Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: '68 edition of Buckeyes to celebrate super season
Early in his coaching career, Woody Hayes was reluctant to use sophomores in the starting lineup because of their inexperience. He completely changed that philosophy in 1968, when 17 different sophomores started one or more games.
This special team far exceeded most fans' expectations and captured Ohio State's first national title in 11 seasons
The Buckeyes opened on Sept. 28 that season with a 35-14 victory over Southern Methodist, coached by Hayden Fry. The Mustangs completed 40 of 76 passes for 437 yards but were intercepted five times deep in Buckeyes territory, ending drives at the Ohio State 12-, 19-, 18-, 2- and 20-yard line.
Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern led the offense like an experienced senior rather than a first-game sophomore.
Two weeks later Ohio State opened its Big Ten schedule against powerful Purdue, the preseason pick for a second consecutive conference title. Remembering an embarrassing 41-6 loss exactly 52 weeks earlier, the Buckeyes had been pointing to this game against the nation's top ranked team. Purdue, with highly talented halfback Leroy Keyes and quarterback Mike Phipps, was a 13-point favorite.
Although Ohio State advanced deep into Purdue territory three times, the first half was scoreless. Early in the third quarter, with Phipps throwing under heavy pressure, cornerback Ted Provost intercepted a pass and scampered 35 yards for one of Ohio Stadium's most celebrated touchdowns. Quarterback Bill Long scored from 14 yards to conclude the scoring and make it 13-0.
Fullback Jim Otis led the Buckeyes attack with 144 yards on 29 carries. Cornerback Jack Tatum was magnificent, especially with his defense of Keyes, who was held to just 19 yards rushing. The Boilermakers were held scoreless for the first time in 24 games.
The season's closest call was a hard-fought 25-20 victory over visiting Michigan State on Nov. 2. The Buckeyes defense clearly was the difference that afternoon, intercepting three passes and recovering four Spartans fumbles.
In the regular-season finale, Ohio State spotted Michigan an early 7-0 lead before scoring three times to lead 21-14 at halftime. The Buckeyes shut out the Wolverines 29-0 in the second half to roll to 50-14 victory. Seldom has Ohio State outplayed an opponent so convincingly for an entire half.
The top-ranked Buckeyes faced second-ranked Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Trailing 10-0 midway through the second quarter, Ohio State responded with 27 straight points. Kern threw scoring passes to Leo Hayden (4 yards) and Ray Gillian (16 yards) in the final quarter. The Trojans scored a controversial touchdown with 45 seconds remaining to make the final score 27-16.
Offensive tackles Dave Foley and Rufus Mayes were named All-Americans, and linebacker Mark Stier was selected the team's most valuable player. Woody Hayes didn't stay long to savor the victory; he quickly departed for one of his many self-financed visits with U.S. troops in Vietnam.
The 1968 Buckeyes were a great team that gave OSU fans many happy memories. But the finest indication of the players' greatness came at their 20th anniversary, in 1988, when they presented their university with a $1.2 million endowment in memory of their beloved coach.
10-0 overall, 7-0 in Big Ten, National Champions
Head coach: Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes
Captains: David Foley, Mark H. Stier, Dirk J. Worden
All-Americans: David Foley (OT), Rufus L. Mayes (OT)
All Big Ten: Dave Foley (OT), Rufus Mayes (OT), Ted Provost (HB), Jack Tatum (CB)
Academic All-American: David Foley (OT), Mark H. Stier (LB)
Academic All Big Ten: Dave Foley (OT), John Muhlbach (C), Mark Stier (LB)
Victories:
Sept. 28: OSU 35, SMU 14
Oct. 5: OSU 21, Oregon 6
Oct. 12: OSU 13, Purdue 0
Oct. 19: OSU 45, Northwestern 21
Oct. 26: OSU 31, Illinois 24
Nov. 2: OSU 25, Michigan State 20
Nov. 9: OSU 43, Wisconsin 8
Nov. 16: OSU 33, Iowa 27
Nov. 23: OSU 50, Michigan 14
Jan. 1: OSU 27, USC 16
1968 Buckeyes