan Briggs kick), 8:35. Tie 27–27. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:11. OSU – Keith Byars 1-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 4:41. Ohio St 34–27. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:50. OSU – Keith Byars 9-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 2:10. Ohio St 41–27. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 2:02. Top passers PUR – Jim Everett – 35/55, 497 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT OSU – Jim Karsatos – 14/26, 174 yards, 3 TD Top rushers PUR – Ray Wallace – 3 rushes, 35 yards OSU – Keith Byars – 23 rushes, 106 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PUR – Rodney Carter – 15 receptions, 190 yards, TD OSU – Cris Carter – 4 receptions, 96 yards, TD right Game highlights at No. 20 Minnesota Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #9 Ohio State Buckeyes (5–1) at #20 Minnesota Golden Gophers (5–1) October 26, 1985 2:30 p.m. Ohio St 0 10 0 13 Minnesota 3 9 7 0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 64,455 Indoors (dome) Jim Kemmerling Box Score First quarter MINN – Chip Lohmiller 36-yard field goal, 8:34. Minnesota 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 4:51. Second quarter MINN – Chip Lohmiller 50-yard field goal, 14:56. Minnesota 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 5:41. OSU – Keith Byars 2-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 9:37. Ohio St 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:19. OSU – Rich Spangler 38-yard field goal, 4:26. Ohio St 10–6. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:16. MINN – Ricky Foggie 7-yard run (run failed), 0:05. Minnesota 12–10. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:15. Third quarter MINN – Ricky Foggie 1-yard run (Chip Lohmiller kick), 6:15. Minnesota 19–10. Drive: 18 plays, 88 yards, 8:45. Fourth quarter OSU – Ed Taggart 1-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Rich Spangler kick), 14:31. Minnesota 19–17. Drive: 16 plays, 90 yards, 6:44. OSU – Vince Workman 16-yard run (pass failed), 10:36. Ohio St 23–19. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 2:55. Top passers OSU – Jim Karsatos – 11/17, 115 yards, TD, INT MINN – Ricky Foggie – 14/20, 147 yards, INT Top rushers OSU – Keith Byars – 18 rushes, 67 yards, TD MINN – Ricky Foggie – 18 rushes, 57 yards, 2 TD Top receivers OSU – Mike Lanese – 2 receptions, 36 yards MINN – Melvin Anderson – 7 receptions, 74 yards No. 1 Iowa No. 1 Hawkeyes 0 7 0 6 No. 8 Buckeyes 5 10 0 7 November 2 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio Brent Musburger CBS Source: yes 1 11:03 OSU Rich Spangler 28-yard field goal OSU 3-0 1 0:02 OSU Safety, Sonny Gordan blocked punt out of end zone OSU 5-0 2 9:06 OSU John Woolridge 57-yard run (Spangler kick) OSU 12-0 2 5:00 OSU Rich Spangler 26-yard field goal OSU 15-0 2 0:28 Iowa Ronnie Harmon 3-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick) OSU 15-7 4 11:39 OSU Vince Workman 4-yard run (Spangler kick) OSU 22-7 4 8:19 Iowa David Hudson 2-yard run (Kevin Harmon run failed) OSU 22-13 yes 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Iowa Ohio St First downs 21 16 Rushing yards 186 233 Passing 17–34–4 10–17–2 Passing yards 169 151 Total Offense 345 370 Fumbles Lost 2–1 1–0 Punts-Average 4–32.5 4–45.3 Penalties 3–16 7–57 Team Category Player StatisticsIowa Passing Chuck Long 19–26, 169 yards, 4 INT Rushing Ronnie Harmon 26 carries, 120 yards, TD Receiving Ronnie Harmon 5 receptions, 19 yardsOhio State Passing Jim Karsatos 10–17, 151 yards, 2 INT Rushing George Cooper 17 carries, 104 yards Receiving Cris Carter 3 receptions, 65 yards Northwestern Ohio St 14 14 7 0 Northwestern 0 0 7 10 November 9 Dyche Stadium Wisconsin Wisconsin 3 3 6 0 Ohio St 0 7 0 0 November 16 Ohio Stadium at No. 6 Michigan Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #12 Ohio State Buckeyes at #6 Michigan Wolverines November 23 Ohio State 0 10 0 7 Michigan 3 7 10 7 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan 106,102 Overcast, 40 F C CBS Box Score First quarter MICH – Pat Moons 34-yard field goal, 1:59. Michigan 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards. Second quarter OSU – Rich Spangler 48-yard field goal, 11:40. Tie 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards. OSU – Keith Byars 2-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 8:41. Ohio St 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards. MICH – Gerald White 4-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Pat Moons kick), 2:20. Tie 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards. Third quarter MICH – Pat Moons 38-yard field goal, 10:28. Michigan 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards. MICH – Eric Kattus 5-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Pat Moons kick), 2:56. Michigan 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards. Fourth quarter OSU – Cris Carter 36-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Rich Spangler kick), 10:10. Michigan 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards. MICH – John Kolesar 77-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Pat Moons kick), 9:19. Michigan 27–17. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards. Top passers OSU – Jim Karsatos – 17/31, 179 yards, TD, INT MICH – Jim Harbaugh – 16/19, 230 yards, 3 TD Top rushers OSU – Keith Byars – 12 rushes, 35 yards, TD MICH – Gerald White – 29 rushes, 110 yards Top receivers OSU – Cris Carter – 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD MICH – John Kolesar – 4 receptions, 109 yards vs No. 9 BYU (Citrus Bowl) No. 17 Buckeyes 0 3 7 0 No. 9 Cougars 0 7 0 0 December 28 Citrus Bowl 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl Personnel Roster 1985 Ohio State Buckeyes y offensive_players 41 Sr Keith Byars RB y Jim Carroll TE 2 So Cris Carter WR y 44 So George Cooper RB Kevin Delaney RB Jim Gilmore OL Rory Graves OL Nate Harris WR Bob Grosbeck RB John Hutchison TE 16 Jr Jim Karsatos QB y Larry Kotterman OL 1 Mike Lanese WR Bob Maggs OL Scott Powell QB Doug Smith WR Ed Taggart TE Jeff Uhlenhake OL y Barry Walker RB 25 John Woolridge RB 42 Vince Workman RB y Sean Bell DB Henry Brown DL 7 Sonny Gordon DB Steve Hill DB Ray Holliman DL Sr Pepper Johnson LB y Larry Kolic LB Eric Kumerow LB Scott Leach LB Byron Lee LB 95 Daryll Lee DL Fred Ridder DL 29 Greg Rogan DB 36 So Chris Spielman LB y 12 Terry White DB William White DB 10 Rich Spangler K 19 So Tom Tupa P QB y Earle Bruce Gary Blackney (DC) Bill Conley (ILB) Steve Devine (OL) Randy Hart (DL) Chuck Heater (DB) Glen Mason (OC) Fred Pagac (LB) Jim Tressel (QB) Leonard Willis Depth chart I-Formation 3-4 Yes Yes No 16 Jim Karsatos 19 Tom Tupa 25 John Wooldridge 42 Vince Workman 28 Roman Bates 44 George Cooper 43 Barry Walker 20 Bob Grosbeck 2 Cris Carter 49 Doug Smith SE 1 Mike Lanese 26 Nate Harris FL 80 Ed Taggart 81 John Hutchison 75 Rory Graves 77 Ron Paulsen 97 Jeff Uhlenhake 65 Tom Glancey 71 Bob Maggs 50 Tim Odom 56 Jim Gilmore 51 Greg Zackeroff 72 Larry Kotterman 69 Jay Shaffer 14 Eric Kumerow 57 John Sullivan OLB 36 Chris Spielman 61 Derek Isaman 98 Pepper Johnson 30 Mike Kee 82 Byron Lee 8 Scott Leach OLB 12 Terry White 20 Dwight Smith 8 Sonny Gordon 24 Mike Wood ROV 37 William White 47 Ray Jackson 29 Greg Rogan 11 Steve Hill 90 Fred Ridder 55 Ray Holliman 33 Larry Kolic (LB/NG) 67 Mike Sullivan 95 Darryl Lee 94 Henry Brown 10 Rich Spangler 19 Tom Tupa 41 Keith Byars (foot injury) 85 85 No 1986 Ohio State Football Media Guide Awards and honors Pepper Johnson, UPI First Team All-America, Football News First Team All-America 1986 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Keith Byars 1 10 Running back Philadelphia Eagles Pepper Johnson 2 51 Linebacker New York Giants Byron Lee 7 176 Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles Larry Kolic 7 193 Linebacker Miami Dolphins References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Citrus Bowl champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football