1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Syracuse

First quarter

• SYR – Tony Sidor 21-yard pass from Dave Warner (Gary Anderson kick), 10:47. ''Syracuse 7–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:13.'''''
• SYR – Chris Jilleba 4-yard pass from Dave Warner (Gary Anderson kick), 9:10. ''Syracuse 14–0. '''Drive: 3 plays, 4 yards, 1:23.'''''
• OSU – Vlade Janakievski 35-yard field goal, 3:08. ''Syracuse 14–3. '''Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 6:02.''''' Second quarter
• SYR – Dave Warner 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 13:38. ''Syracuse 21–3. '''Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:30.'''''
• OSU – Vlade Janakievski 34-yard field goal, 3:36. ''Syracuse 21–6. '''Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 3:39.'''''
• OSU – Vlade Janakievski 42-yard field goal, 0:10. ''Syracuse 21–9. '''Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 1:39.''''' Third quarter
• OSU – Doug Donley 37-yard pass from Art Schlichter (Vlade Janakievski kick), 12:45. ''Syracuse 21–16. '''Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:15.'''''
• OSU – Ricky Johnson 4-yard run (pass good), 4:39. ''Ohio State 24–21. '''Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 4:08.''''' Fourth quarter
• OSU – Art Schlichter 10-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 1:36. ''Ohio State 31–21. '''Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:21.''''' ;Top passers
• SYR – Dave Warner – 10/16, 91 yards, 2 TD, INT
• OSU – Art Schlichter – 7/13, 107 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
• SYR – Joe Morris – 26 rushes, 150 yards
• OSU – Calvin Murray – 18 rushes, 117 yards ;Top receivers
• SYR – Tony Sidor – 7 receptions, 74 yards, TD
• OSU – Doug Donley – 2 receptions, 58 yards, TD

On September 13, Ohio State (AP No. 1) opened its season with a 31–21 victory over Syracuse at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Despite being a 27-point underdog, Syracuse led, 21–9, at halftime. Ohio State's quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate, Art Schlichter, threw two interceptions in the first half, and then led the Buckeyes to a 22-point comeback in the second half. After the close game with Syracuse, Ohio State dropped to No. 2 in the AP Poll as Alabama took over the No. 1 spot.

Minnesota

On September 20, Ohio State (AP No. 2) easily defeated Minnesota, 47–0, before the largest crowd (87,916) in Ohio Stadium history. Ohio State led, 33–0, at halftime in the one-sided contest. Minnesota running back Garry White fumbled twice, and quarterback Tim Salem threw three interceptions to help the Buckeyes' cause. After the game, Ohio State remained ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.

Arizona State

• Source: Palm Beach Post

On September 27, Ohio State (AP No. 2) defeated Arizona State (AP No. 20), 38–21, before a crowd of 88,097 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Art Schlichter accounted for 310 yards of total offense, including 271 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Doug Donley caught six passes for 133 yard and two touchdowns. Ohio State totaled 591 yards of total offense, and Arizona State had 440 yards.

UCLA

On October 4, Ohio State (AP No. 2) was shut out by UCLA (AP No. 11), 17–0. UCLA held Ohio State scoreless for the first time in the Buckeyes' last 25 games. Ohio State fell to No. 9 in the following week's AP Poll.

At Northwestern

On October 11, Ohio State defeated Northwestern, 63–0, before a homecoming crowd of 29,375 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston. Ohio State led, 42-0, at halftime. Ohio State had 575 total yards, including 418 rushing yards. Calvin Murray had 120 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. The night before the game, Northwestern coach was served with a lawsuit filed by 22 African American players alleging racial discrimination.

Indiana

On October 18, Ohio State (AP No. 9) defeated Indiana, 27–17, in Columbus. Ohio State running back Calvin Murray rushed for 224 yards, the fourth highest single-game tally in Ohio State history to that time, on 35 carries and scored two touchdowns on his 22nd birthday. Mike Harkrader rushed for 117 yards on 18 carries for the Hoosiers. Harkrader became the seventh leading rusher in Big Ten history with 3,034 yards.

Wisconsin

On October 25, Ohio State (AP No. 10) defeated Wisconsin, 21–0, in Madison. Wisconsin's defense held Art Schlichter to 89 passing yards, but Ohio State scored touchdowns after two Wisconsin fumbles and an interception. After the game, Wisconsin coach Dave McClain said, "You can't make that many mistakes. I've never been so frustrated with the mistakes."

At Michigan State

On November 1, Ohio State (AP No. 9) defeated Michigan State, 48–16, in front of a crowd of 77,153 persons at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Ohio State tallied 603 total yards in the game, and the Buckeyes' 48 points was the most allowed by Michigan State since 1976.

Illinois

On November 8, Ohio State (AP No. 7) narrowly defeated Illinois, 49–42, in Columbus. Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson set an NCAA single-season record with 621 passing yards. Art Schlichter threw four touchdown passes and broke the Ohio State career total yards record previously held by Archie Griffin.

At Iowa

On November 15, Ohio State easily defeated Iowa, 41–7, in Iowa City. Art Schlichter threw two touchdown passes, and Calvin Murray rushed for 183 yards to lead the Buckeyes.

Michigan

First quarter

• No scoring Second quarter
• OSU – Vlade Janakievski 33-yard field goal, 12:14. ''Ohio State 3–0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:25'''''
• MICH – Ali Haji-Sheikh 43-yard field goal, 6:26. ''Tie 3–3. '''Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:17.''''' Third quarter
• MICH – Anthony Carter 13-yard pass from John Wangler (kick failed), 5:00. ''Michigan 9–3. '''Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 6:50.''''' '''Fourth quarter''''
• No scoring ;Top passers
• MICH – John Wangler – 11/22, 120 yards, TD, 2 INT
• OSU – Art Schlichter – 8/26, 130 yards, INT ;Top rushers
• MICH – Butch Woolfolk – 31 rushes, 141 yards
• OSU – Tim Spencer – 11 rushes, 55 yards ;Top receivers
• MICH – Anthony Carter – 4 receptions, 47 yards, TD
• OSU – Gary Williams – 4 receptions, 50 yards

On November 22, Ohio State (AP No. 5) and Michigan (AP No. 10) met in their annual rivalry game to determine the Big Ten championship. The game was played before a record crowd of 88,827 fans at Ohio Stadium and matched the conference's top scoring offense (Ohio State) against the top scoring defense (Michigan). Michigan prevailed, defeating the Buckeyes by a 9–3 score. Michigan's only touchdown came late in the third quarter on a pass from John Wangler to Anthony Carter. Ali Haji-Sheikh missed the extra point and also missed two field goal attempts. Big Ten rushing leader Calvin Murray was held to 38 yards on 14 carries. Ohio State had a chance to win late in the fourth quarter, as Art Schlichter completed a 28-yard pass to the Michigan 32-yard line with less than a minute to play. Schlichter was penalized for intentional grounding and was sacked on the next play with 13 seconds left on the clock. Michigan extended its streak of not having allowed a touchdown to 18 quarters and 274 minutes.

Vs. Penn State (Fiesta Bowl)

Main article: 1980 Fiesta Bowl

Personnel

Coaching staff

• Earle Bruce – Head coach – 2nd year
• Dennis Fryzel – Defensive coordinator (2nd year)
• Glen Mason – Offensive coordinator (3rd year)
• Bill Myles – Offensive line (4th year)
• Nick Saban – Defensive backs (1st year)
• Wayne Stanley – Running backs (2nd year)
• Steve Szabo – Defensive line (2nd year)
• Bob Tucker – Defensive outside linebackers (2nd year)
• Fred Zechman – Quarterbacks/receivers (2nd year)

Roster

• Nick Saban (DB)

Depth chart

References

References

1. "1980 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC.
2. "1980 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". Sports Reference LLC.
3. (December 2, 1980). "Herrmann All-Big Ten Quarterback". The Blade, Toledo, Ohio (AP story).
4. (December 2, 1980). "Herrmann Finally On All-Big Ten Unit". Kentucky New Era (AP story).
5. (November 25, 1980). "College Football: All-Big Ten". Detroit Free Press.
6. (September 14, 1980). "Top-rankes Ohio State rallies to beat Syracuse". The South Bend Tribune.
7. (September 21, 1980). "Ohio State destroys Minnesota". The Anniston Star.
8. (September 28, 1980). "No. 2 Buckeyes roll on". The Des Moines Register.
9. (October 5, 1980). "UCLA brings Buckeyes back to earth". Wisconsin State Journal.
10. (October 12, 1980). "Buckeyes bomb Northwestern 63–0". Star Tribune.
11. (October 19, 1980). "Murray's output sparks Ohio State". Wisconsin State Journal.
12. (October 26, 1980). "Schlichter leads OSU over Badgers". The Ironton Tribune.
13. (November 2, 1980). "Schlichter is red-hot; Bucks crush Spartans". The Lima News.
14. (November 9, 1980). "Buckeyes edge Illini, 49–42". The Kokomo Tribune.
15. (November 16, 1980). "Ohio State rips Iowa, awaits Michigan". The Times Recorder.
16. (November 23, 1980). "Michigan shuts down Ohio State, Rose Bowl next". The Burlington Free Press.
17. (December 27, 1980). "Penn State 2nd half buries Ohio State". The Arizona Republic.
18. Rudy Martzke. (September 14, 1980). "Ohio St. survives Syracuse scare, 31–21". Democrat and Chronicle.
19. (September 21, 1980). "OSU slams Gophers, 47–0". Detroit Free Press.
20. Jack Patterson. (September 28, 1980). "Schlichter's star on the rise". Akron Beacon Journal.
21. (October 5, 1980). "UCLA wins its 'Rose Bowl,' staggers Ohio State 17–0". The Courier-Journal.
22. "1980 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC.
23. (October 12, 1980). "Buckeyes' 63-0 romp just an athletic farce". The Akron Beacon Journal.
24. (October 19, 1980). "Murray's Birthday No Party For I.U.". The Indianapolis Star.
25. (October 26, 1980). "Game Badgers finally self-destruct". Green Bay Post-Gazette.
26. Charlie Vincent. (November 2, 1980). "Spartans buried, 48–16, by Buckeyes". Detroit Free Press.
27. (November 9, 1980). "OSU survives brilliant Wilson, 49–42". Detroit Free Press.
28. (November 16, 1980). "Bucks rip Iowa, await UM invasion". Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune.
29. Mick McCabe. (November 23, 1980). "Defense takes U-M to Pasadena: Buckeyes throttled in a 9–3 thriller". Detroit Free Press.
30. (November 23, 1980). "Yesterday's game brings back Snow Bowl memories". Chronicle-Telegram.
31. Jerry Rombach. (November 23, 1980). "Bucks headed west, but to wrong game". Chronicle-Telegram.
32. "1980 Fiesta Bowl - Penn State vs. Ohio State".
33. 1981 Ohio State Football Media Guide