1972 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1972 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes Logo 1898-1978.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3 9 9–2 7–1 Woody Hayes 22nd George Hill 2nd George Hasenohrl Richard Galbos George Hasenohrl Ohio Stadium Big Ten co-champion Rose Bowl L 17–42 vs. USC The 1972 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an represented the Ohio State University in the 1972 Big Ten Conference football season. Led by 22nd-year head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled an overall record of 9–2 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, sharing the Big Ten title with Michigan. By virtue of a head-to-head win over Michigan, Ohio State earned a berth in the Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes lost to USC by a score of 42–17. The team played home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1972 AP Eastern September 16 1:30 p.m. w 3 Iowa Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 21–0 77,098 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-iowa-wins-battles-but-n/181942248/ Quad-City Times Iowa wins battles, but not the war September 17, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 1:30 p.m. w y 5 North Carolina Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 29–14 86,180 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-frosh-find-leads/139506064/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Frosh find leads Beckeyes by N.C. October 1, 1972 January 24, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 4:31 p.m. w y y 3 California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 35–18 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-bucks-rally-to-thump-cal-351/181883813/ The Blade Bucks rally to thump Cal, 35–18 October 8, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 1:30 p.m. w 4 Illinois Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 26–7 86,298 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-winless-illinois-falls/181942321/ The Miami Herald Winless Illinois falls prey to Ohio State October 15, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 1:30 p.m. w 4 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 44–7 86,365 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-buckeyes-whip-hoosier/181942393/ The Bay City Times Buckeyes whip Hoosiers 44–7 October 22, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 2:30 p.m. w y 4 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 28–20 78,713 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-buckeyes-beat-battling/181942452/ The Post-Crescent Buckeyes beat battling Badgers October 29, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 1:30 p.m. w 5 Minnesota Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 27–19 86,439 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lima-news-buckeyes-seize-2719-win/181942520/ The Lima News Buckeyes seize 27–19 win November 5, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 1:00 p.m. l y 5 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 12–19 76,264 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-bucks-get-the-boot/181942572/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Bucks get the boot November 12, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 2:00 p.m. w y 9 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 27–14 34,475 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hensons-4-touch/181942627/ The Des Moines Register Henson's 4 touchdowns keep Buckeye hopes alive November 19, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25 1:00 p.m. w 9 Michigan 3 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry ABC 14–11 87,040 Bye, Roses! M Loses, 14-11: Goal-Line Stands Send OSU To Bowl Detroit Free Press Curt Sylvester November 26, 1972 1E, 7E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5525436/bye_roses_m_loses_1411/ Newspapers.com October 4, 2016 January 26, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20161004171937/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5525436/bye_roses_m_loses_1411/ live January 1, 1973 4:45 p.m. l y y 3 USC 1 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl NBC 17–42 106,869 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-106869-see-tro/181881999/ The Honolulu Advertiser 106,869 see Trojans 'Bam' Buckeyes in record style January 2, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1972 Ohio State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/251681 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 28, 2025 Rankings 1972 NCAA University Division football rankings AP 0 14 3 (4) 3 (5) 4 (2) 5 (1) 3 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (1) 5 (1) 5 (1) 9 9 4 3 9 Coaches 0 13 4 (2) 4 (4) 5 (2) 6 (1) 4 (1) 4 5 3 4 4 9 8 4 3 Game summaries Iowa Iowa 0 0 0 0 Ohio St 0 7 7 7 September 16 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 1:31p.m. EST 2:21 77,098 Clear, 74 F yes Q2 4:06 Ohio St Keith 1 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 7-0 Q3 0:26 Ohio St Henson 4 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 14-0 Q4 10:04 Ohio St Henson 1 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 21-0 yes Palm Beach Post. 1972 September 17. http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030466.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140735/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030466.0 2016-11-28 dead North Carolina 1972 North Carolina Tar Heels football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed North Carolina Tar Heels at Ohio State Buckeyes September 30, 1972 1:30 p.m. North Carolina 7 0 0 7 Ohio St 3 6 14 6 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 86,180 Cloudy, 49 F C First quarter UNC – Gene Brown recovered blocked punt in end zone (Ellis Alexander kick), 9:37. North Carolina 7–0. OSU – Blair Conway 22-yard field goal, 0:06. North Carolina 7–3. Drive: 73 yards. Second quarter OSU – Greg Hare 17-yard run (kick failed), 11:50. Ohio St 9–7. Drive: 47 yards. Third quarter OSU – Randal Keith 11-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 8:41. Ohio St 16–7. Drive: 87 yards. OSU – Champ Henson 9-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 2:00. Ohio St 23–7. Drive: 84 yards. Fourth quarter OSU – Archie Griffin 9-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 4:13. Ohio St 30–7. Drive: 31 yards. UNC – Earle Bethea 37-yard pass from Nick Vidnovic (Ellis Alexander), 0:00. Ohio St 30–14. Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:05. Top passers UNC – Nick Vidnovic – 4/14, 65 yards, TD, 2 INT OSU – Greg Hare – 5/12, 96 yards, INT Top rushers UNC – Ike Oglesby – 14 rushes, 67 yards OSU – Archie Griffin – 27 rushes, 239 yards, TD Top receivers UNC – Earle Bethea – 1 reception, 37 yards, TD OSU – Richard Galbos – 3 receptions, 72 yards Ohio State was the only team to beat the Tar Heels in 1972."Freshman sparkles." Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Sept 30. Archie Griffin set the school single game rushing record in just his second game. California Ohio St 3 0 19 13 California 0 9 3 6 October 7 California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California 1:31p.m. PST 2:44 45,000 Cloudy, warm yes Q1 9:16 OSU Conway 39-yard field goal OSU 3-0 Q2 9:50 CAL Safety, Toews blocked punt out of end zone OSU 3-2 Q2 7:15 CAL Sweeney 19-yard pass from Shaughnessy (Wersching kick) CAL 9-3 Q3 14:08 OSU Henson 25-yard run (kick failed) Tied 9-9 Q3 6:47 CAL Wersching 20-yard field goal CAL 12-9 Q3 4:03 OSU Henson 1-yard run (kick blocked) OSU 15-12 Q3 1:02 OSU Henson 1-yard run (Conway kick) OSU 22-12 Q4 8:09 OSU Datvos 22-yard run (kick failed) OSU 28-12 Q4 2:35 OSU Bartoszcek 5-yard pass from Purdy (Conway kick) OSU 35-12 Q4 0:00 CAL Shaughnessy 7-yard pass from Ferragamo (run failed) OSU 35-18 yes http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030476.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140740/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030476.0 2016-11-28 dead Illinois Illinois 0 7 0 0 Ohio St 13 6 0 7 October 14 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 1:33p.m. EST 2:29 86,298 Cloudy, 59 F yes Q1 OHST Henson 5-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 7-0 Q1 OHST Henson 1-yard run (kick failed) Ohio St 13-0 Q2 ILL Lewis 60-yard pass from Perrin (Wells kick) Ohio St 13-7 Q2 OHST Henson 1-yard run (kick failed) Ohio St 19-7 Q4 OHST Pagac 10-yard pass from Purdy (Kleban kick) Ohio St 26-7 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 15. http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030464.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140756/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030464.0 2016-11-28 dead Indiana Indiana 0 7 0 0 Ohio St 14 3 14 13 October 21 Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio 1:32p.m. EST 2:18 86,365 Cloudy, 51 F yes Q1 5:57 OHST Hare 7-yard run (kick failed) Ohio St 6-0 Q1 4:40 OHST Henson 1-yard run (Bradshaw pass from Hare) Ohio St 14-0 Q2 9:51 IND Flanagan 33-yard pass from Harris (Gartner kick) Ohio St 14-7 Q2 3:35 OHST Conway 32-yard field goal Ohio St 17-7 Q3 12:45 OHST Henson 23-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 24-7 Q3 7:30 OHST Hare 6-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 31-7 Q4 13:55 OHST Keith 1-yard run (run failed) Ohio St 37-7 Q4 7:16 OHST Morrison 1-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 44-7 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 22. http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030465.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140737/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030465.0 2016-11-28 dead Wisconsin Ohio St 14 14 0 0 Wisconsin 0 7 7 6 October 28 Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin 1:31p.m. CST 2:36 78,713 Mostly cloudy, 12 mph on wind, 47 F yes Q1 12:15 OHST Galbos 37 yard pass from Hare (Conway kick) Ohio St 7–0 Q1 5:36 OHST Henson 1 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 14–0 Q2 9:27 OHST Henson 1 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 21–0 Q2 4:22 WIS Novak 12 yard pass from Steiner (Barrios kick) Ohio St 21–7 Q2 0:47 OHST Hare 8 yard run (Conway kick) Ohio St 28–7 Q3 9:48 WIS Novak 15 yard pass from Steiner (Barrios kick) Ohio St 28–14 Q4 1:52 WIS Steiner 1 yard run (pass failed) Ohio St 28–20 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 29. Ocala Star-Banner. 1972 Oct 29. http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030482.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140758/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030482.0 2016-11-28 dead Minnesota Minnesota 13 0 0 6 Ohio State 7 14 0 6 November 4 Ohio Stadium 1:31p.m. EST 2:17 86,439 Cloudy, 49 F yes Q1 9:42 OSU Henson 2 yard run (Conway kick) OSU 7–0 Q1 8:22 MINN Beaudoin 7 yard run (Goldberg kick) TIED 7–7 Q1 1:02 MINN King 1 yard run (pass failed) MINN 7–13 Q2 13:05 OSU Henson 16 yard run (Conway kick) OSU 14–13 Q2 1:25 OSU Griffin 11 yard run (Conway kick) OSU 21–13 Q4 13:58 OSU Hare 23 yard pass to Powell (kick failed) OSU 27–13 Q4 3:08 MINN Morgan 6 yard pass to King (pass failed) OSU 27–19 yes http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030470.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140732/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030470.0 2016-11-28 dead Michigan State Ohio State 3 9 0 0 Michigan State 6 6 7 0 November 11 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 1:00p.m. EST 2:45 76,264 Cloudy, WNW wind 10 mph on, 41 F yes Q1 11:24 MSU Krijt 24 yard field goal MSU 3–0 Q1 6:03 MSU Krijt 40 field goal MSU 6–0 Q1 3:27 OSU Conway 44 yard field goal MSU 6–3 Q2 14:02 OSU Hare 20 yard pass to Powell (Conway kick) OSU 6–10 Q2 11:52 OSU Safety, blocked kick OSU 6–12 Q2 1:03 MSU Krijt 22 yard field goal OSU 9–12 Q2 0:04 MSU Krijt 31 yard field goal TIED 12–12 Q3 7:20 MSU Niesen 6 yard run (Krijt kick) MSU 19–12 yes http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030479.0 Archived copy 2016-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128140726/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=6030479.0 2016-11-28 dead Northwestern Ohio State 7 0 13 7 Northwestern 0 7 7 0 November 18 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois 1:00p.m. CST 2:29 34,475 Cloudy, cold yes Q1 5:03 OHST Henson 1 yard run (Conway kick) OHST 0–7 Q2 6:50 NW Anderson 16 yard pass from Somers (Skarin kick) TIED 7–7 Q3 11:17 OHST Henson 1 yard run (Conway kick) OHST 7–14 Q3 3:03 OHST Henson 3 yard run (kick failed) OHST 7–20 Q3 0:02 NW Craig 10 yard pass from Anderson (Skarin kick) OHST 14–20 Q4 0:21 OHST Henson 3 yard run (Conway kick) OHST 14–27 yes Palm Beach Post. 1972 Nov 19. Michigan 1972 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes November 25, 1972 1:30 p.m. Michigan 0 3 8 0 Ohio St 0 7 7 0 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 87,040 Rain, 39 F C Ross Dean (Big Ten) ABC Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson Second quarter MICH – Mike Lantry 35-yard field goal, 14:13. Michigan 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:36. OSU – Champ Henson 1-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 4:30. Ohio St 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:44. Third quarter OSU – Archie Griffin 30-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 12:32. Ohio St 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 2:18. MICH – Ed Shuttlesworth 1-yard run (pass good), 4:48. Ohio St 14–11. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 7:35. Top passers MICH – Dennis Franklin – 13/23, 160 yards OSU – Greg Hare – 1/3, 17 yards, INT Top rushers MICH – Chuck Heater – 14 rushes, 65 yards OSU – Archie Griffin – 17 rushes, 75 yards, TD Top receivers MICH – Paul Seal – 4 receptions, 60 yards OSU – Archie Griffin – 1 reception, 17 yards Ohio State made two goal line stands, one in each half, to hold on to the 14–11 victory. The first came just before halftime as Dennis Franklin fumbled on fourth down at the two. In the fourth quarter, Randy Gradishar stopped Franklin on a sneak from the one. The Buckeyes' fans tore down the goal posts with 13 seconds remaining. "Everything Just Rosy for Ohio State." Palm Beach Post. 1972 Nov 26. Vs. No. 1 USC (Rose Bowl) No. 3 Buckeyes 0 7 3 7 No. 1 Trojans 7 0 21 14 January 1, 1973 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 2:00p.m. PST 106,869 Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis NBC yes Q1 1:30 USC Rae 10 yard pass to Swann (Rae kick) USC 7–0 Q2 13:37 OSU Keith 1 yard run (Conway kick) TIED 7–7 Q3 12:18 USC Cunningham 2 yard run (Rae kick) USC 14–7 Q3 8:11 OSU Conway 21 yard field goal USC 14–10 Q3 5:51 USC Davis 20 yard run (Rae kick) USC 21–10 Q3 1:25 USC Cunningham 1 yard run (Rae kick) USC 28–10 Q4 9:10 USC Cunningham 1 yard run (Rae kick) USC 35–10 Q4 5:13 USC Cunningham 1 yard run (Rae kick) USC 42–10 Q4 0:34 OSU Bledsoe 5 yard run (Conway kick) USC 42–17 yes Personnel Coaching staff Woody Hayes – head coach (22nd year) George Chaump – offense (5th year) George Hill – defensive coordinator (2nd year) Rudy Hubbard – running backs (5th year) Charles Clausen – defense line (2nd year) Edward Ferkany – offensive line / punter (1st year) Rudy Hubbard – running backs (5th year) John Mummey – quarterbacks (4th year) Ralph Staub – tackles / tight ends / kickers (3rd year) Dick Walker – defensive backs (4th year) Depth chart I-Formation 4-3 Yes No No Greg Hare Steve Morrison Dave Purdy Archie Griffin Elmer Lippert Champ Henson Randy Keith Mike Bartoszek Morris Bradshaw SE Brian Baschnagel Rich Galbos WB Fred Pagac Ted Powell Merv Teague Doug France Jim Kregel Steve Myers Steve Luke Charles Bonica Larry Wiggins John Hicks Rick Middleton Arnie Jones Vic Koegel Randy Gradishar Rick Seifert Rich Parsons Lou Mathis Doug Plank Neal Colzie Tim Fox Jeff Davis John Hughes Van DeCree Mike Scannell Pete Cusick Shad Williams George Hasenhorl Jim Cope Tom Marendt Blair Conway Gary Lago Neal Colzie 85 85 No 1973 Ohio State Media Guide NFL draft picks 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Rick Seifert 8 194 Defensive back New York Jets George Hasenohrl 8 198 Defensive tackle New York Giants John Bledsoe 8 203 Running back Detroit Lions Rich Galbos 9 218 Running back Washington Redskins Earl Belgrave 17 435 Tackle Detroit Lions References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football