1956 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1956 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes Logo 1898-1978.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 15 6–3 4–2 Woody Hayes 6th Jim Parker Frank Ellwood Paul Michael Ohio Stadium The 1956 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 1956 Big Ten season. In their sixth season under head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled a 6–3 record (4–2 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 160 to 81. They were ranked as high as No. 4 during the season, but they lost the final two games of the season against No. 7 Iowa and No. 9 Michigan.1956 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 29, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1956-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included Don Clark with 88 passing yards, Clark with 797 rushing yards, Clark with 885 yards of total offense (second best in the Big Ten), and Leo Brown with 151 receiving yards.1956 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC January 13, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1956.html Schedule 1956 AP September 29 w y 8 Nebraska Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 34–7 82,153 October 6 w y 4 Stanford Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 32–20 82,881 October 13 w y 5 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 26–6 58,247 October 20 l y 5 Penn State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry 6–7 82,584 October 27 w 9 Wisconsin Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 21–0 82,661 November 3 w y 6 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 6–2 42,000 November 10 w 7 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 35–14 82,073 November 17 l y 6 Iowa 7 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 0–6 57,732 November 24 l 12 Michigan 9 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry 0–19 82,223 Preseason In the final AP Poll of the 1955 season, Ohio State was ranked No. 5.1955 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 12, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1955.html In the 1956 pre-season AP Poll, Ohio State remained ranked No. 5.1956 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 9, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1956.html In the spring of 1956, the Big Ten conducted an investigation into allegations that Ohio State coach Woody Hayes had provided financial assistance to players in violation of conference rule. Hayes admitted that he had loaned money to players but refused to provide an accounting of the loans. The investigation also discovered a "serious irregularity" in Ohio State's off-campus work program. In April 1956, the conference placed Ohio State on probation for one year and declared the football team ineligible to play in the 1957 Rose Bowl.Ohio State On Probation; Barred From The Rose Bowl The Anderson Herald April 27, 1956 12 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8326020/ohio_state_on_probation_barred_from/ Game summaries On September 29, 1956, Ohio State (ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll) defeated Nebraska, 34–7, before a crowd of 82,153 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The crowd was the largest for an opening game in Ohio State history to that point. The Buckeyes rushed for 416 yards in the game. Ohio halfback Don Clark scored two touchdowns on runs of 35 and 38 yards.Ohio State Scores 34–7 Victory The Coshocton, Ohio, Tribune September 30, 1956 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8294550/ohio_state_scores_347_victory/ Newspapers.com On October 6, Ohio State (ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll) defeated Stanford, 32–20. The crowd of 82,881 was the largest to that point to see a game at Ohio Stadium. Stanford quarterback John Brodie completed 21 of 35 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State gained 302 of its 320 yards on the ground. In the fourth quarter, Don Clark ran for a touchdown and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jim Roseboro to break a 20–20 tie.Ohio State's Power Prevails Over Stanford's Passes, 32-20 Chicago Tribune Maurice Shevlin October 7, 1956 2–3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8296069/ohio_states_power_prevails_over/ Newspapers.com On October 13, Ohio State (ranked No. 5 at the AP Poll) defeated Illinois, 26–6, before a crowd of 58,247 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Ohio State rushed for 307 yards, aided by the blocking of guard Jim Parker who was selected as the team's most valuable player for the 1956 season. Parker also played on defense and recovered a fumble at the Illinois 10-yard line to set up a touchdown. Quarterback Frank Ellwood rushed for two touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass to Jim Roseboro.Buckeyes Thump Illinois 26–6: Elwood, Roseboro Score As Ohio State Cops 14th Straight Big 10 Victory The Coshocton, Ohio, Tribune Ed Sainsbury October 14, 1956 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8311424/buckeyes_thump_illinois_266_elwood/ Newspapers.com On October 20, Ohio State (ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll) lost to Penn State, 7–6, before a crowd of 82,584 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Neither team scored through the first three quarters. Penn State's Bruce Gilmore scored on a short run in the fourth quarter, and Milt Plum kicked the extra point. Later in the quarter, Don Clark scored for Ohio State on a short touchdown run, but Frank Kremblas' kick for extra point went wide of the goalpost.Ohio State Beaten By Easterners, 7–6, In Gridiron Surprise The Cincinnati Enquirer Fritz Howell October 21, 1956 65 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8315312/ohio_state_beaten_by_easterners_76/ Newspapers.com On October 27, Ohio State defeated Wisconsin, 21–0, before a crowd of 82,661 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The victory was Ohio State's 16th in a row against a Big Ten opponent, tying a conference opponent.Buckeyes Beat Badgers, 21–0 Chicago Tribune David Condon October 28, 1956 2-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8305977/buckeyes_beat_badgers_210/ Newspapers.com On November 3, Ohio State (ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll) defeated Northwestern, 6–2, before a homecoming crowd of 42,000 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston. Northwestern guard Al Viola blocked a punt in the first quarter that rolled out of the end zone for a safety. With 16 seconds left in the first half, Ellwood threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Leo Brown.Buckeyes Overcome Stubborn N.U., 6 to 2, For Big Ten Record of 16 Victories in Row Chicago Tribune Charles Bartlett November 4, 1956 2–1, 2–4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8307585/msu_gets_back_in_swing_by_blasting/ Newspapers.com On November 10, Ohio State (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) defeated Indiana, 35–14, before a crowd of 82,073 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The victory was Ohio State's 17th in a row against conference opponents, setting a new conference record. The Buckeyes also broke the Big Ten single-game record with 465 rushing yards against the Hoosiers.Bucks Wallop IU and Set Loop Mark The Muncie (IN) Star November 11, 1956 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8301115/bucks_wallop_iu_and_set_loop_mark/ Newspapers.com On November 17, Iowa (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) defeated Ohio State (ranked No. 6), 6–0, before a crowd of 57,732 at Iowa Stadium. Ohio State went into the game with the second best rushing attack in the country but were held to 147 rushing yards, their lowest rushing yardage total in two years. The result broke Ohio State's winning streak of 17 games against conference opponents and clinched for Iowa the conference championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl. After time expired, Iowa fans hauled down the goal posts and paraded through Iowa City.Iowa to Rose Bowl, 6–0: Hawks Hobble Ohio, Earn at Least Tie for Big Ten Title The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 18, 1956 29 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8292030/iowa_to_rose_bowl_60_hawks_hobble/ Newspapers.com On November 24, in the annual Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry game, Michigan (ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll) defeated Ohio State (ranked No. 12), 19–0, before a crowd of 82,223 at Ohio Stadium. The loss deprived Ohio State of a share of its third consecutive Big Ten title and pushed Michigan to second in the conference standing. Terry Barr, playing in his last game for Michigan, scored two touchdowns.It's Happy Ending for Spartans, U-M: Bucks 'Barr-ed' From Title, 19–0 Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine November 25, 1956 1D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8292068/its_happy_ending_for_spartans_um/ Newspapers.com Nebraska +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Nebraska Pass Atts. 6 11 Pass Comps. 2 5 Pass Yards 62 68 Yds./Pass 31.0 13.8 Rush Atts. 66 51 Rush Yards 416 185 Yds./Rush 6.3 3.6 Total Yards 478 253 Fumbles Lost 0 2 Interceptions 0 3 Total Turnovers 0 5 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846190.0 Archived copy 2017-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050333/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846190.0 2017-12-01 dead Nebraska 0 0 7 0 Ohio St 13 14 0 7 September 29 Ohio Stadium 82,153 Stanford +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Stanford Pass Atts. 2 32 Pass Comps. 1 22 Pass Yards 18 269 Yds./Pass 18.0 12.2 Rush Atts. 56 40 Rush Yards 302 145 Yds./Rush 5.4 3.6 Total Yards 320 414 Fumbles Lost 0 1 Interceptions 0 3 Total Turnovers 0 4 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846193.0 Archived copy 2017-03-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20170330092829/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846193.0 2017-03-30 dead Stanford 6 7 7 0 Ohio State 14 0 6 12 October 6 Ohio Stadium EST 82,881 yes Q1 OSU Clark 35 yard run (Kriss kick) OSU 7–0 Q1 STAN Valli 8 yard run (kick failed) OSU 7–6 Q1 OSU Roseboro 7 yard run (Kriss kick) OSU 14–6 Q2 STAN Isaacs 11 yard pass from Brodie (Raftery kick) OSU 14–13 Q3 OSU Roseboro 7 yard run (kick failed) OSU 20–13 Q3 STAN Barber 4 yard pass from Brodie (Raftery kick) tie 20–20 Q4 OSU Clark 10 yard run (kick failed) OSU 26–20 Q4 OSU Clark 18 yard pass from Roseboro (kick failed) OSU 32–20 yes Illinois +Team Statistics Statistic Illinois Ohio State Pass Atts. 14 3 Pass Comps. 8 2 Pass Yards 99 29 Yds./Pass 12.4 14.5 Rush Atts. 52 54 Rush Yards 190 282 Yds./Rush 3.7 5.2 Total Yards 289 311 Fumbles Lost 2 0 Interceptions 2 0 Total Turnovers 4 0 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846195.0 Archived copy 2017-03-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20170401063416/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846195.0 2017-04-01 dead Illinois 6 0 0 0 Ohio St 12 0 7 7 October 13 Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois 58,247 Clear, 80 F, 25 mph winds yes Q1 ILL Jefferson 44 yard run (kick failed) ILL 0–6 Q1 OHST Roseboro 1 yard run (kick failed) tie 6–6 Q1 OHST Roseboro 14 yard pass from Ellwood (kick failed) OHST 12–6 Q3 OHST Ellwood 6 yard run (Kremblas kick) OHST 19–6 Q4 OHST Ellwood 1 yard run (Kremblas kick) OHST 26–6 yes Penn State +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Penn State Pass Atts. 10 17 Pass Comps. 3 9 Pass Yards 89 115 Yds./Pass 29.7 12.8 Rush Atts. 48 58 Rush Yards 188 173 Yds./Rush 3.9 3.0 Total Yards 277 288 Fumbles Lost 0 2 Interceptions 2 2 Total Turnovers 2 4 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846192.0 Archived copy 2017-03-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201052208/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846192.0 2017-12-01 dead Penn State 0 0 0 7 Ohio State 0 0 0 6 October 20 Ohio Stadium EST 82,584 70 F yes Q4 PSU Gilmore 1 yard rush (Plum kick) PSU 0–7 Q4 OSU Clark 3 yard run (kick failed) PSU 6–7 yes Wisconsin +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Wisconsin Pass Atts. 5 10 Pass Comps. 1 4 Pass Yards 28 44 Yds./Pass 28.0 11.0 Rush Atts. 67 56 Rush Yards 293 202 Yds./Rush 4.4 3.6 Total Yards 321 246 Fumbles Lost 0 4 Interceptions 1 1 Total Turnovers 1 5 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846194.0 Archived copy 2017-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20170401235659/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846194.0 2017-04-01 dead Wisconsin 0 0 0 0 Ohio State 7 0 7 7 October 27 Ohio Stadium EST 82,661 Clear, 57 F yes Q1 OSU Clark 23 yard run (Kriss kick) OSU 7–0 Q3 OSU Ellwood 1 yard run (Kriss kick) OSU 14–0 Q4 OSU Ellwood 1 yard run (Sutherin kick) OSU 21–0 yes Northwestern +Team Statistics Statistic Northwestern Ohio State Pass Atts. 16 5 Pass Comps. 9 2 Pass Yards 79 19 Yds./Pass 8.8 9.5 Rush Atts. 44 54 Rush Yards 152 193 Yds./Rush 3.5 3.6 Total Yards 231 212 Fumbles Lost 1 0 Interceptions 1 0 Total Turnovers 2 0 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846198.0 Archived copy 2017-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201051856/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846198.0 2017-12-01 dead Ohio State 0 0 6 0 Northwestern 2 0 0 0 November 3 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois 41,000 Overcast yes Q1 NW Blocked punt by Viola for safety NW 0–2 Q3 OSU Brown 7 yard pass from Ellwood (kick failed) OSU 6–2 yes Indiana +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Indiana Pass Atts. 3 17 Pass Comps. 1 8 Pass Yards 5 147 Yds./Pass 5.0 18.4 Rush Atts. 75 32 Rush Yards 465 142 Yds./Rush 6.2 4.4 Total Yards 470 289 Fumbles Lost 2 2 Interceptions 0 3 Total Turnovers 2 5 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846186.0 Archived copy 2017-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050049/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846186.0 2017-12-01 dead Indiana 0 0 7 7 Ohio State 7 14 7 7 November 10 Ohio Stadium EST 82,073 44 F, Clear yes Q1 OSU Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (kick good) OSU 7–0 Q2 OSU Clark 73 yard run (kick good) OSU 14–0 Q2 OSU Roseboro 2 yard run (kick good) OSU 21–0 Q3 OSU Ellwood 1 yard run (kick good) OSU 28–0 Q3 IU Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (Cichowski kick) IU 28–7 Q4 OSU Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (kick good) OSU 35–7 Q4 IU Clark 3 yard run (Cichowski kick) IU 35–14 yes Iowa +Team Statistics Statistic Iowa Ohio State Pass Atts. 12 11 Pass Comps. 5 2 Pass Yards 63 18 Yds./Pass 12.6 9.0 Rush Atts. 51 50 Rush Yards 176 147 Yds./Rush 3.5 2.9 Total Yards 239 165 Fumbles Lost 2 1 Interceptions 0 0 Total Turnovers 2 1 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846196.0 Archived copy 2017-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050142/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846196.0 2017-12-01 dead Ohio State 0 0 0 0 Iowa 0 0 6 0 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 57,732 39 F, Clear, 5-8 mph wind from SW yes Q3 IOWA Gilmore 1 yard rush (Prescott kick failed) IOWA 6–0 yes Michigan +Team Statistics Statistic Ohio State Michigan Pass Atts. 5 21 Pass Comps. 1 10 Pass Yards 10 156 Yds./Pass 10.0 15.6 Rush Atts. 54 47 Rush Yards 182 127 Yds./Rush 3.4 2.7 Total Yards 192 283 Fumbles Lost 4 0 Interceptions 2 2 Total Turnovers 6 2 http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846188.0 Archived copy 2017-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201051746/http://web1.ncaa.org/footballStatsArchive/FootballStats.pdf?id=5846188.0 2017-12-01 dead Michigan 13 0 0 6 Ohio State 0 0 0 0 Ohio Stadium EST 85,223 28 F, Clear yes Q1 MICH Barr 21 yard pass from Van Pelt (Kramer kick failed) UM 0–6 Q1 MICH Barr 4 yard rush (Kramer kick) UM 0–13 Q4 MICH Maddock 1 yard run (Kramer kick failed) UM 0–19 yes Roster HB Dick LeBeau, So. Rankings and awards On December 3, 1956, both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) released their final college football polls. Both organizations ranked undefeated Oklahoma at the No. 1 spot. The AP ranked Ohio State at No. 15, while the UP did not rank Ohio State in its top 20.Sooners Win: Tennessee Second in 1956 Poll The Ogden Standard-Examiner 10A https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316043/sooners_win_tennessee_second_in_1956/ Newspapers.com Standings Deadwood Pioneer Times December 4, 1956 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316148/final_up_college_football_standings/ Newspapers.com Only one Ohio State player, guard Jim Parker, was picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press (UP) as a first-team player on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Parker received first-team honors from both the AP and UP.Hawk Trio On All Big Ten The Spencer Daily Reporter November 30, 1956 4 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1926&dat=19561129&id=52wrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s9kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1097,3709370Mel Dillard on All-Big Ten Team; Iowa Puts Men in Four Positions Alexandria (IN) Times-Tribune November 30, 1956 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8299452/mel_dillard_on_allbig_ten_team_iowa/ Newspapers.com Parker was also a consensus first-team pick for the 1956 College Football All-America Team.2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2014 August 16, 2014 5–6 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141222163944/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf dead He also ranked ninth in the 1956 Heisman Trophy voting.Hornung Surprised At Heisman Honor Green Bay Press-Gazette December 5, 1956 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316601/hornung_surprised_at_heisman_honor/ Newspapers.com 1956 Heisman Trophy Voting Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 12, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1956.html Parker was also awarded the Outland Trophy. 1957 NFL draft The following Ohio State players were selected in the 1957 NFL draft:1957 NFL Draft: Full Draft National Football League NFL.com January 4, 2017 http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=1957 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Jim Parker 1 8 Tackle Baltimore Colts Bill Michael 2 16 Guard Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Roseboro 11 124 Back Green Bay Packers Bill Cummings 11 125 Tackle Cleveland Browns Hubert Bobo 13 146 Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles Joe Cannavino 16 185 Defensive back Baltimore Colts Dick Guy 18 212 Guard San Francisco 49ers Aurelius Thomas 22 257 Guard Pittsburgh Steelers Andy Okulovich 27 319 Back Cleveland Browns Don Vicic 27 320 Back San Francisco 49ers Lee Williams 30 351 Back Los Angeles Rams References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football