1984 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1984 Ohio State Buckeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 12 13 9–3 7–2 Earle Bruce 6th Glen Mason 5th Bob Tucker 3rd Keith Byars Pepper Johnson Mark Krerowicz Kirk Lowdermilk Mike Tomczak Ohio Stadium Big Ten champion Rose Bowl L 17–20 vs. USC The 1984 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 1984 Big Ten season. In their sixth year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record (7–2 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 374 to 180. They concluded the season with a loss to USC in the 1985 Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 13 in the final AP poll.1984 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1984-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 231.0 rushing yards and 169.3 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 131.8 rushing yards and 173.9 passing yards per game.1984 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1984.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Tomczak (1,662 passing yards, 58.5% completion percentage), running back Keith Byars (1,655 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 24 touchdowns), and wide receiver Mike Lanese (38 receptions for 585 yards). Byars and offensive guard Jim Lachey were consensus first-team picks on the 1984 All-America team.Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 March 18, 2017 3, 13 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf Six Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Byars (AP/UPI); Lachey (AP/UPI); center Kirk Lowdermilk (AP/UPI); linebacker Pepper Johnson (AP/UPI); punter Tom Tupa (AP/UPI); and tackle Mark Krerowicz (UPI).Byars Unanimous All-Big Ten Choice The Blade (Toledo) November 28, 1984 36 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19841128&id=IW4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6808,3576009&hl=en1984 All-Big Ten Football team UPI.com November 19, 1984 http://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/11/19/1984-All-Big-Ten-Football-team/1750469688400/ The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1984 AP Eastern September 8 12:00 p.m. w y 6 Oregon State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH SV 22–14 88,072 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-byars-paces-buckeye-surge/170141916/ The Tennessean Byars paces Buckeye surge September 9, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 15 3:30 p.m. w y 9 Washington State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH SV 44–0 89,297 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-buckeyes-blank-washington-s/170140058/ News Journal Buckeyes blank Washington State 44–0 September 16, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 1:30 p.m. w 5 Iowa 14 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH SV 45–26 89,733 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-byars-does-it-al/170171952/ Wisconsin State Journal Byars does it all in leading OSU past Iowa September 23, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 8:00 p.m. w y 3 Minnesota The Metrodome Minneapolis, MN 35–22 47,543 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forum-byars-ohio-state-dump-gophers/170172069/ The Forum Byars, Ohio State dump Gophers 35–22 September 30, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 2:30 p.m. l y 2 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 23–28 66,261 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-boilermakers-stun-ohio/170172208/ The Roanoke Times & World-News Boilermakers stun Ohio State October 7, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 3:30 p.m. w 8 Illinois Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck CBS, WOSU 45–38 89,937 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-byars-paces-comeback/170172318/ The Newark Advocate Byars paces comeback as Buckeyes top Illini October 14, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 1:00 p.m. w y 8 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 23–20 75,123 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-buckeyes-stay-o/170172480/ The Akron Beacon Journal Buckeyes stay on path to Rose Bowl October 21, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 12:00 p.m. l y 6 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI CBS 14–16 78,606 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lima-news-harrison-steals-byars-hei/170172605/ The Lima News Harrison steals Byars' Heisman show October 28, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 1:30 p.m. w 16 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 50–7 89,366 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ironton-tribune-ohio-state-crushes-w/170172702/ The Ironton Tribune Ohio State crushes winless Indiana, 50–7 November 4, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 2:30 p.m. w y 13 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 52–3 31,087 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-bucks-belt-northwestern/170172825/ The Plain Dealer Bucks belt Northwestern November 11, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 17 12:00 p.m. w 11 Michigan Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry CBS 21–6 90,286 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-ohio-state-stops-u/170172998/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Ohio State stops U-M to secure Rose berth November 18, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1985 5:00 p.m. l y y 6 USC 18 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl NBC 17–20 102,594 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-another-thorn-i/170138359/ The Akron Beacon Journal Another thorn in Ohio State's pride January 2, 1985 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Oregon State Oregon State 7 7 0 0 Ohio State 0 3 12 7 September 8 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 12:00 PM EDT 88,297 Washington State Washington State 0 0 0 0 Ohio State 3 20 0 21 September 15 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 3:30 PM EDT 88,297 Iowa Iowa 3 17 6 0 Ohio State 10 21 7 7 September 22 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 3:30 PM EDT 89,733 Minnesota Ohio State 7 14 7 7 Minnesota 0 7 7 8 September 29 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis 8:00 PM EDT 47,543 Purdue 1984 Purdue Boilermakers football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #2 Ohio State Buckeyes at Purdue Boilermakers October 6, 1984 1:31 p.m. Ohio St 7 3 7 6 Purdue 7 0 7 14 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 66,261 Mostly cloudy, 74 F C Box Score First quarter PUR – Steve Griffin 20-yard pass from Jim Everett (Mike Rendina kick), 14:00. Purdue 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:00. OSU – Keith Byars 20-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 4:09. Tie 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:50. Second quarter OSU – Rich Spangler 34-yard field goal, 0:02. Ohio St 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 0:26. Third quarter OSU – Keith Byars 14-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 13:43. Ohio St 17–7. Drive: 3 plays, 37 yards, 1:20. PUR – Steve Griffin 65-yard pass from Jim Everett (Mike Rendina kick), Ohio St 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 88 yards, 2:54. Fourth quarter PUR – Bruce King 4-yard pass from Jim Everett (Mike Rendina kick), 14:03. Purdue 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:43. PUR – Rod Woodson 55-yard interception return (Mike Rendina kick), 10:03. Purdue 28–17. OSU – Cris Carter 5-yard pass from Mike Tomczak (run failed), 2:35. Purdue 28–23. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 0:52. Top passers OSU – Mike Tomczak – 20/41, 280 yards, TD, 2 INT PUR – Jim Everett – 17/23, 257 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers OSU – Keith Byars – 30 rushes, 191 yards, 2 TD PUR – Ray Wallace – 20 rushes, 89 yards Top receivers OSU – Keith Byars – 9 receptions, 102 yards PUR – Steve Griffin – 6 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TD Illinois Illinois 17 7 11 3 Ohio State 0 21 14 10 October 13 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 3:30 p.m. EDT 3:28 89,937 Mostly sunny; 61 F; wind 5 – 6 mph on SE Otho Kortz yes Q1 7:40 ILL Grant 3 yard pass from Trudeau (White kick) ILL 7-0 Q1 2:58 ILL White 26 yard field goal ILL 10-0 Q1 1:14 ILL Williams 10 yard pass from Trudeau (White kick) ILL 17-0 Q2 14:47 ILL Boso 8 yard pass from Trudeau (White kick) ILL 24-0 Q2 4:13 OHST Byars 16 yard run (Spangler kick) ILL 24-7 Q2 3:23 OHST Carter 33 yard pass from Tomczak ILL 24-14 Q2 :23 OHST Byars 4 yard run (Spangler kick) ILL 24-21 Q3 13:40 OHST Byars 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 28-24 Q3 10:42 ILL White 46 yard field goal OHST 28-27 Q3 8:57 OHST Byars 67 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 35-27 Q3 1:09 ILL Wilson 9 yard pass from Trudeau (Trudeau run) Tie 35-35 Q4 10:21 OHST Spangler 46 yard field goal OHST 38-35 Q4 3:18 ILL White 16 yard field goal Tie 38-38 Q4 :36 OHST Byars 3 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 45-38 yes Keith Byars 39 Rush, 274 Yds Cris Carter 7 Rec, 134 Yds Michigan State Ohio State 3 6 7 7 Michigan State 0 0 6 14 October 20 Spartan Stadium 1:00 p.m. EDT 2:45 75,133 Cloudy; 55 F; wind 12 – 17 mph on S John Nealon yes Q1 2:14 OHST Spangler 36 yard field goal OHST 3–0 Q2 2:23 OHST Spangler 42 yard field goal OHST 6–0 Q2 0:10 OHST Spangler 30 yard field goal OHST 9–0 Q3 14:13 OHST Byars 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 16–0 Q3 9:03 MSU Morse 2 yard pass from Yarema (kick failed) OHST 16–6 Q4 11:40 MSU Ingram 75 yard pass from Yarema (pass failed) OHST 16–12 Q4 4:44 OHST Tomczak 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 23–12 Q4 4:32 MSU Jackson 93 yard kickoff return (Rolle pass from Yarema) OHST 23–20 yes Lanese 7 Rec, 116 Yds Wisconsin Ohio State 0 0 7 7 Wisconsin 0 10 0 6 October 27 Camp Randall Stadium 12 Noon EDT 3:22 78,606 Tom Quinn Indiana Indiana 0 0 0 7 Ohio State 10 23 10 7 November 3 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 1:30 EST 2:41 89,366 Jerry Hendrickson yes Q1 10:21 OHST Spangler 36 yard field goal OHST 3–0 Q1 9:24 OHST White 20 yard interception return (Spangler kick) OHST 10–0 Q2 11:04 OHST Byars 3 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 17–0 Q2 5:13 OHST Carter 44 yard pass from Tomczak (Spangler kick) OHST 24-0 Q2 1:25 OHST Walker 3 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 31–0 Q2 :25 OHST Safety, Razmic blocked punt through end zone by Richardson OHST 33–0 Q3 9:31 OHST Woolridge 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 40–0 Q3 3:42 OHST Spangler 27 yard field goal OHST 43–0 Q4 9:07 IU Brown 1 yard run (Rogers kick) OHST 43–7 Q4 1:24 OHST Delaney 2 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 50–7 yes Northwestern Ohio State 0 21 14 17 Northwestern 3 0 0 0 November 10 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, IL 2:30 PM EST 2:52 31,087 Overcast Michigan Michigan 0 3 3 0 Ohio St 7 0 14 0 November 17 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 12:00 p.m. EST 3:00 90,286 Mostly sunny; 38 F; wind 3 mph on W Otho Kortz yes Q1 4:47 OHST Byars 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 7-0 Q2 :01 MICH Bergeron 37 yard field goal OHST 7-3 Q3 7:55 MICH Bergeron 45 yard field goal OHST 7-6 Q3 6:08 OHST Byars 2 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 14-6 Q3 4:43 OHST Byars 2 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 21-6 yes Gainesville Sun. 1984 Nov 18. Rose Bowl 1985 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Ohio St 3 3 3 8 USC 10 7 3 0 January 1 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 2:00 p.m. 3:10 102,594 Sunny; 75 F; wind 10 mph on S James Sprenger Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen NBC yes Q1 12:08 OHST Spangler 21 yard field goal OHST 3-0 Q1 8:52 USC Jordan 51 yard field goal Tie 3-3 Q1 1:54 USC Cormier 3 yard pass from Green (Jordan kick) USC 10-3 Q2 :22 USC Ware 19 yard pass from Green (Jordan kick) USC 17-3 Q2 :00 OHST Spangler 46 yard field goal USC 17-6 Q3 8:37 OHST Spangler 52 yard field goal USC 17-9 Q3 4:05 USC Jordan 51 yard field goal USC 20-9 Q4 7:34 OHST Carter 18 yard pass from Tomczak (Spangler kick) USC 20-17 yes Rich Spangler's 52 yard field goal (Rose Bowl record) Cris Carter 9 Rec, 172 Yds Personnel Coaching staff Earle Bruce – Head coach – 6th year Gary Blackney – Defensive backs (1st year) Bill Conley – Inside linebacker (1st year) Steve Devine – Offensive line (2nd year) Randy Hart – Defensive line (3rd year) Glen Mason – Offensive coordinator (7th year) Bill Myles – Offensive line (8th year) Fred Pagac – Defensive linebackers (3rd year) Jim Tressel – Quarterbacks (2nd year) Bob Tucker – Defensive coordinator (6th year) Depth chart I-Formation 3-4 Yes No No 15 Mike Tomczak 16 Jim Karsatos 41 Keith Byars 25 John Wooldridge 4 Emmett Keith-Jones 28 Roman Bates 43 Barry Walker 44 George Cooper 2 Cris Carter 49 Doug Smith SE 1 Mike Lanese 6 Jamie Holland 24 Dino Dawson FL 80 Ed Taggart 85 Judd Groza 81 John Hutchison 75 Rory Graves 64 Jim Lachey 63 Kirk Lowdermilk 71 Bob Maggs 74 Scott Zalenski 56 Jim Gilmore 73 Mark Krerowicz 82 Byron Lee OLB 98 Pepper Johnson 90 Fred Ridder 33 Larry Kolic 36 Chris Spielman (ankle injury) 58 Dennis Hueston 14 Eric Kumerow OLB 12 Terry White 11 Steve Hill 7 Sonny Gordon ROV 37 William White 29 Greg Rogan 8 Scott Leach 57 Dave Morrill 95 Darryl Lee 59 Tony Giuliani 55 Ray Holliman 97 Dave Crecelius 10 Rich Spangler 19 Tom Tupa 85 85 No 1985 Ohio State Football Media Guide 1985 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Jim Lachey 1 12 Tackle San Diego Chargers Kirk Lowdermilk 3 59 Center Minnesota Vikings Mark Krerowicz 6 147 Guard Cleveland Browns References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football