1988 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1988 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes logo 1987-1991.png 150 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4–6–1 2–5–1 John Cooper 1st Jim Colletto 1st SinglebackSports Illustrated Mayhorn Patrick https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2018/5/2/17279712/ohio-state-football-college-offense-evolution-history A brief history of Ohio State's offensive innovation May 2, 2018 August 19, 2026 Bill Young 1st 3–4247Sports Svoboda Jeff https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/article/cooper-buckeyes-turned-it-around-in-93-105037690/ Cooper, Buckeyes Turned It Around In '93 October 11, 2013 August 20, 2026 Jeff Uhlenhake Michael McCray Mike Sullivan Jeff Uhlenhake Vince Workman Ohio Stadium The 1988 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 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes compiled a 4–6–1 record (2–5–1 in conference games), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 283 to 229. It was Ohio State's first losing season since 1959, and the Buckeyes were unranked in the final AP poll.1988 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1988-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 150.4 rushing yards and 187.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 192.4 rushing yards and 192.9 passing yards per game.1988 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1988.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Greg Frey (2,028 passing yards, 51.9% completion percentage), running back Carlos Snow (775 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per carry), and tight end Jeff Ellis (40 receptions for 492 yards). No Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1988 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Center Jeff Uhlenhake, defensive back Zack Dumas, and kicker Pat O'Morrow received second-team honors.AP All-Big Ten Detroit Free Press November 30, 1988 5D https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3745908/ap_all_big_ten/Michigan puts seven on all-Big Ten The Bryan Times November 23, 1988 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19881123&id=vHlPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jlEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6388,5089044 The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1988 AP Eastern September 10 3:30 p.m. w y Syracuse Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 26–9 89,768 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-89768-watch-ohio-st-end-s/173471478/ Star Tribune 89,768 watch Ohio St. end Syracuse's streak September 11, 1988 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 7:00 p.m. l y y 18 Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA ESPN 10–42 56,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-bucks-cant-stop-pitt-op/173468962/ The Marion Star Bucks can't stop Pitt option attack September 18, 1988 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 3:30 p.m. w y LSU 7 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 36–33 90,584 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-buckeye-comeback/135018521/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Buckeye comeback drops LSU September 25, 1988 November 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 1 1:30 p.m. l Illinois Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 12–31 90,274 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-erratic-buckeyes-loo/173713163/ The Newark Advocate Erratic Buckeyes looked 'pathetic' in loss to Illinois October 2, 1988 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 3:30 p.m. l y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN ABC 7–41 52,133 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-buckeyes-bumped-again-4/173713279/ St. Cloud Times Buckeyes bumped again, 41–7 by Indiana October 9, 1988 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 1:30 p.m. l Purdue Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 26–31 90,970 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-buckeyes-latest/173713361/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Buckeyes' latest: homecoming loss October 16, 1988 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 8:00 p.m. w Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN 13–6 44,221 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-osu-defense-crashes/173650465/ The Newark Advocate OSU defense 'crashes' Gophers' comeback bid October 23, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 12:00 p.m. l y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–20 77,111 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-news-sun-spartans-run-over-b/173713473/ Springfield News-Sun Spartans run over Bucks October 30, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 1:30 p.m. w Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 34–12 90,032 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-uw-teams-up-for/173711820/ Wisconsin State Journal UW teams up for ninth defeat November 6, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 12:00 p.m. t y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 24–24 67,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-buckeyes-become-thir/173713579/ The Daily Nonpareil Buckeyes become third Hawkeye tie November 13, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 12:00 p.m. l Michigan 12 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry ABC 31–34 90,176 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-osu-comeback-nearly-up/173713673/ Dayton Daily News OSU comeback nearly upsets Michigan November 20, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Syracuse Syracuse 3 3 0 3 Ohio St 0 17 6 3 September 10 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio yes 1 SYR Greene 24-yard field goal Syracuse 3-0 2 OHST O'Morrow 27-yard field goal Tie 3-3 2 OHST Snow 14-yard run (O'Morrow kick) Ohio St 10-3 2 OHST Ellis 2-yard pass from Frey (O'Morrow kick) Ohio St 17-3 2 SYR Greene 45-yard field goal Ohio St 17-6 3 OHST O'Morrow 33-yard field goal Ohio St 20-6 3 OHST O'Morrow 41-yard field goal Ohio St 23-6 4 SYR Greene 38-yard field goal Ohio St 23-9 4 OHST O'Morrow 30-yard field goal Ohio St 26-9 yes Gainesville Sun. 1988 Sept 11. Pittsburgh Ohio St 3 0 0 7 Pittsburgh 14 14 0 14 September 17 Pitt Stadium COLLEGE FOOTBALL: East; Pitt Overwhelms Ohio State, 42-10 The New York Times 1988-09-18 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/18/sports/college-football-east-pitt-overwhelms-ohio-state-42-10.html 2024-12-11 LSU LSU 3 10 10 10 Ohio St 0 14 3 19 September 24 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 90,584 yes 1 LSU Browndyke 38 yard field goal LSU 3–0 2 OHST Snow 1 yard run (O'Morrow kick) OHST 7–3 2 OHST McCray 22 yard blocked punt return (O'Morrow kick) OHST 14–3 2 LSU Moss 30 yard pass from Hodson (Browndyke kick) OHST 14–10 2 LSU Browndyke 27 yard field goal OHST 14–13 3 OHST O'Morrow 35 yard field goal OHST 17–13 3 LSU E. Fuller 3 yard run (Browndyke kick) LSU 20–17 3 LSU Browndyke 35 yard field goal LSU 23–17 4 OHST O'Morrow 41 yard field goal LSU 23–20 4 LSU Browndyke 20 yard field goal LSU 26–20 4 LSU Lee 55 yard pass from Hodson (Browndyke kick) LSU 33–20 4 OHST Snow 5 yard run (O'Morrow kick) LSU 33–27 4 OHST Safety, Bourgeois ran through end zone LSU 33–29 4 OHST Olive 20 yard pass from Frey (O'Morrow kick) OHST 36–33 yes Gainesville Sun. 1988 Sept 25. Illinois Illinois 7 3 0 21 Ohio St 0 3 3 6 October 1 Ohio Stadium Indiana Ohio St 0 0 7 0 Indiana 14 14 7 6 October 8 Memorial Stadium 52,133 Purdue Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (2–3) at Ohio State Buckeyes (2–3) October 15 1:30 p.m. CDT Purdue 0 7 14 10 Ohio St 7 10 3 6 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 90,970 Partly sunny, 62 F C Jim Kemerling WCMH First quarter OSU – Carlos Snow 58-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:32. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:30. Second quarter OSU – Greg Frey 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 13:18. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 5:13. PUR – Lance Scheib 46-yard pass from Brian Fox (Larry Sullivan kick), 10:52. Ohio St 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 2:17. OSU – Pat O'Morrow 35-yard field goal, 0:48. Ohio St 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 3:52. Third quarter OSU – Pat O'Morrow 24-yard field goal, 10:22. Ohio St 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:10. PUR – Ernie Schramayr 5-yard pass from Brian Fox (Larry Sullivan kick), 6:23. Ohio St 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:54. PUR – Brian Fox 3-yard run (Larry Sullivan kick), 4:59. Purdue 21–20. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:14. Fourth quarter PUR – Ernie Schramayr 7-yard pass from Brian Fox (Larry Sullivan kick), 14:56. Purdue 28–20. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:29. OSU – James Bryant 5-yard run (pass failed), 12:12. Purdue 28–26. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:38. PUR – Larry Sullivan 49-yard field goal, 6:28. Purdue 31–26. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 5:39. Top passers PUR – Brian Fox – 19/27, 223 yards, 3 TD OSU – Greg Frey – 10/21, 193 yards, 2 INT Top rushers PUR – Jarrett Scales – 21 rushes, 62 yards OSU – Carlos Snow – 20 rushes, 128 yards, TD Top receivers PUR – Ernie Schramayr – 13 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD OSU – Jeff Ellis – 3 receptions, 66 yards Minnesota Ohio St 3 7 3 0 Minnesota 3 3 0 0 October 22 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Michigan State Ohio St 7 3 0 0 Michigan St 7 3 10 0 October 29 Spartan Stadium Wisconsin Wisconsin 6 6 0 0 Ohio St 3 21 3 7 November 5 Ohio Stadium Iowa Ohio St 7 7 7 3 Iowa 14 7 0 3 November 12 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 12:15 p.m. EST 3:20 67,700 Rain; 40 F; wind 10 – 12 mph on SE Gil Marchman yes Q1 10:12 IOWA Stewart 1 yard run (Skillett kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 8:41 IOWA Cook 29 yard pass from Hartlieb (Skillett kick) IOWA 14–0 Q1 4:17 OSU M. Sullivan 13 yard interception return (O'Morrow kick) IOWA 14–7 Q2 11:45 IOWA Harberts 48 yard pass from Hartlieb (Skillett kick) IOWA 21–7 Q2 7:51 OSU Ellis 2 yard pass from Frey (O'Morrow kick) IOWA 21–14 Q3 9:56 OSU S. Graham 5 yard run (O'Morrow kick) Tie 21–21 Q4 8:21 OSU O'Morrow 39 yard field goal OSU 24–21 Q4 :16 IOWA Skillett 40 yard field goal Tie 24–24 yes 1988 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Ohio State Official Athletic Site https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131638/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/osu/graphics/pdf/m-footbl/1988/1988-10-Iowa.pdf 2016-03-04 . Retrieved 2015-Sep-30.Iowa ties Ohio State on last-minute field goal http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1988/11/13/page/65/article/iowa-ties-ohio-state-on-last-minute-field-goal Chicago Tribune November 13, 1988 September 2, 2019 Michigan 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes November 19, 1988 12:10 p.m. Michigan 10 10 0 14 Ohio St 0 0 14 17 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 90,176 Overcast, 44 F C John Nealow First quarter MICH – Mike Gillette 22-yard field goal, 5:47. Michigan 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 4:09. MICH – Greg McMurtry 57-yard pass from Demetrius Brown (Mike Gillette kick), 1:06. Michigan 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 1:44. Second quarter MICH – Leroy Hoard 18-yard run (Mike Gillette kick), 8:35. Michigan 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:53. MICH – Mike Gillette 56-yard field goal, 0:00. Michigan 20–0. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:35. Third quarter OSU – Carlos Snow 4-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 12:06. Michigan 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:48. OSU – Bill Matlock 9-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 4:59. Michigan 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:08. Fourth quarter OSU – Bobby Olive 4-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 11:26. Ohio St 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 3:42. OSU – Pat O'Morrow 21-yard field goal, 8:30. Ohio St 24–20. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:50. MICH – Leroy Hoard 8-yard run (Mike Gillette kick), 4:20. Michigan 27–24. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:03. OSU – Bill Matlock 16-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 2:02. Ohio St 31–27. Drive: 6 plays, 92 yards, 2:12. MICH – John Kolesar 41-yard pass from Demetrius Brown (Mike Gillette kick), 1:37. Michigan 34–31. Drive: 2 plays, 41 yards, 0:15. Top passers MICH – Demetrius Brown – 11/17, 223 yards, 2 TD OSU – Greg Frey – 14/29, 192 yards, TD, INT Top rushers MICH – Leroy Hoard – 23 rushes, 158 yards, 2 TD OSU – Carlos Snow – 21 rushes, 170 yards, TD Top receivers MICH – John Kolesar – 3 receptions, 95 yards, TD OSU – Bobby Olive – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD Roster 1988 Ohio State Buckeyes y 76 So Dan Beatty C y 88 Fr Greg Beatty WR 38 So Chris Boddie FB y 41 Jr James Bryant FB 18 Sr Gary Clift FL 12 Fr Nick Cochran QB 66 Jr Karl Coles OT y 81 So Anthony Cook TE y 50 Jr Jeff Davidson OG 27 Fr John Dawson SE y 2 Fr Bernard Edwards FL y 89 So Jeff Ellis TE 47 So Tony Fenstermaker FL y 9 Fr Jason Frank QB 70 Jr Steve France OG y 15 So Greg Frey QB y 33 Fr Tony Goodgame RB 84 So Jeff Graham SE 35 Fr Scottie Graham FB y y 65 So Erik Grimm OG y 77 Fr Len Hartman OL 19 Fr Kirk Herbstreit QB y 23 Jr Marc Hicks RB 60 So Dan Hirneise C y 29 Fr Buster Howe RB 71 Fr Mike Huddleston C 87 So Rich Huffman TE y 30 Fr Brent Johnson RB 82 So David Menges FL 64 Jr Mike Kuri OT y 62 Fr Travis Lutz C y 11 Sr Bill Matlock FB 21 Jr David McAllister QB y 74 Jr Tim Moxley OT y 63 Fr Roy Nichols OG y 37 So Bobby Olive FL 85 JR Jim Palmer TE y 75 SO John Peterson OT y 13 Sr Scott Powell QB y 1 So Lance Price TB y 5 Sr Everett Ross SE 80 Fr Chris Roy TE 91 So Scott St. John TE y 69 Fr John Schilling OT 53 Sr Tom Scholl C y 73 Fr Paul Sherrick OT 78 Fr Mike Shoaf OT y 4 So Wes Siegenthaler SE y 25 So Carlos Snow TB 28 So John Spencer TB 14 So Chris Stablein QB y 79 Jr Joe Staysniak OT y 68 Sr Jeff Uhlenhake C y C 61 So Ken Voll OG y 17 SO John Wagoner QB y 42 Sr Vince Workman TB C y 51 Sr Greg Zackeroff OG y 32 Fr Dave Bals LB 3 Sr Sean Bell S y 91 So Brian Benio ILB y 27 Jr David Brown S y 58 So Joe Carpenter LB y 16 So Mike Chancey OLB y 7 So Vince Clark CB 44 Fr Tony Closson LB 92 So Ken Coleman DT y 83 Fr Bryan Cook DB 56 Jr Orlondo Craig ILB 22 So Tony Cupe CB y 17 Jr Doug Dinan DB y 21 Jr Zack Dumas CB 94 Fr Derrick Foster LB 90 Fr Rich Frimel DT 11 So Mike Giesler CB y 49 So Andrew Gurd ILB 39 So Tyrone Harrison LB 36 Fr Judah Herman LB 18 Fr Troy Hilsenroth DB y 95 So John Kacherski OLB 62 Jr Charles Keenan LB y 35 Fr Kristofer Kostival LB y 81 Fr Tom Lease OLB 86 So Gary Lickovitch ILB y 53 Fr Paul Long DT 93 Sr Derek MacCready DT 43 Fr John Martin LB 99 Sr Michael McCray OLB C 34 Fr Joe Metzger LB 97 So Tony Moore DT y 25 So Chris Ntukgou DB y 72 Fr Corey Pargo DT 46 So Jim Peel S y 48 So Mark Pelini S y y Bo Pelini 33 So Trevor Poole DB y 13 Fr Brady Pugh S y 66 So Stephen Robbins DT y 47 Fr Patrick Rogan OLB 24 So Tim Rutledge CB 98 Jr Mike Showalter DT 20 Sr Dwight Smith CB y 57 Sr John Sullivan ILB 67 Sr Mike Sullivan NG C 30 So Otto Susec OLB y 54 Jr Pat Thomas NG y 55 Fr Jason Warner OLB y 96 Jr Srecko Zizakovic OLB y 26 So Jeff Bohlman P y 41 Fr Brian Eisenberg PK y 28 So Bob Hoyt PK y 52 Sr Tom Moore LS 6 Jr Pat O'Morrow PK 42 Fr Scott Osborne PK y 8 Fr Mark Smith P y http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/osu/graphics/pdf/m-footbl/1988/1988_guide.pdf 2016-Dec-02 John Cooper(1st Year) Jim CollettoAssistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Tackles and Tight Ends (1st Year) Bill YoungDefensive Coordinator (1st Year) Gary BlackneyInside Linebackers (5th Year) Bill DudleyQuarterbacks (1st Year) Bert HillConditioning Coach (1st Year) Ron HudsonRunning Backs (1st Year) Gene HueyWide Receivers (1st Year) Harry JustvigVolunteer Assistant (1st Year) Steve PedersonRecruiting Coordinator (1st Year) Fred PagacOutside Linebackers (7th Year) Bob PalcicCenters, Guards (3rd Year) Ron ZookDefensive Backs (1st Year) 1989 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Jeff Uhlenhake 5 121 Center Miami Dolphins Vince Workman 5 127 Running back Green Bay Packers Derek MacCready 9 226 Defensive end Detroit Lions Everett Ross 12 335 Wide receiver Minnesota Vikings https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1989.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221203137/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1989.htm 2007-12-21 1989 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football