1977 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1977 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes Logo 1898-1978.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 12 11 9–3 7–1 Woody Hayes 27th Alex Gibbs 3rd George Hill 7th Dave Adkins Aaron Brown Ray Griffin Jeff Logan Chris Ward Ohio Stadium Big Ten co-champion Sugar Bowl L 6–35 vs. Alabama The 1977 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 1977 Big Ten season. In their 27th year under head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record (7–1 in conference games), tied with Michigan for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 337 to 85. In games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 5 Michigan, and No. 3 Alabama in the 1978 Sugar Bowl. They were ranked as high as No. 3 but dropped to No. 11 in the final AP poll after losing to Michigan and Alabama.1977 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1977-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 294.5 rushing yards and 84.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 119.6 rushing yards and 92.0 passing yards per game.1977 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1977.html The team's individual statistical leaders included quarterback Rod Gerald (913 passing yards, 61.9% completion percentage), running back Ron Springs (1,092 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry), and Jim Harrell (13 receptions for 310 yards). Offensive tackle Chris Ward and linebacker Tom Cousineau were consensus first-team All-Americans.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 The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1977 AP Eastern September 10 1:30 p.m. w y 5 Miami (FL) Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 10–0 86,287 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-buckeyes-squeak-out-100-tr/171111894/ News Journal Buckeyes squeak out 10–0 triumph September 11, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 1:30 p.m. w 6 Minnesota Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 38–7 87,799 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-buckeye-offense-awes-hum/171216465/ The Marion Star Buckeye offense awes humbled Gophers, fans September 18, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 1:30 p.m. l y 4 Oklahoma 3 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 28–29 88,119 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-oklahomas-uwe-g/9282056/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Oklahoma's Uwe gets his kicks, 29–28 September 25, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 8:30 p.m. w y y 6 SMU Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 35–7 51,970 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marshall-news-messenger-ohio-state-t/169163058/ The Marshall News Messenger Ohio State topples Mustangs October 2, 1977 March 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 1:30 p.m. w 4 Purdue Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 46–0 87,707 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-payton-keys-buckeyes/171215846/ The Post-Crescent Payton keys Buckeyes October 9, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 2:30 p.m. w y 5 Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 27–6 60,070 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-rugged-buckeyes-c/171214700/ The Sioux City Journal Rugged Buckeyes conquer Iowa, 27–6 October 16, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 2:30 p.m. w y 4 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 35–15 29,563 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-big-plays-pace-buckeyes-p/171210905/ The Pantagraph Big plays pace Buckeyes past Northwestern, 35–15 October 23, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 1:30 p.m. w 3 Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 42–0 87,837 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-badgers-overwhel/171213747/ Wisconsin State Journal Badgers overwhelmed, 42–0 October 30, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 2:00 p.m. w y 4 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 35–0 66,973 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-ohio-state-rolls/171212564/ The Grand Rapids Press Ohio State rolls over Illini, 35–0 November 6, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 1:30 p.m. w 4 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 35–7 87,786 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-bucks-strong-second/171217777/ Journal and Courier Bucks' strong second-half overcomes IU November 13, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 12:30 p.m. l y 4 Michigan 5 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry ABC 6–14 106,024 Ah! Everything Comes Up Roses For Bo's Gutty Wolverines, 14–6 Detroit Free Press Curt Sylvester November 20, 1977 1D, 7D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41609776/ah_everything_comes_up_roses_for_bos/ Newspapers.com January 2, 1978 2:00 p.m. l y y 9 Alabama 3 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 6–35 76,811 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-tide-rips-onio-st/134286725/ Birmingham Post-Herald Tide rips Onio State 35–6 in sweet Sugar January 3, 1978 October 29, 2023 Newspapers.com Game summaries Miami (FL) Miami (FL) 0 0 0 0 Ohio St 0 10 0 0 September 10 Ohio Stadium 1:30 p.m. CST 2:29 86,287 78 F; wind 10 – 15 mph on WNW yes Q2 10:40 OSU Janakievski 31 yard field goal OSU 3–0 Q2 4:56 OSU Springs 21 yard run (Janakievski kick) OSU 10–0 yes Ron Springs 27 Rush, 114 Yds Minnesota Minnesota 0 0 7 0 Ohio St 7 3 7 21 September 17 Ohio Stadium 1:30 p.m. CST 2:36 87,799 Mostly cloudy; 83 F; wind 5 – 15 mph on S–W yes Q1 6:57 OHST Jones 29 yard pass from Gerald (Janakievski kick) OHST 7–0 Q2 13:03 OHST Janakievski 18 yard field goal OHST 10–0 Q3 4:45 OHST Volley 2 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 17–0 Q3 4:29 MINN Weber 100 yard kickoff return OHST 17–7 Q4 9:16 OHST Springs 8 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 24–7 Q4 5:19 OHST Donley 38 yard pass from Castignola (Janakievski kick) OHST 31–7 Q4 0:41 OHST Payton 7 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 38–7 yes Ron Springs 27 Rush, 147 Yds Oklahoma Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) at #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (2–0) September 29 1:55 p.m. Oklahoma 17 3 0 9 Ohio State 0 14 14 0 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 88,119 Overcast, 78 F C Gene Calhoun (Big Ten) ABC Keith Jackson, Ara Parseghian First quarter OKLA – Elvis Peacock 33-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 11:59. Oklahoma 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:09. OKLA – Billy Sims 14-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 11:05. Oklahoma 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:45. OKLA – Uwe von Schamann 23-yard field goal, 3:29. Oklahoma 17–0. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:08. Second quarter OKLA – Uwe von Schamann 33-yard field goal, 12:58. Oklahoma 20–0. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 3:31. OSU – Ron Springs 30-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 10:32. Oklahoma 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:23. OSU – Rod Gerald 19-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 9:46. Oklahoma 20–14. Drive: 1 play, 19 yards, 0:06. Third quarter OSU – Joel Payton 1-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 8:04. Ohio State 21–20. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:51. OSU – Jimmy Moore 16-yard pass from Greg Castignola (Vlade Janakievski kick), 4:44. Ohio State 28–20. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 2:01. Fourth quarter OKLA – Elvis Peacock 1-yard run (run failed), 1:29. Ohio State 28–26. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 4:55. OKLA – Uwe von Schamann 41-yard field goal, 0:03. Oklahoma 29–28. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 1:18. Top passers OKLA – Dean Blevins – 3/5, 44 yards, 2 INT OSU – Greg Castignola – 2/2, 29 yards, TD Top rushers OKLA – Billy Sims – 11 rushes, 60 yards, TD OSU – Ron Springs – 14 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers OKLA – Steve Rhodes – 3 receptions, 44 yards OSU – Jimmy Moore – 1 reception, 16 yards, TD At SMU Ohio St 7 14 7 7 SMU 0 0 0 7 October 1 Cotton Bowl 51,970 Purdue 1977 Purdue Boilermakers football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio State Buckeyes October 8 Purdue 0 0 0 0 Ohio St 29 10 7 0 Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio 87,707 OSU (12:49) - Guess 65 yard interception return (Janakievski kick) OSU (7:49) - Payton 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OSU (5:00) - Payton 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OSU (2:16) - Payton 10 yard run (Janakievski kick) OSU (7:58) - Springs 66 yard run (Janakievski kick) OSU (7:50) - Payton 2 yard run (Janakievski kick) Purdue Herrmann 11/21, 117 Yds, 2 INT M. Brown 17 Rush, 66 Yds Arnold 3 Rec, 60 Yds Ohio St Gerald 3/6, 90 Yds, INT Springs 10 Rush, 151 Yds, TD H. Jones 1 Rec, 45 Yds Iowa Ohio St 3 10 7 7 Iowa 0 0 0 6 October 15 Kinnick Stadium 60,070 At Northwestern 1977 Northwestern Wildcats football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #4 Ohio State Buckeyes at Northwestern Wildcats October 22 12:30 p.m. CST Ohio St 14 7 7 7 Northwestern 3 6 0 6 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois 29,563 Light rain, 53 F C First quarter NW – Sam Poulos 44-yard field goal, 9:33. Northwestern 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:00. OSU – Joel Payton 4-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 4:58. Ohio St 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:54. OSU – Jeff Logan 5-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 1:15. Ohio St 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:17. Second quarter NW – Mike Taylor 33-yard pass from Dana Hemphill (pass failed), 10:10. Ohio St 14–9. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:57 OSU – Joel Payton 1-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 1:57. Ohio St 21–9. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 1:34. Third quarter OSU – Rod Gerald 24-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 10:41. Ohio St 28–9. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 2:18. Fourth quarter OSU – Paul Campbell 1-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 7:40. Ohio St 35–9. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:01. NW – Harold Gilmore 14-yard run (run failed), 4:40. Ohio St 35–15. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:54. Top passers OSU – Rod Gerald – 7/14, 148 yards, 2 INT NW – Dana Hemphill – 6/10, 51 yards, TD Top rushers OSU – Ron Springs – 14 rushes, 130 yards NW – Harold Gilmore – 23 rushes, 121 yards, TD Top receivers OSU – James Harrell – 2 receptions, 62 yards NW – Mike Taylor – 3 receptions, 41 yards, TD Wisconsin Wisconsin 0 0 0 0 Ohio St 7 7 14 14 October 29 Ohio Stadium 87,837 Illinois Ohio St 0 7 21 7 Illinois 0 0 0 0 November 5 Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois 66,973 yes 2 OHST Campbell 1-yard run (Janakievski kick) Ohio St 7-0 3 OHST Payton 1-yard run (Janakievski kick) Ohio St 14-0 3 OHST Springs 15-yard run (Janakievski kick) Ohio St 21-0 3 OHST Harrell 5-yard run (Janakievski kick) Ohio St 28-0 4 OHST Johnson 15-yard run (Janakievski kick) Ohio St 35-0 yes Eugene Register-Guard. November 6, 1977. Indiana Indiana 7 0 0 0 Ohio St 7 0 21 7 November 12 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 87,786 yes 1 IND Calvin 2 yard pass from Arnett (Freud kick) IND 7–0 1 OHST Payton 3 yard run (Janakievski kick) Tie 7–7 3 OHST Harrell 29 yard pass from Gerald (Janakievski kick) OHST 14–7 3 OHST Gerald 8 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 21–7 3 OHST Springs 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 28–7 4 OHST Campbell 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 35–7 yes Eugene Register-Guard. November 13, 1977. Michigan Ohio St 3 0 3 0 Michigan 0 7 7 0 November 19 Michigan Stadium 106,024 Sugar Bowl Ohio St 0 0 0 6 Alabama 0 13 8 14 January 2 Louisiana Superdome Indoors (dome) Personnel Roster 1977 Ohio State Buckeyes y 69 Jr Ernest Andria OG 82 So Ronald Barwig TE 74 So Tim Brown OT 76 Jr Tim Burke OT 63 So Scott Burris OG 4 Fr Norman Burrows QB 38 So Paul Campbell FB 7 So Greg Castignola QB 78 Sr Garth Cox OT 50 Fr James DeLeone C 47 Fr Doug Donley TB y 59 Fr Ernest Epitropoulos OG 89 So Bryan Ferguson WR 65 Fr Keith Ferguson OG 56 So Kenneth Fritz OG 8 Jr Rod Gerald QB y 11 Sr James Harrell WR 24 So Charles Hunter TE 87 Jr William Jaco TE 21 So Ricky Johnson RB 49 Sr Herman Jones WR 51 Sr Mark Lang OG 92 Jr Joel Laser OG 35 Fr Felix Lee RB 34 Sr Jeff Logan FB C 73 So Douglas Mackie OT 61 Fr David Medich OG 64 Fr Nicholas Miller OG 99 Jr Jimmy Moore TE 43 Fr Calvin Murray RB 84 Fr Douglas Pauley WR 30 Fr Joel Payton FB 77 Fr David Phillips OT 53 Sr Douglas Porter C 70 Jr Joseph Robinson OG 57 Sr James Savoca OG 37 So Michael Schneider FB 23 Jr Ron Springs RB 80 Sr Grgeory Storer TE 6 Sr Michael Strahine QB 9 So Alvin Taylor QB 52 Jr Tim Vogler C 18 So Ric Volley FB 79 Sr Chris Ward Chris Ward (American football) OT C y 58 Jr Thomas Waugh OG 94 Sr David Adkins LB 22 Sr Joseph Allegro S 88 Fr David Allen DE 93 Fr Terry Bach MG 67 Sr Eddie Beamon DT 25 Fr Todd Bell DB 19 So Thomas Blinco LB 55 Sr Aaron Brown MG C 41 So James Caruso DB 71 Jr Byron Cato DT 36 Jr Tom Cousineau LB y 96 Sr Martin Cusick DE 32 Jr Kelton Dansler DE 86 Sr Joseph Dixon DE 60 So Gary Dulin DT 27 Fr Ray Ellis DB 39 Fr Leon Ellison DB 33 Fr John Epitropoulos LB 13 So Michael Faler DE 46 Jr Duncan Griffin S 44 Sr Ray Griffin S C 12 So Mike Guess DB 66 Sr Tyrone Harris DT 54 Fr Luther Henson DT 83 Jr Joseph Hornik DE 98 Jr Wendell Kellum MG 5 So James Laughlin DE 95 Jr Brian Lewis LB 90 Fr Anthony Megaro LB 91 Fr Ronald Miller DE 62 So Ed Mills DT 20 Jr Leonard Mills DB 28 Fr Robert Murphy DB 16 Jr Paul Ross DE 10 Sr Keith Saunders DB 68 So Tim Sawicki MG 14 So Brian Schwartz S 48 Fr Vince Skillings DB 72 Jr Mark Sullivan DT 97 Jr Terry Vogler LB 15 Fr Alvin Washington LB 3 So David Budd P 13 Fr Vlade Janakievski K 2 Fr Douglas McEldowney K 1 Jr David McKee P 19 Fr Thomas Orosz P http://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1977_Roster.pdf 2018-Dec-16 Woody Hayes George Chaump – Offense (10th year) George Hill – Defensive Coordinator (7th year) Dave Adolph – Defense (1st year) Alex Gibbs – Offensive Coordinator/ Offensive Line (3rd year) Mickey Jackson – (4th year) Bill Myles – Offensive Line (1st year) Gary Tranquill – Defensive Backs (1st year) Depth chart I-Formation 5-2 Yes No Yes 8 Rod Gerald 7 Greg Castignola 6 Mike Strahine 23 Ron Springs 34 Jeff Logan 26 Ricky Johnson 38 Paul Campbell 30 Joel Payton 18 Ricardo Volley 49 Herman Jones 47 Doug Donley SE 11 Jim Harrell 89 Bryan Ferguson WB 87 Bill Jaco 99 Jimmy Moore 80 Greg Storer 79 Chris Ward 78 Garth Cox 51 Mark Lang 69 Ernie Andria 52 Tim Vogler 53 Doug Porter 56 Ken Fritz 58 Tom Waugh 70 Joe Robinson 73 Doug Mackie 94 Dave Adkins 97 Terry Vogler LB 36 Tom Cousineau 29 Tom Blinco 15 Alvin Washington LB 22 Joe Allegro 14 Brian Schwartz 44 Ray Griffin 25 Todd Bell 46 Duncan Griffin 12 Mike Guess 45 Vince Skillings 20 Lenny Mills 27 Ray Ellis 32 Kelton Dansler 86 Joe Dixon 67 Eddie Beamon 60 Gary Dulin 55 Aaron Brown 72 Mark Sullivan 71 Byron Cato 54 Luther Henson 16 Paul Ross 5 Jim Laughlin 13 Vlade Janakievski 1 Dave McKee 85 85 No 1978 Ohio State Football Media Guide 1978 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Chris Ward 1 4 Tackle New York Jets Ray Griffin 2 35 Defensive back Cincinnati Bengals Herman Jones 7 185 Wide receiver Chicago Bears Jeff Logan 7 191 Running back Baltimore Colts David Adkins 8 209 Linebacker Atlanta Falcons Aaron C. Brown 10 252 Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football