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
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 16 | 1:30 p.m. | Iowa | No. 3 | | | W 21–0 | 77,098 | |
September 30 | 1:30 p.m. | North Carolina* | No. 5 | | | W 29–14 | 86,180 | [1] |
October 7 | 4:31 p.m. | at California* | No. 3 | | | W 35–18 | 45,000 | |
October 14 | 1:30 p.m. | Illinois | No. 4 | | | W 26–7 | 86,298 | |
October 21 | 1:30 p.m. | Indiana | No. 4 | | | W 44–7 | 86,365 | |
October 28 | 2:30 p.m. | at Wisconsin | No. 4 | | | W 28–20 | 78,713 | |
November 4 | 1:30 p.m. | Minnesota | No. 5 | | | W 27–19 | 86,439 | |
November 11 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan State | No. 5 | | ABC | L 12–19 | 76,264 | |
November 18 | 2:00 p.m. | at Northwestern | No. 9 | | | W 27–14 | 34,475 | |
November 25 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 3 Michigan | No. 9 | | ABC | W 14–11 | 87,040 | [2] |
January 1, 1973 | 4:45 p.m. | vs. No. 1 USC* | No. 3 | | NBC | L 17–42 | 106,869 | |
- *Non-conference game
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
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Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Final |
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AP | 3 (4) | 3 (5) | 4 (2) | 5 (1) | 3 | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 5 (1) | 5 (1) | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
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Coaches | 4 (2) | 4 (4) | 5 (2) | 6 (1) | 4 (1) | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 3 | Not released |
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Game summaries
Iowa
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Iowa |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Ohio St |
0 |
7 | 7 | 7 |
21 |
- Date: September 16
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Game start: 1:31p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:21
- Game attendance: 77,098
- Game weather: Clear, 74 °F (23 °C)
Scoring summary |
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 |
[3]
[4]
North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels at Ohio State Buckeyes
at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Date: September 30, 1972
- Game time: 1:30 p.m.
- Game weather: Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 86,180
Game information
|
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.[5]
Archie Griffin set the school single game rushing record in just his second game.
California
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio St |
3 |
0 | 19 | 13 |
35 |
California |
0 |
9 | 3 | 6 |
18 |
Scoring summary |
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 |
[6]
Illinois
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Illinois |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
• Ohio St |
13 |
6 | 0 | 7 |
26 |
- Date: October 14
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Game start: 1:33p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:29
- Game attendance: 86,298
- Game weather: Cloudy, 59 °F (15 °C)
Scoring summary |
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 |
[7]
[8]
Indiana
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Indiana |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
• Ohio St |
14 |
3 | 14 | 13 |
44 |
- Date: October 21
- Location: Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio
- Game start: 1:32p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:18
- Game attendance: 86,365
- Game weather: Cloudy, 51 °F (11 °C)
Scoring summary |
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 |
[9]
[10]
Wisconsin
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio St |
14 |
14 | 0 | 0 |
28 |
Wisconsin |
0 |
7 | 7 | 6 |
20 |
Scoring summary |
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 |
[11]
[12]
[13]
Minnesota
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Minnesota |
13 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
19 |
• Ohio State |
7 |
14 | 0 | 6 |
27 |
- Date: November 4
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:31p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:17
- Game attendance: 86,439
- Game weather: Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
Scoring summary |
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 |
[14]
Michigan State
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Ohio State |
3 |
9 | 0 | 0 |
12 |
• Michigan State |
6 |
6 | 7 | 0 |
19 |
Scoring summary |
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 |
[15]
Northwestern
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio State |
7 |
0 | 13 | 7 |
27 |
Northwestern |
0 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
14 |
Scoring summary |
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 |
[16]
Michigan
Game information
|
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
- 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.
[17]
Vs. No. 1 USC (Rose Bowl)
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 3 Buckeyes |
0 |
7 | 3 | 7 |
17 |
• No. 1 Trojans |
7 |
0 | 21 | 14 |
42 |
Scoring summary |
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 |
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)
- [18]
Depth chart
Defense
|
FS
|
Rick Seifert
|
Rich Parsons
|
|
|
|
|
|
DE
|
DT
|
DT
|
DE
|
Van DeCree
|
Pete Cusick
|
George Hasenhorl
|
Jim Cope
|
Mike Scannell
|
Shad Williams
|
⋅
|
Tom Marendt
|
|
|
CB
|
Jeff Davis
|
John Hughes
|
|
Offense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QB
|
Greg Hare
|
Steve Morrison
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
[18]
NFL draft picks
References
- ^ "Frosh find leads Beckeyes by N.C." The Cincinnati Enquirer. October 1, 1972. Retrieved January 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Curt Sylvester (November 26, 1972). "Bye, Roses! M Loses, 14-11: Goal-Line Stands Send OSU To Bowl". Detroit Free Press. p. 1E, 7E. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Palm Beach Post. 1972 September 17.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Freshman sparkles." Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Sept 30.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 15.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 22.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 Oct 29.
- ^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1972 Oct 29.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Palm Beach Post. 1972 Nov 19.
- ^ "Everything Just Rosy for Ohio State." Palm Beach Post. 1972 Nov 26.
- ^ a b 1973 Ohio State Media Guide
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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Media | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |
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Western Conference | |
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Big Ten | |
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Big Nine | |
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Big Ten | |
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National championships in bold |