The 1979 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University in the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. The Buckeyes compiled an 11–1 record, including the 1980 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where they lost, 17–16, to the USC Trojans.
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 8 | 1:30 p.m. | Syracuse* | | | | W 31–8 | 86,205 | [1] |
September 15 | 2:30 p.m. | at Minnesota | No. 15 | | | W 21–17 | 43,926 | [2] |
September 22 | 1:30 p.m. | Washington State* | No. 16 | | | W 45–29 | 87,495 | [3] |
September 29 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 17 UCLA* | No. 14 | | ABC | W 17–13 | 47,228 | [4] |
October 6 | 1:30 p.m. | Northwestern | No. 8 | | | W 16–7 | 87,406 | [5] |
October 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Indiana | No. 8 | | | W 47–6 | 87,521 | [6] |
October 20 | 1:30 p.m. | Wisconsin | No. 6 | | | W 59–0 | 87,585 | [7] |
October 27 | 1:30 p.m. | Michigan State | No. 4 | | | W 42–0 | 87,747 | [8] |
November 3 | 2:00 p.m. | at Illinois | No. 5 | | | W 44–7 | 41,870 | [9] |
November 10 | 1:00 p.m. | Iowa | No. 3 | | | W 34–7 | 87,835 | [10] |
November 17 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 13 Michigan | No. 2 | | ABC | W 18–15 | 106,255 | [11] |
January 1, 1980 | 5:00 p.m. | vs. No. 3 USC* | No. 1 | | NBC | L 16–17 | 105,526 | [12] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
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[13]
Roster
1979 Ohio State Buckeyes football team roster
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Players
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Coaches
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Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
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Depth chart
Defense
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CB
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Mike Guess
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Doyle Lewis
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DE
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NT
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DE
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Jerome Foster
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Tim Sawicki
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Luther Henson
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Reggie Echols
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Mark Sullivan
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Gary Dulin
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Offense
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SE
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Gary Williams
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Chuck Hunter
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LT
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LG
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C
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RG
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RT
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Tim Burke
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Ernie Andria
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Tom Waugh
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Ken Fritz
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Joe Lukens
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Tom Levenick
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Scott Burris
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Jim DeLeone
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Joe Smith
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Tom Levenick
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TE
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Brad Dwelle
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Bill Jaco
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Ron Barwig
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FB
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Ricardo Volley
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Paul Campbell
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Cliff Belmer
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[14]
Coaching staff
- Earle Bruce - Head Coach (1st year)
- Pete Carroll - Defensive Backs (1st year)
- Dennis Fryzel - Defensive Coordinator (1st year)
- Glen Mason - Offensive Line / Defensive Inside Linebackers (2nd year)
- Bill Myles - Offensive Line (3rd year)
- Wayne Stanley - Running Backs (1st year)
- Steve Szabo - Defensive Line (1st year)
- Bob Tucker - Defensive Outside Linebackers (1st year)
- Fred Zechman - Quarterbacks/Receivers (1st year)
[15]
Game summaries
Syracuse
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Syracuse |
0 |
0 | 8 | 0 |
8 |
• Ohio St |
7 |
14 | 3 | 7 |
31 |
- Date: September 8
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:46
- Game attendance: 86,205
- Game weather: Partly cloudy; 67 °F (19 °C); wind 10–15 mph (16–24 km/h) N
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 2:49 | OHST | Barwig 11 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 7–0 |
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Q2 | 13:32 | OHST | Campbell 3 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 14–0 |
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Q2 | 7:18 | OHST | Murray 2 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 21–0 |
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Q3 | 6:32 | OHST | Janakievski 22 yard field goal | OHST 24–0 |
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Q3 | :23 | SYR | Hurley 3 yard run (McCollum run) | OHST 24–8 |
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Q4 | 7:51 | OHST | Gayle 29 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 31–8 |
[16]
Minnesota
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio St |
7 |
0 | 6 | 8 |
21 |
Minnesota |
14 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
17 |
- Date: September 15
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:36
- Game attendance: 43,926
- Game weather: Sunny; 68 °F (20 °C); wind 8 mph (13 km/h) SE
- Referee: Otho Kertz
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 12:20 | MINN | White 29 yard run (kick blocked) | MINN 6–0 |
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Q1 | 5:45 | MINN | White 16 yard pass from Carlson (Bourquin pass from Carlson) | MINN 14–0 |
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Q1 | 2:48 | OHST | Hicks 39 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | MINN 14–7 |
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Q2 | :07 | MINN | Rogind 44 yard field goal | MINN 17–7 |
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Q3 | 7:24 | OHST | Murray 1 yard run (kick failed) | MINN 17–13 |
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Q4 | 12:42 | OHST | Schlichter 32 yard run (Jaco pass from Schlichter) | OHST 21–17 |
[17]
Washington State
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Wash St |
3 |
0 | 10 | 16 |
29 |
• Ohio St |
7 |
17 | 7 | 14 |
45 |
- Date: September 22
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:46
- Game attendance: 87,495
- Game weather: Overcast; 64 °F (18 °C); wind 10–20 mph (16–32 km/h) NE
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 9:49 | WSU | DeSanto 47 yard field goal | WSU 3–0 |
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Q1 | 3:46 | OHST | Schlichter 5 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 7–3 |
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Q2 | 5:18 | OHST | Murray 13 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 14–3 |
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Q2 | 2:51 | OHST | Janakievski 30 yard field goal | OHST 17–3 |
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Q2 | 1:27 | OHST | Hicks recovered blocked punt in end zone (Jankievski kick) | OHST 24–3 |
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Q3 | 13:22 | WSU | Whatley 12 yard pass from Grant (DeSanto kick) | OHST 24–10 |
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Q3 | 2:27 | WSU | DeSanto 41 yard field goal | OHST 24–13 |
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Q3 | :58 | OHST | Murray 86 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 31–13 |
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Q4 | 13:52 | WSU | Wilson 11 yard pass from Grant (Beach pass from Grant) | OHST 31–21 |
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Q4 | 11:25 | OHST | Murray 8 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 38–21 |
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Q4 | 5:53 | WSU | Wilson 11 yard pass from Grant (Grant run) | OHST 38–29 |
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Q4 | 3:13 | OHST | Donley 29 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 45–29 |
[18]
The longest pass in school history to date, an 86-yard bomb from Art Schlichter to Calvin Murray, helped propel Ohio State to a 45-29 win over Washington State. The previous record was an 80-yard pass from Joe Sparma to Bob Klein in 1961 versus Michigan.[19]
UCLA
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio St |
0 |
7 | 3 | 7 |
17 |
UCLA |
10 |
0 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
- Date: September 29
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Game start: 1:00 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:46
- Game attendance: 47,228
- Game weather: Cloudy; 71 °F (22 °C); light wind SW
- Referee: Bill Love
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 8:27 | UCLA | Curren 10 yard pass from Bashore (Boermeester kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
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Q1 | :52 | UCLA | Boermeester 27 yard field goal | UCLA 10–0 |
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Q2 | 4:53 | OHST | Murray 34 yard run (Janakievski kick) | UCLA 10–7 |
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Q3 | 5:46 | OHST | Janakievski 24 yard field goal | Tie 10–10 |
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Q4 | 11:00 | UCLA | Boermeester 39 yard field goal | UCLA 13–10 |
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Q4 | :46 | OHST | Campbell 2 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 17–13 |
[20]
Northwestern
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Northwestern |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
• Ohio St |
10 |
3 | 0 | 3 |
16 |
- Date: October 6
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:41
- Game attendance: 87,406
- Game weather: Partly cloudy; 58 °F (14 °C); wind 10–20 mph (16–32 km/h) SW
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 12:51 | OHST | Janakievski 26 yard field goal | OHST 3–0 |
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Q1 | 10:03 | OHST | Dwelle 4 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 10–0 |
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Q2 | 6:00 | OHST | Janakievski 26 yard field goal | OHST 13–0 |
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Q4 | 14:58 | NW | Mishler 1 yard run (Poulos kick) | OHST 13–7 |
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Q4 | 8:01 | OHST | Atha 50 yard field goal | OHST 16–7 |
[21]
[22]
Indiana
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Indiana |
0 |
0 | 6 | 0 |
6 |
• Ohio St |
9 |
17 | 14 | 7 |
47 |
- Date: October 13
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:48
- Game attendance: 87,251
- Game weather: Cloudy; 44 °F (7 °C); wind 15 mph (24 km/h) NW
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 11:38 | OHST | Campbell 2 yard run (kick failed) | OHST 6–0 |
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Q1 | 5:51 | OHST | Janakievski 32 yard field goal | OHST 9–0 |
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Q2 | 11:23 | OHST | Janakievski 35 yard field goal | OHST 12–0 |
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Q2 | 3:50 | OHST | Campbell 3 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 19–0 |
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Q2 | :28 | OHST | Donley 21 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 26–0 |
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Q3 | 11:22 | OHST | Volley 2 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 33–0 |
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Q3 | 7:14 | OHST | Schlichter 5 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 40–0 |
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Q3 | :57 | IND | Clifford 2 yard run (run failed) | OHST 40–6 |
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Q4 | 3:58 | OHST | Hicks 11 yard pass from Castignola (Janakievski kick) | OHST 47–6 |
[23]
Wisconsin
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Wisconsin |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Ohio St |
14 |
14 | 10 | 21 |
59 |
- Date: October 20
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:48
- Game attendance: 87,585
- Game weather: Sunny; 77 °F (25 °C); wind 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h) S
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 11:59 | OHST | Schlichter 4 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 7–0 |
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Q1 | 2:15 | OHST | Hunter 14 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 14–0 |
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Q2 | 10:28 | OHST | Williams 20 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 21–0 |
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Q2 | 8:16 | OHST | Schlichter 2 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 28–0 |
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Q3 | 7:35 | OHST | Janakievski 19 yard field goal | OHST 31–0 |
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Q3 | 6:39 | OHST | Ellis 27 yard interception return (Janakievski kick) | OHST 38–0 |
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Q4 | 10:51 | OHST | Castignola 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 45–0 |
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Q4 | 2:23 | OHST | Spencer 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 52–0 |
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Q4 | :37 | OHST | Lindsey 38 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 59–0 |
[24]
Michigan State
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Michigan St |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Ohio St |
14 |
14 | 7 | 7 |
42 |
- Date: October 27
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:35
- Game attendance: 87,747
- Game weather: Mostly sunny; 53 °F (12 °C); wind 10–15 mph (16–24 km/h) S
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 11:49 | OHST | Donley 53 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 7–0 |
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Q1 | 2:48 | OHST | Donley 12 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 14–0 |
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Q2 | 13:30 | OHST | Schlichter 3 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 21–0 |
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Q2 | 2:12 | OHST | Volley 32 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 28–0 |
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Q3 | 4:58 | OHST | Schlichter 6 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 35–0 |
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Q4 | 3:11 | OHST | Castignola 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 42–0 |
[25]
Illinois
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Ohio St |
3 |
14 | 10 | 17 |
44 |
Illinois |
0 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
7 |
- Date: November 3
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- Game attendance: 41,870
- Game weather: Clear; 51 °F (11 °C); wind 9 mph (14 km/h) NW
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 8:36 | OHST | Janakievski 47 yard field goal | OHST 3–0 |
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Q2 | 14:18 | OHST | Murray 4 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 10–0 |
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Q2 | 2:22 | OHST | Bell 16 yard blocked punt return (Janakievski kick) | OHST 17–0 |
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Q3 | 11:52 | OHST | Campbell 3 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 24–0 |
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Q3 | 6:49 | OHST | Janakievski 36 yard field goal | OHST 27–0 |
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Q3 | 4:00 | ILL | Boeke 10 yard pass from McCullough (Jones kick) | OHST 27–7 |
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Q4 | 10:46 | OHST | Schlichter 4 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 34–7 |
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Q4 | 8:42 | OHST | Janakievski 51 yard field goal | OHST 37–7 |
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Q4 | 2:13 | OHST | Dwelle 4 yard pass from Castignola (Janakievski kick) | OHST 44–7 |
[26]
Iowa
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Iowa |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
• Ohio St |
13 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
34 |
- Date: November 10
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game start: 1:30 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:51
- Game attendance: 87,835
- Game weather: Cloudy; 41 °F (5 °C); wind 10–20 mph (16–32 km/h) NW
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 5:55 | OHST | Schlichter 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 7–0 |
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Q1 | 3:18 | OHST | Janakievski 35 yard field goal | OHST 10–0 |
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Q1 | 1:38 | OHST | Janakievski 29 yard field goal | OHST 13–0 |
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Q2 | 8:56 | OHST | Volley 1 yard run (Jankievski kick) | OHST 20–0 |
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Q2 | 6:40 | OHST | Donley 33 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | OHST 27–0 |
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Q4 | 12:16 | OHST | Spencer 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) | OHST 34–0 |
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Q4 | 4:07 | IOWA | Chappelle 40 yard pass from Gales (Roby kick) | OHST 34–7 |
[27]
At Michigan
Ohio State clinched the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl with an 18-15 victory over their archrivals. The Buckeyes had not beaten nor scored a touchdown against Michigan since 1975, the last time they had gone to Pasadena.[28]
Scoring summary
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Quarter
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Time
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Drive
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Team
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Scoring information
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Score
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Plays
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Yards
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TOP
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OSU
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MICH
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2
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3:48
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Ohio St
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23-yard field goal by Janakievski
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3
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0
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2
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1:30
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Michigan
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Carter 59-yard touchdown reception from Wangler, Virgil kick good
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3
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7
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2
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0:08
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Ohio St
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25-yard field goal by Janakievski
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6
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7
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3
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7:19
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Ohio St
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Hunter 18-yard touchdown reception from Schlichter, 2-point pass failed/incomplete
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12
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7
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3
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3:58
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Michigan
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Smith 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point run good
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12
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15
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4
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11:21
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Ohio St
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Blocked punt returned 18 yards for touchdown by Bell, Janakievski kick failed
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18
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15
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"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
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18
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15
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Rose Bowl
1980 Rose Bowl
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• USC |
3 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
17 |
Ohio St |
0 |
10 | 3 | 3 |
16 |
- Date: January 1
- Location: Rose Bowl
- Game start: 2:00 p.m.
- Game attendance: 105,526
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen, O.J. Simpson
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 4:37 | USC | Hipp 41 yard field goal | USC 3–0 |
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Q2 | 9:11 | USC | Williams 53 yard pass from McDonald (Hipp kick) | USC 10-0 |
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Q2 | 3:10 | OHST | Janakievski 35 yard field goal | USC 10–3 |
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Q2 | :21 | OHST | Murray 67 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) | Tie 10–10 |
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Q3 | 10:53 | OSU | Janakievski 37 yard field goal | OHST 13–10 |
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Q4 | 9:42 | OHST | Janakievski 24 yard field goal | OSU 16-10 |
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Q4 | 1:32 | USC | White 1 yard run (Hipp kick) | USC 17–16 |
[29]
References
- ^ "Buckeyes make Bruce's debut a happy one". The Lima News. September 9, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck-passer Schlichter spoils Gopher ambush". The Cincinnati Enquirer. September 16, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Easy win for Ohio State". The Pantagraph. September 23, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Schlichter rallies Ohio St. past UCLA". Staten Island Advance. September 30, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ohio State survives Northwestern scare". Journal and Courier. October 7, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ohio State quarterback leads romp over Indiana". The Pantagraph. October 14, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ohio State tramples Wisconsin in Big Ten". The Pantagraph. October 21, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ohio State rolls by Spartans 42–0". The Tampa Tribune-Times. October 28, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buckeyes storm past Illini, 44–7". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buckeyes rout Iowa 34–7". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. November 11, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bucks edge Wolves, 18–15; Clinch title". The Times Recorder. November 18, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "White carries Southern Cal over Ohio State". The Pittsburgh Press. January 2, 1980. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1979 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ 1980 Ohio State Football Media Guide
- ^ "1980 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-14.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2014-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-14.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1979 Sept 23.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2014-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-16.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
- ^ "Buckeyes Win in Struggle." Palm Beach Post. 1979 Oct 7.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
- ^ "1979-08-Michigan State" (PDF). Ohio State Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
- ^ Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
- ^ "Woody's successor takes Bucks to Pasadena." Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
- ^ "Ohio State Spring Football Media Guide" (PDF). 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2020.
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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 |