1978 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

1978 Ohio State Buckeyes football
Gator Bowl, L 15–17 vs. Clemson
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	7–4–1 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	Woody Hayes (28th season)
Offensive coordinator	Alex Gibbs (4th season)
Defensive coordinator	George Hill (8th season)
MVP	Tom Cousineau
Captains	Byron Cato Tom Cousineau Ron Springs Tim Vogler
Home stadium	Ohio Stadium
Seasons ←  1977 1979  →

1978 Big Ten Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 5 Michigan +	7	–	1	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
No. 12 Michigan State +	7	–	1	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
No. 13 Purdue	6	–	1	–	1			9	–	2	–	1
Ohio State	6	–	2	–	0			7	–	4	–	1
Minnesota	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Wisconsin	3	–	4	–	2			5	–	4	–	2
Indiana	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Iowa	2	–	6	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
Illinois	0	–	6	–	2			1	–	8	–	2
Northwestern	0	–	8	–	1			0	–	10	–	1
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 1978 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1978 Big Ten season. In their 28th year under head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled a 7–4–1 record (6–2 in conference games), finished in fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 324 to 199. In games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 5 Penn State, No. 6 Michigan, and No. 7 Clemson in the 1978 Gator Bowl. ^[1] This was Woody Hayes' last season as head coach at Ohio State, as he was fired following an incident in the Gator Bowl in which he punched Clemson defender Charlie Bauman.

The Buckeyes gained an average of 263.3 rushing yards and 94.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 134.5 rushing yards and 151.2 passing yards per game. ^[2] The team's individual statistical leaders included quarterback Art Schlichter (1,045 passing yards, 45.8% completion percentage), running back Paul Campbell (565 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry), and wide receiver Doug Donley (21 receptions for 466 yards). ^[2] Linebacker Tom Cousineau was a consensus first-team All-American. ^[3]

The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	1:30 p.m.	No. 5 Penn State *	No. 6	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH (rivalry)	ABC	L 0–19	88,203	[4]
September 23	2:30 p.m.	at Minnesota	No. 16	Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN		W 27–10	55,200	[5]
September 30	1:30 p.m.	Baylor *	No. 13	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 34–28	87,998	[6]
October 7	1:30 p.m.	SMU *	No. 14	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		T 35–35	87,721	[7]
October 14	2:30 p.m.	at Purdue	No. 16	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN		L 16–27	69,465	[8]
October 21	1:30 p.m.	Iowa		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 31–7	87,326	[9]
October 28	1:30 p.m.	Northwestern		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 63–20	87,296	[10]
November 4	2:00 p.m.	at Wisconsin		Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI		W 49–14	79,940	[11]
November 11	1:30 p.m.	Illinois		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH (Illibuck)		W 45–7	87,819	[12]
November 18	1:30 p.m.	at Indiana	No. 19	Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN		W 21–18	47,540	[13]
November 25	12:30 p.m.	No. 6 Michigan	No. 16	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH (rivalry)	ABC	L 3–14	88,358	[14]
December 29	9:00 p.m.	vs. No. 7 Clemson *	No. 20	Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl)	ABC	L 15–17	72,011	[15]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[16]

Game summaries

Penn State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Penn St	3	0	7	9	19
Ohio St	0	0	0	0	0

• Date: September 18
• Location: Ohio Stadium
• Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Elapsed time: 2:48
• Game attendance: 88,202
• Game weather: Cloudy; 80 °F (27 °C); wind 10 mph (16 km/h) SW
• Television network: ABC

Scoring summary

Q1	9:52	PSU	Bahr 30 yard field goal	PSU 3–0
Q3	4:52	PSU	Suhey 3 yard run (Bahr kick)	PSU 10–0
Q4	13:12	PSU	Bahr 41 yard field goal	PSU 13–0
Q4	6:45	PSU	Bahr 25 yard field goal	PSU 16–0
Q4	2:53	PSU	Bahr 30 yard field goal	PSU 19–0

Art Schlichter started the game at quarterback while Rod Gerald, the starter for the two previous seasons, opened the game at split end. ^[17]

Minnesota

See also: 1978 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Ohio State Buckeyes (0–1) at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	7	14	0	6	27
Minnesota	0	0	0	7	7

at Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: September 23
• Game time: 1:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind SW 20 miles per hour (32 km/h; 17 kn)
• Game attendance: 55,200
• Referee: R. McVay

Game information
Ohio St Schlichter 3/7, 57 Yds, INT Springs 17 Rush, 82 Yds, TD Donley 2 Rec, 57 Yds Minnesota Avery 6/14, 95 Yds, 2 INT Barber 17 Rush, 57 Yds Bailey 3 Rec, 62 Yds

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Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP OSU MINN 1 11:02 6 17 3:58 Ohio St Schlichter 3-yard touchdown run, Janakievski kick good 7 0 2 14:28 10 51 Ohio St Payton 1-yard touchdown run, Janakievski kick good 14 0 2 1:31 8 54 Ohio St Schlichter 1-yard touchdown run, Janakievski kick good 21 0 2 0:04 5 58 Minnesota 39-yard field goal by Rogind 21 3 4 12:48 11 41 Ohio St Springs 3-yard touchdown run, Janakievski kick no good 27 3 4 1:41 6 17 Minnesota Dilulo 15-yard touchdown reception from Carlson, Rogind kick good 27 10 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 27 10

Wisconsin

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Ohio State	7	14	14	14	49
Wisconsin	0	7	0	7	14

• Date: November 4
• Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
• Game attendance: 79,940

Scoring summary

1		OSU	Schlichter 1-yard run (Janakievski kick)	OSU 7-0
2		OSU	Otha Watson recovered blocked punt in end zone (Janakievski kick)	OSU 14-0
2		WIS	Charles 7-yard pass from Kalasmlki (Veith kick)	OSU 14-7
2		OSU	Ty Hicks 96-yard kickoff return (Janakievski kick)	OSU 21-7
3		OSU	Skillings 61-yard interception return (Janakievski kick)	OSU 28-7
3		OSU	Murray 14-yard run (Janakievski kick)	OSU 35-7
4		OSU	Castignola 15-yard run (Janakievski kick)	OSU 42-7
4		OSU	Castignola 6-yard run (Jankievski kick)	OSU 49-7
4		WIS	Green 1-yard run (Veith kick)	OSU 49-14

^[19]

Illinois

See also: Illibuck

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Illinois	0	7	0	0	7
• Ohio St	7	7	10	21	45

• Date: November 11
• Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
• Game attendance: 87,719

Scoring summary

Q1		OHST	Schlichter 7 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 7–0
Q2		ILL	Powell 2 yard run (Finzer kick)	Tie 7–7
Q2		OHST	Schlichter 7 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 14–7
Q3		OHST	Atha 31 yard field goal	OHST 17–7
Q3		OHST	Campbell 1 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 24–7
Q4		OHST	Schlichter 5 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 31–7
Q4		OHST	Gerald 7 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 38–7
Q4		OHST	Johnson 8 yard run (Janakievski kick)	OHST 45–7

^[20]

At Indiana

See also: 1978 Indiana Hoosiers football team

Ohio State Buckeyes (6–2–1) at Indiana Hoosiers (4–5)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	7	0	7	7	21
Indiana	7	3	0	8	18

at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana

• Date: November 18, 1978
• Game weather: Overcast • 41 °F (5 °C) • Wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn) to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
• Game attendance: 47,540

Game information

First quarter OSU – Paul Campbell 3-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 10:19. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: IU – Mike Harkrader 1-yard run (David Freud kick), 2:04. Tie 7–7. Drive: Second quarter IU – David Freud 30-yard field goal, 6:52. Indiana 10–7. Drive: Third quarter OSU – Art Schlichter 3-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 2:58. Ohio St 14–10. Drive: 20 plays, 98 yards. Fourth quarter; OSU – Ricky Johnson 46-yard run (Vlade Janakievski kick), 13:13. Ohio St 21–10. Drive: 8 plays. IU – Darrick Burnett 1-yard run (pass good), 5:01. Ohio St 21–18. Drive: Top passers OSU – Art Schlichter – 4/11, 22 yards, INT IU – Tim Clifford – 10/19, 81 yards Top rushers OSU – Ricky Johnson – 18 rushes, 109 yards, TD IU – Darrick Burnett – 18 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers OSU – Ricky Johnson – 2 receptions, 9 yards IU – Dan Powers – 6 receptions, 62 yards

• Ricky Johnson played in place of the injured Ron Springs and Calvin Murray
• Woody Hayes' last victory as Ohio State's head coach

Michigan

See also: 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team and Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry

Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Michigan	7	0	7	0	14
Ohio St	3	0	0	0	3

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

• Date: November 25, 1978
• Game time: 12:56 p.m.
• Game weather: Overcast, 40 °F (4 °C)
• Game attendance: 88,358
• TV: ABC

Game information

First quarter OSU – Bob Atha 29-yard field goal, 1:13. Ohio St 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:12. MICH – Rodney Feaster 30-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick), 0:09. Michigan 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 0:59. Third quarter MICH – Roosevelt Smith 11-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick), 4:12. Michigan 14–3. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:19. Top passers MICH – Rick Leach – 11/21, 166 yards, 2 TD OSU – Art Schlichter – 4/9, 43 yards, INT Top rushers MICH – Roosevelt Smith – 10 rushes, 67 yards OSU – Ron Springs – 12 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers MICH – Doug Marsh – 2 receptions, 39 yards OSU – Rod Gerald – 1 reception, 25 yards

Gator Bowl (vs. Clemson)

Main article: 1978 Gator Bowl

See also: 1978 Clemson Tigers football team

Gator Bowl: #7 Clemson Tigers (10–1) vs. #20 Ohio State Buckeyes (7–3–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	0	9	0	6	15
Clemson	0	10	7	0	17

at Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: December 29, 1978
• Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 72,011
• Referee: Jim Artley
• TV: ABC

Game information

Second quarter OSU – Bob Atha 27-yard field goal, 12:08. Ohio St 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards. CLEM – Steve Fuller 4-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 5:03. Clemson 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards. OSU – Art Schlichter 4-yard run (kick failed), 1:21. Ohio St 9–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards. CLEM – Obed Ariri 47-yard field goal, 0:05. Clemson 10–9. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards. Third quarter CLEM – Cliff Austin 1-yard run (Ariri kick), 2:18. Clemson 17–9. Drive: 19 plays, 84 yards. Fourth quarter OSU – Art Schlichter 1-yard run (run failed), 8:11. Clemson 17–15. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards. Top passers OSU – Art Schlichter – 16/20, 205 yards, INT CLEM – Steve Fuller – 9/20, 123 yards Top rushers OSU – Art Schlichter – 18 rushes, 70 yards, 2 TD CLEM – Tracy Perry – 14 rushes, 54 yards Warren Ratchford – 10 rushes, 54 yards Top receivers OSU – Doug Donley – 3 receptions, 54 yards CLEM – Jerry Butler – 4 receptions, 44 yards

Personnel

Roster

1978 Ohio State Buckeyes football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class OL Ernie Andria TE Ron Barwig RB Cliff Belmer OL Tim Brown RB Paul Campbell QB Greg Castignola WR 47 Doug Donley So OL Keith Ferguson G 56 Ken Fritz Jr WR 8 Rod Gerald Sr RB Ty Hicks WR Chuck Hunter RB 21 Ricky Johnson TE Jimmy Moore RB Calvin Murray RB Joel Payton OL Joe Robinson OL Jim Savoca QB 10 Art Schlichter Fr RB Ron Springs  (C) QB Mike Strahine OL Tim Vogler RB Ricardo Volley OL Tom Waugh	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 25 Todd Bell So DL Byron Cato LB 36 Tom Cousineau  (C) Sr LB Kelton Dansler DL Gary Dunn CB 27 Ray Ellis So LB 65 Keith Ferguson So DB Mike Guess DL Luther Henson LB 5 Jim Laughlin Jr LB Paul Ross DB Vince Skillings DL Mark Sullivan LB Al Washington	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Bob Atha K 13 Vlade Janakievski Jr P 19 Tom Orosz So	Head coach Woody Hayes Coordinators/assistant coaches Dave Adolph George Chaump Alex Gibbs George Hill Mickey Jackson Glen Mason Bill Myles Gary Tranquill Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Depth chart

Defense FS Vince Skillings Bob Murphy WLB ILB ILB SLB Paul Ross Al Washington Tom Cousineau Kelton Dansler Jim Laughlin Tony Megaro Terry Vogler ⋅ ROV Todd Bell Duncan Griffin CB Mike Guess ⋅ DE NT DE Byron Cato Mark Sullivan Gary Dulin Joe Hornik ⋅ ⋅ CB Ray Ellis Lenny Mills Offense SE Rod Gerald ⋅ LT LG C RG RT Keith Ferguson Ken Fritz Tim Vogler Jim Savoca Joe Robinson Tim Burke Scott Burris Tom Waugh ⋅ Tim Brown TE Jimmy Moore Jim Houston FL Doug Donley ⋅ QB Art Schlichter Greg Castignola FB Paul Campbell Ricardo Volley Special teams PK Vlade Janakievski PK Bob Atha P Tom Orosz LS John Hutchings RB Ron Springs Ricky Johnson

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1979 NFL draftees

Player	Round	Pick	Position	NFL club
Tom Cousineau	1	1	Linebacker	Buffalo Bills
Ron Springs	5	136	Running Back	Dallas Cowboys
Jimmy Moore	6	150	Guard	Baltimore Colts
Joe Robinson	9	229	Tackle	Kansas City Chiefs

References

1. "1978 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
2. "1978 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
3. "Football Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2016. pp. 3, 11. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
4. "Penn State silences Ohio State's offense". Herald and Review. September 17, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
5. "Ohio State 'rushes' to victory". Sunday News. September 24, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Buckeyes win, 34–28". The Times Recorder. October 1, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
7. "SMU 'tutors' Bucks in 35–35 tie". The Lima News. October 8, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Dream comes truw: Purdue trips Ohio State". Chicago Tribune. October 15, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
9. "Hayes dots I: Bucks club Iowa". Springfield News-Sun. October 22, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
10. "Ohio State offense rolls". Journal and Courier. October 29, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Buckeyes lash Wisconsin". The Pantagraph. November 5, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
12. "Frosh tops Illini". The Belleville News-Democrat. November 12, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
13. "No romp, but Buckeyes edge IU anyway 21–18". Anderson Herald. November 19, 1978. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
14. Tom Henderson (November 26, 1978). "Leach's 2 TD passes, iron defense send Michigan to Rose Bowl, 14–3". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 6E. Retrieved October 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
15. "Woody adds punch to Gator Bowl". The Miami News. December 30, 1978. Retrieved January 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
16. "1978 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
17. Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives Archived 2015-06-21 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 2015-Jun-21.
18. "Buckeyes win by run." Eugene Register-Guard. 1978 Sept 24.
19. "Buckeyes' Defense Overcomes Badgers." Palm Beach Post. 1978 Nov 5.
20. Palm Beach Post November 12, 1978
21. 1979 Ohio State Football Media Guide