1983 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1983 Ohio State Buckeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 8 9 9–3 6–3 Earle Bruce 5th Glen Mason 4th Bob Tucker 2nd John Frank John Frank Bill Roberts Ohio Stadium Fiesta Bowl champion Fiesta Bowl W 28–23 vs. Pittsburgh The 1983 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 1983 Big Ten season. In their fifth year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record (6–3 in conference games), finished in fourth place the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 382 to 183. They opened the season with victories over Oregon and No. 2 Oklahoma, lost to No. 7 Iowa, No. 19 Illinois, and No. 8 Michigan, and concluded the season with a victory over Pittsburgh in the 1984 Fiesta Bowl. They were ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll.1983 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1983-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 210.2 rushing yards and 176.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 101.9 rushing yards and 209.3 passing yards per game.1983 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 1, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1983.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Tomczak (1,716 passing yards, 56.6% completion percentage), running back Keith Byars (1,126 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 20 touchdowns), and tight end John Frank (41 receptions for 584 yards). Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1983 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Byars (AP/UPI); Frank (AP/UPI); linebacker Rowland Tatum (AP/UPI); and defensive back Garcia Lane (AP).Hawkeyes represented well on AP all-Big 10 football teams The Daily Reporter December 1, 1983 6 https://books.google.com/books?id=l3dhAAAAIBAJ&dq=All-Big+Ten+Conference+football+team&pg=PA4&article_id=4839,4310816All-Big Ten The Bryan Times (UPI story) Barry Minkoff November 22, 1983 12 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19631122&id=baZhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5ocDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3162,5187647&hl=en The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1983 AP Eastern September 10 1:30 p.m. w y 7 Oregon Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 31–6 88,524 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ironton-tribune-tomczak-osu-romps-o/166494805/ The Ironton Tribune Tomczak, OSU romps Oregon 31–6 September 11, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 3:30 p.m. w y y 6 Oklahoma 2 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 24–14 75,008 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-osus-best-too-muc/166546657/ Lansing State Journal OSU's best too much for Oklahoma, 24–14 September 18, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 3:30 p.m. l y 3 Iowa 7 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA CBS 14–20 66,175 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-ohio-state-stumbles-a/166614029/ The Times Recorder Ohio State stumbles at Iowa, 20–14 September 25, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 1:30 p.m. w 8 Minnesota Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 69–18 89,192 https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-ohio-state-byars-rip/166615064/ Grand Forks Herald Ohio State, Byars rip Gophers 69–18 October 2, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 1:30 p.m. w 6 Purdue Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 33–22 89,384 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-lanes-punt-returns-ai/166615187/ The Post-Crescent Lane's punt returns aid Ohio State victory October 9, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 2:00 p.m. l y 6 Illinois 19 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 13–17 73,414 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-late-illinois-ma/166613083/ The Des Moines Register Late Illinois march sinks Buckeyes, 17–13 October 16, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 1:30 p.m. w 17 Michigan State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 21–11 89,104 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-ohio-state-pass-combo-a-spl/166615333/ News Journal Ohio State pass combo a splash against Spartans October 23, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 1:30 p.m. w 16 Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 45–27 89,203 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-buckeyes-byars/166615444/ The Duluth News Tribune Buckeyes, Byars bounce Badgers October 30, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 1:30 p.m. w y 14 Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 56–17 51,176 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post-ohio-state-romps-past/166615563/ The Salisbury Post Ohio State romps past Indiana by 56 to 17 November 6, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 1:30 p.m. w 10 Northwestern Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 55–7 88,703 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-according-to-scr/166615676/ The Cincinnati Enquirer According to script, Ohio State murders Northwestern November 13, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 1:00 p.m. l y 10 Michigan 8 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry WXYZ-TV 21–24 106,115 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-michigan-bound-for/166615799/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Michigan bound for Sugar after victory over Ohio State November 20, 1983 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com January 2, 1984 1:30 p.m. w y y 14 Pittsburgh 15 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl NBC 28–23 66,484 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-late-td-pass-lifts/166501200/ The Arizona Republic Late TD pass lifts Buckeyes in Fiesta January 3, 1984 February 24, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Oregon Oregon 0 6 0 0 Ohio St 7 3 21 0 September 10 Ohio Stadium At Oklahoma 1983 Oklahoma Sooners football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–0) at #2 Oklahoma Sooners (1–0) September 17 2:50 p.m. CDT Ohio St 7 7 7 3 Oklahoma 0 7 7 0 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, Oklahoma 75,008 Sunny • 93 F C • Wind S 17 mph km/h knot Tom Quinn (Big Ten) ABC Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles Ohio State Football Archive Ohio State Tomczak15/25, 234 Yds, 2 TD, INT Lindsey16 Rush, 75 Yds Frank7 Rec, 108 Yds, 2 TD Oklahoma Bradley9/21, 170 Yds, TD Tillman13 Rush, 83 Yds, TD Shepard3 Rec, 85 Yds, TD "Ohio St. Is Superb In Beating Sooners." Gainesville Sun. 1983 Sept 18. OSU OU collapsed 1 8:44 Ohio St 13 80 6:16 RecTD Frank Tomczak 16 good Spangler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 2 10:57 Ohio St 1 15 0:06 RecTD Frank Tomczak 15 good Spangler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 9:14 Oklahoma 4 85 1:43 RushTD Tillman 37 good Culver run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 3 8:30 Ohio St 10 57 RushTD Bates 2 good Spangler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 7 3 1:01 Oklahoma 8 62 RecTD Shepard Bradley 22 good Culver run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 14 4 9:15 Ohio St 16 59 FG 22 Spangler 24 14 24 14 At Iowa Ohio State 7 0 0 7 Iowa 3 0 10 7 September 24 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 1983 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Minnesota Minnesota 3 9 0 6 Ohio State 7 31 24 7 October 1 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 1:30 EDT Purdue Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (1–2–1) at #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (3–1) October 8, 1983 1:30 p.m. EDT Purdue 7 0 0 15 Ohio St 6 6 14 7 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,384 Sunny, 76 F C Tom Quinn Box Score First quarter OSU – Paul Allen 21-yard field goal, 9:41. Ohio St 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:11. OSU – Paul Allen 41-yard field goal, 4:30. Ohio St 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 3:34. PUR – Eric Jordan 40-yard run (Tim Clark kick), 2:27. Purdue 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:00. Second quarter OSU – Keith Byars 4-yard run (pass failed), 5:23. Ohio St 12–7. Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 0:59. Third quarter OSU – Garcia Lane 63-yard punt return (Rich Spangler kick), 13:43. Ohio St 19–7. OSU – Garcia Lane 71-yard punt return (Rich Spangler kick), 2:51. Ohio St 26–7. Fourth quarter PUR – Tim Clark 39-yard field goal, 14:20. Ohio St 26–10. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:31. OSU – Keith Byars 2-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 10:56. Ohio St 33–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:19. PUR – Cliff Benson 5-yard pass from Scott Campbell (pass failed), 3:50. Ohio St 33–16. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 3:59. PUR – Mel Gray 20-yard run (pass failed), 2:58. Ohio St 33–22. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 0:46. Top passers PUR – Scott Campbell – 23/36, 228 yards, TD OSU – Mike Tomczak – 8/17, 145 yards, 2 INT Top rushers PUR – Eric Jordan – 9 rushes, 89 yards, TD OSU – Keith Byars – 23 rushes, 135 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PUR – Steve Griffin – 5 receptions, 62 yards OSU – Keith Byars – 4 receptions, 120 yards At Illinois Ohio St 0 3 10 0 Illinois 7 3 0 7 October 15 Memorial Stadium Michigan State Michigan St 3 0 0 8 Ohio St 7 7 0 7 October 22 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 1:30 p.m. EST 2:28 89,104 Rainy; 56 F; wind 15 – 25 mph on SE Jerry Hendrickson yes Q1 10:08 OHST Byars 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 7–0 Q1 4:30 MSU Mojsiejenko 33 yard field goal OHST 7–3 Q2 2:17 OHST Frank 39 yard pass from Karsatos (Spangler kick) OHST 14–3 Q4 11:47 OHST Byars 5 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 21–3 Q4 :57 MSU Tyree recovered blocked punt in end zone (Belk pass from Brown) OHST 21–11 yes Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives https://web.archive.org/web/20141221003959/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/osu/graphics/pdf/m-footbl/1983/1983-07-MichiganState.pdf 2014-12-21 . Retrieved 2014-Dec-20. Wisconsin Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Wisconsin Badgers (5–2) at #16 Ohio State Buckeyes (5–2) October 29, 1983 1:30 p.m. EDT Wisconsin 14 7 6 0 Ohio St 7 21 10 7 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,203 Clear, 55 F C Jim Kemerling Box Score First quarter WIS – Gary Ellerson 2-yard run (Kevin Rohde kick), 11:34. Wisconsin 7–0. OSU – Thad Jemison 19-yard pass from Mike Tomczak (Rich Spangler kick), 5:25. Tie 7–7. WIS – Thad McFadden 20-yard pass from Randy Wright (Kevin Rohde kick), 2:50. Wisconsin 14–7. Second quarter OSU – Mike Tomczak 28-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 13:19. Tie 14–14. OSU – Keith Byars 13-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 7:16. Ohio St 21–14. OSU – Vaughn Broadnax 1-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 2:07. Ohio St 28–14. WIS – Nick Toon 22-yard pass from Randy Wright (Kevin Rohde kick), 0:57. Ohio St 28–21. Third quarter WIS – Brett Pearson 7-yard pass from Randy Wright (kick failed), 11:36. Ohio St 28–27. OSU – Rich Spangler 36-yard field goal, 4:41. Ohio St 31–27. OSU – Keith Byars 3-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 1:36. Ohio St 38–27. Fourth quarter OSU – Roman Bates 14-yard run (Rich Spangler kick), 12:48. Ohio St 45–27. Top passers WIS – Randy Wright – 23/39, 319 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT OSU – Mike Tomczak – 12/14, 162 yards, TD Top rushers WIS – Joe Armentrout – 10 rushes, 40 yards OSU – Keith Byars – 29 rushes, 174 yards, 2 TD Top receivers WIS – Thad McFadden – 3 receptions, 108 yards, TD OSU – Cedric Anderson – 4 receptions, 70 yards Woody Hayes dotted the "i" in the pregame Script Ohio. Gainesville Sun. 1983 Oct 30. right Script Ohio/Woody Hayes dots the "i" Game highlights At Indiana Ohio St 14 14 14 14 Indiana 3 0 6 8 November 5 Memorial Stadium Northwestern Northwestern 0 0 0 7 Ohio State 20 21 7 7 November 12 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 88,703 At Michigan Ohio State 0 7 7 7 Michigan 10 0 0 14 November 19 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan Vs. Pittsburgh (Fiesta Bowl) 1984 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State 7 7 0 14 Pittsburgh 0 7 0 16 January 2, 1984 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona 66,484 Charlie Jones, Bob Griese NBC 1984 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State Spring Football Media Guide http://admin.xosn.com/fls/17300//pdf/fb/m-footbl-bowls.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20200828103057/http://admin.xosn.com/fls/17300//pdf/fb/m-footbl-bowls.pdf 2020-08-28 2008 dead Personnel Roster 1983 Ohio State Buckeyes y 22 Sr Cedric Anderson WR 76 Fr Dan Bachorski OT 28 Fr Roman Bates RB 46 So Ken Blair FB 38 Sr Vaughn Broadnax FB 41 So Keith Byars RB 48 Fr Jeff Cargile FB 77 Sr Jim Carson OT 79 So Larry Chesbrough OG 44 Fr George Cooper RB 42 Fr Tony Cooper RB 84 So Kevin Delaney SE 78 Sr Joe Dooley C 89 Sr John Frank TE C 56 So Jimn Gilmore C 65 Fr Tom Glancey OG 75 So Rory Graves OT 85 Jr Judd Groza TE 26 Fr Nate Harris WR 34 Jr Jay Holland FL 67 Fr Gene Hulshult OG 81 Fr John Hutchinson TE 88 Sr Thad Jemison WR y 24 So Ron Jordan RB 16 Fr Jim Karsatos QB y 27 So Emmett Keith-Jones RB 73 Jr Mark Krerowicz OL 14 Fr Eric Kumerow QB 64 Jr Jim Lachey OG 1 So Mike Lanese WR 20 Sr Kelvin Lindsey RB 63 Jr Kirk Lowdermilk OL 51 So John Lucente C 71 Fr Bob Maggs OG 62 Fr Tom McCormick OT 53 Fr Rich Morrise C 50 Fr Tim Odom C 7 Sr Brent Offenbecher QB 70 Sr Bill Roberts OT C 18 Fr Johnny Ross FL 86 Jr Rob Selvaggio TE 69 Fr Jay Shaffer OT 49 So Doug Smith SE 6 Sr Tim Stephens QB 80 Fr Ed Taggart TE 15 Jr Mike Tomczak QB y 83 So Dave Wagner FL 43 Fr Barry Walker RB 52 Jr Doug Whitmer C 25 Fr John Woolridge RB 74 Jr Scott Zalenski OL 9 Jr Gary Alders OLB 17 Sr Clark Backus LB 4 Jr Kelvin Bell S 96 Fr Tom Bose OLB 84 Fr Henry Brown DT 94 Sr Chris Cicero OLB 24 Sr Jeff Cisco CB 42 Jr Ray Conlin DT 97 Jr Dave Crecelius DT 11 Sr Curt Curtis OLB 66 Sr Rich Czyzynski OLB 2 Sr Shaun Gayle CB 59 Jr Tony Giuliani MG 39 Fr Sonny Gordon CB 23 Sr Rod Gorley CB 92 Fr Reggie Graves LB 60 Jr Bill Harvey LB 27 Sr Doug Hill DB 19 Fr Steve Hill DB 68 Jr Mark Hocevar DT 55 Fr Ray Holliman DT 58 So Dennis Hueston OLB 47 Fr Ray Jackson CB 35 Fr Joe Jenkins LB 98 So Pepper Johnson LB 30 Fr Mike Kee LB 91 Fr Jim Klohn DT 33 Jr Larry Kolic LB 93 Fr Larry Kotterman DT 12 Sr Garcia Lane CB C 8 Fr Scott Leach CB 82 So Byron Lee OLB 95 Fr Darryl Lee MG 37 Sr Orlando Lowry OLB 72 Fr Mike Machinsky DT 57 Jr Dave Morrill DT 54 Jr Spencer Nelms MG 3 Jr Jim Palmer CB 99 Fr Mark Pfister LB 83 Fr Murphy Ray CB 21 Jr Kevin Richardson S 90 Fr Fred Ridder LB 61 So John Sullivan DT 32 Sr Rowland Tatum LB C 29 Fr Terry White S 88 Jr Paul Allen K 5 Sr Karl Edwards P 87 So Ken Grimmer P 36 Jr Tim Marsh K 13 So Scott Neff K 10 So Rich Spangler K Earle Bruce Dom Capers (DB) Steve Devine (Recruiting) Randy Hart (DL) Glen Mason (OC) Bill Myles (OL) Fred Pagac (LB) Wayne Stanley (RB) Jim Tressel (QB) Bob Tucker (DC) Depth chart I-Formation 3-4 Yes Yes Yes 15 Mike Tomczak 16 Jim Karsatos 7 Brent Offenbecher 41 Keith Byars 20 Kelvin Lindsey 25 John Wooldridge 38 Vaughn Broadnax 43 Barry Walker 48 Jeff Cargile 88 Thad Jemison 49 Doug Smith SE 22 Cedric Anderson 34 Jay Holland 83 Dave Wagner FL 89 John Frank 80 Judd Groza 81 John Hutchinson 70 William Roberts 73 Mark Krerowicz 64 Jim Lachey 63 Kirk Lowdermilk 78 Joe Dooley 50 Tim Odom 74 Scott Zalenski 71 Bob Maggs 77 Jim Carson 75 Rory Graves 62 Tom McCormick 97 Dave Crecelius 42 Ray Conlin RDT 54 Spencer Nelms 59 Tony Giuliani 95 Darryl Lee MG 57 Dave Morrill 84 Henry Brown LDT 37 Orlando Lowry 82 Byron Lee ROLB 32 Rowland Tatum 33 Larry Kolic 17 Clark Backus 98 Pepper Johnson 11 Curt Curtis 66 Rich Czyzynski 58 Dennis Hueston LOLB 4 Kelvin Bell 27 Doug Hill 19 Steve Hill ROV 2 Shaun Gayle 21 Kevin Richardson 12 Garcia Lane 7 Sonny Gordon 10 Rich Spangler 5 Karl Edwards 28 Roman Bates (TB/FB) 25 John Wooldridge (TB) 85 85 No 1984 Ohio State Football Media Guide 1984 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club William Roberts 1 27 Guard New York Giants John Frank 2 56 Tight end San Francisco 49ers Garcia Lane 3 61 Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs Rowland Tatum 6 165 Linebacker Miami Dolphins Shaun Gayle 10 271 Defensive back Chicago Bears Joe Dooley 10 274 Center Los Angeles Rams Thad Jemison 12 310 Wide receiver Tampa Bay Buccaneers References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Category:Fiesta Bowl champion seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football