1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football
Fiesta Bowl, L 19–31 vs. Penn State
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 15
AP	No. 15
1980 record	9–3 (7–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	Earle Bruce (2nd year)
MVP	Calvin Murray
Captain	Doug Donley
Captain	Ray Ellis
Captain	Keith Ferguson
Captain	Calvin Murray
Home stadium	Ohio Stadium (Capacity: 83,112)

1980 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
#4 Michigan $	8	–	0	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
#15 Ohio State	7	–	1	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
#17 Purdue	7	–	1	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
Iowa	4	–	4	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Minnesota	4	–	5	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Indiana	3	–	5	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Wisconsin	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Illinois	3	–	5	–	0			3	–	7	–	1
Michigan State	2	–	6	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Northwestern	0	–	9	–	0			0	–	11	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented Ohio State University during the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second season under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes began the season ranked No. 1 in the pre-season AP Poll. They finished in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), compiled a 9–3 (7–1 against Big Ten opponents), lost to Penn State in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, were ranked No. 15 in the final AP Poll, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 387 to 181.^[1] The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Art Schlichter with 1,930 passing yards, running back Calvin Murray with 1,267 rushing yards, wide receiver Doug Donley with 887 receiving yards, and placekicker Vlade Janakievski with 90 points scored.^[2] Several Ohio State players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following:

• Calvin Murray led the Big Ten with 1,267 rushing yards, 1,471 yards from scrimmage, and 6.5 yards per rushing attempt.^[3]
• Vlade Janakievski led the Big Ten with 90 points scored and 45 extra points made, and ranked second with 15 field goals made and a 68.2 field goal percentage.^[3]
• Doug Donley led the Big Ten with 20.6 yard per reception and ranked fifth with 887 receiving yards.^[3]
• Art Schlichter ranked second in the Big Ten with a 139.7 passing efficiency rating, 8.5 yards per pass attempt, and 22 total touchdowns, and third with 1,930 passing yards, a 54.0 pass completion percentage, and 2,255 total yards.^[3]
• Tim Spencer ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 5.3 yards per rushing attempt and eight rushing touchdowns.^[3]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 13	1:30 p.m.	Syracuse*	No. 1	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH		W 31–21	86,643
September 20	1:30 p.m.	Minnesota	No. 2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	W 47–0	87,916
September 27	1:30 p.m.	No. 20 Arizona State*	No. 2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH		W 38–21	88,097
October 4	1:30 p.m.	No. 11 UCLA*	No. 2	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH	ABC	L 0–17	88,084
October 11	2:00 p.m.	at Northwestern	No. 9	Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL		W 63–0	29,375
October 18	1:30 p.m.	Indiana	No. 9	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH		W 27–17	87,957
October 25	2:30 p.m.	at Wisconsin	No. 10	Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI		W 21–0	79,253
November 1	1:00 p.m.	at Michigan State	No. 9	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI		W 48–16	77,153
November 8	1:30 p.m.	Illinois	No. 7	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH (Illibuck Trophy)		W 49–42	87,952
November 15	2:00 p.m.	at Iowa	No. 7	Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA		W 41–7	59,890
November 22	12:30 p.m.	No. 10 Michigan	No. 5	Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH (The Game)	ABC	L 3–9	88,827
December 26	3:00 p.m.	vs. No. 10 Penn State*	No. 11	Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl/Rivalry)	NBC	L 19–31	66,738
*Non-conference game. ^#Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.

Depth chart

Defense FS Bob Murphy Rod Gorley WLB ILB ILB SLB Al Washington Glen Cobb Marcus Marek Keith Ferguson Mike D'Andrea John Epitropoulos ⋅ Ben Lee ROV Todd Bell Shaun Gayle CB Vince Skillings ⋅ DE NT DE Jerome Foster Mark Sullivan Chris Riehm Reggie Echols Nick Miller Tony Megaro CB Ray Ellis Norm Burrows Offense SE Gary Williams Thad Jemison LT LG C RG RT Joe Smith Scott Burris Jim DeLeone Joe Lukens Luther Henson ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ TE Brad Dwelle Ron Barwig FL Doug Donley Cedric Anderson QB Art Schlichter Bob Atha FB Tim Spencer Vaughn Broadnax Special Teams PK Vlade Janakievski P Tom Orosz LS John Hutchings RB Calvin Murray Jimmy Gayle

^[4]

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)

Game notes

Syracuse

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.^[5] After the close game with Syracuse, Ohio State dropped to No. 2 in the AP Poll as Alabama took over the No. 1 spot.^[1]

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.^[6] After the game, Ohio State remained ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.^[1]

Arizona State

1 2 3 4 Total Arizona St 0 0 7 14 21 • Ohio State 3 21 7 7 38 Date: September 27 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game attendance: 88,097 Source: Palm Beach Post

Scoring summary 1 OHST Janakievski 20 yard field goal OHST 3-0 2 OHST Donley 23 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) OHST 10-0 2 OHST Spencer 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 17-0 2 OHST Murray 1 yard run (Janakievski kick) OHST 24-0 3 ASU Weathers 3 yard pass from Pagel (Lewis kick) OHST 24-7 3 OHST Donley 10 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) OHST 31-7 4 ASU Caldwell 46 yard blocked punt return (Lewis kick) OHST 31-14 4 OHST Williams 13 yard pass from Schlichter (Janakievski kick) OHST 38-14 4 ASU Mistler 12 yard pass from Pagel (Lewis kick) OHST 38-21

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.^[7]

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.^[8] Ohio State fell to No. 9 in the following week's AP Poll.^[9]

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.^[10]

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.^[11]

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."^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14]

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.^[15]

Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan 0 3 6 0 9 Ohio State 0 3 0 0 3 Date: November 22 Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH Game attendance: 88,827

Scoring summary 2 12:11 OSU Vlade Janakievski 33-yard field goal OSU 3-0 2 MICH Ali Haji-Sheikh 43-yard field goal Tied 3-3 3 MICH Anthony Carter 13-yard pass from John Wangler (kick failed) MICH 9-3

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.^[16] Michigan extended its streak of not having allowed a touchdown to 18 quarters and 274 minutes.^[17][18]

Fiesta Bowl

1980 Fiesta Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Ohio State 6 13 0 0 19 • Penn State 7 3 7 14 31 Date: December 26 Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ Game attendance: 66,738 Television network: NBC

Scoring summary 1 PSU Curt Warner 64-yard run (Herb Menhardt kick) PSU 7-0 1 OSU Doug Donley 23-yard pass from Art Schlichter (kick failed) PSU 7-6 2 OSU Gary Williams 13-yard pass from Art Schlichter (kick failed) OSU 7-12 2 OSU Doug Donley 19-yard pass from Art Schlichter (Bob Atha kick) OSU 7-19 2 PSU Herb Menhardt 38-field goal OSU 10-19 3 PSU Todd Blackledge 3-yard run (Herb Menhardt kick) OSU 17-19 4 PSU Jonathan Williams 4-yard run (Herb Menhardt kick) PSU 24-19 4 PSU Booker Moore 37-yard run (Herb Menhardt kick) PSU 31-19

^[19]

References

1. "1980 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
2. "1980 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
3. "1980 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
4. 1981 Ohio State Football Media Guide
5. Rudy Martzke (September 14, 1980). "Ohio St. survives Syracuse scare, 31–21". Democrat and Chronicle. pp. 1E, 6E.
6. "OSU slams Gophers, 47–0". Detroit Free Press. September 21, 1980. p. 1G, 5G.
7. Jack Patterson (September 28, 1980). "Schlichter's star on the rise". Akron Beacon Journal. p. C1.
8. "UCLA wins its 'Rose Bowl,' staggers Ohio State 17–0". The Courier-Journal. October 5, 1980. p. C10.
9. "1980 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
10. "Buckeyes' 63-0 romp just an athletic farce". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 12, 1980. pp. B1, B6.
11. "Murray's Birthday No Party For I.U.". The Indianapolis Star. October 19, 1980. p. 4-1.
12. "Game Badgers finally self-destruct". Green Bay Post-Gazette. October 26, 1980. pp. D1–D2.
13. Charlie Vincent (November 2, 1980). "Spartans buried, 48–16, by Buckeyes". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1H, 8H.
14. "OSU survives brilliant Wilson, 49–42". Detroit Free Press. November 9, 1980. p. 7G.
15. "Bucks rip Iowa, await UM invasion". Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune. November 16, 1980. p. 27.
16. Mick McCabe (November 23, 1980). "Defense takes U-M to Pasadena: Buckeyes throttled in a 9–3 thriller". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1H, 12H.
17. "Yesterday's game brings back Snow Bowl memories". Chronicle-Telegram. November 23, 1980.
18. Jerry Rombach (November 23, 1980). "Bucks headed west, but to wrong game". Chronicle-Telegram.
19. http://www.fiestabowl.org/tostitos-fiesta-bowl/tostitos-fiesta-bowl-game-history/game-results-recaps/1980-fiesta-bowl.php.