2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

Last updated

2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football
Buckeyes logo.svg
Gator Bowl, L 17–24 vs. Florida
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionLeaders Division
Record6–7 (3–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman (11th season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock (7th season)
Base defense 4–3
MVP Dan Herron
Captains
Home stadium Ohio Stadium
Seasons
  2010
2012  
2011 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Legends Division
No. 11 Michigan State x  7 1   11 3  
No. 12 Michigan  %  6 2   11 2  
No. 24 Nebraska  5 3   9 4  
Iowa  4 4   7 6  
Northwestern  3 5   6 7  
Minnesota  2 6   3 9  
Leaders Division
No. 10 Wisconsin xy$  6 2   11 3  
Penn State x  6 2   9 4  
Purdue  4 4   7 6  
Ohio State  3 5   6 7  
Illinois  2 6   7 6  
Indiana  0 8   1 11  
Championship: Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 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 2004 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by interim head coach Luke Fickell who took over after the resignation of Jim Tressel amid the Ohio State University football scandal. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–7 record (3–5 in conference games), finished in fourth place in the Big Ten's Leaders Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 318 to 273. Against ranked opponents, the Buckeyes defeated No. 16 Illinois and No. 12 Wisconsin and lost to No. 14 Nebraska, No. 21 Penn State, and No. 17 Michigan. They concluded the season with a 24–17 loss to unranked Florida in the 2012 Gator Bowl. The Buckeyes were unranked in the final Coaches and AP polls. [1] It was the first time Ohio State had finished the season with a losing record since 1988.

Contents

The Buckeyes gained an average of 191.2 rushing yards and 127.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 141.5 rushing yards and 182.0 passing yards per game. [2] Quarterback Braxton Miller led the team in both passing (1,159 passing yards, 54.1% completion percentage) and rushing (715 yards, 4.5 yards per carry). The team's other statistical leaders included wide receiver Devin Smith (14 catches for 294 yards), kicker Drew Basil (84 points scored, 36 of 37 extra points, 16 of 19 field goals), and defensive back C. J. Barnett (49 solo tackles, 75 total tackles). [2] No Ohio State players won first-team All-America honors. John Simon received first-team honors as a defensive lineman on the 2011 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [3]

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

Before the season

The 2010 Ohio State team posted a 12–1 record, including a victory over No. 8 Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. However, all 12 victories were vacated by the NCAA as part of its investigation into the Ohio State University football scandal. Also as a result of the scandal, Ohio State played the first five games of the season without five players: Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas, and Boom Herron. These players had sold memorabilia to the owner of a Columbus tattoo parlor. On March 8, 2011, it was reported that Tressel knew about it as early as April 2010 through an anonymous e-mail. As of result, Tressel received a two-game suspension for failing to notify authorities of the players' wrongdoings. Tressel later decided to sit out the first five games with the five players. On May 30, 2011, Tressel resigned as head coach. Assistant head coach Luke Fickell, who was to take over during Tressel's suspension, was named interim head coach. [4] On June 8, returning starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor announced his intention to forgo his senior season, "in the best interest of [his] teammates," in light of his suspension and ongoing investigation by the NCAA. [5]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 312:00 p.m. Akron *No. 18 ESPN W 42–0105,001
September 1012:00 p.m. Toledo *No. 15
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, OH
BTN W 27–22105,016
September 177:30 p.m.at Miami (FL) *No. 17ESPNL 6–2466,279
September 243:30 p.m. Colorado *
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, OH
ABC/ESPN2 W 37–17105,096
October 13:30 p.m. Michigan State
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, OH
ABCL 7–10105,306
October 88:00 p.m.at No. 14 Nebraska ABC L 27–3485,426
October 153:30 p.m.at No. 16 Illinois ABC/ESPNW 17–755,229
October 298:00 p.m.No. 12 Wisconsin Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, OH
ESPNW 33–29105,511
November 512:00 p.m. Indiana
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, OH
BTNW 34–20105,159
November 1212:00 p.m.at Purdue BTNL 23–26 OT43,334
November 193:30 p.m.No. 21 Penn State
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Columbus, Ohio (rivalry)
ABC/ESPNL 14–20105,493
November 2612:00 p.m.at No. 12 Michigan ABCL 34–40114,432
January 2, 20121:00 p.m.vs. Florida * ESPN2 L 17–2461,312
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[6]

Game summaries

Akron

Akron at #18 Ohio State
Team1234Total
Akron00000
#18 Ohio State71471442

Ohio State's first game under Luke Fickell began with an opening drive defensive stop and a touchdown run by starting quarterback Joe Bauserman. Both teams struggled on offense through the first quarter, with Ohio State leading, 7–0. Midway through the second quarter, the Buckeyes put together a 12-play drive that concluded in a touchdown pass from Bauserman to Jake Stoneburner. Before the end of the half, Ohio State scored on another pass from Bauserman to Stoneburner. Ohio State led, 21–0, at halftime. The heat, reaching almost 100 °F (38 °C), caused problems for the players, referees, band members, and fans. In the third quarter, Bauserman and Soneburner connected for their third touchdown, extending the Buckeyes' lead to 28–0. Freshman quarterback Braxton Miller took most of the offensive snaps for the remainder of the game, passing for 130 yards and a touchdown. Ohio State won the game, 42–0.

[7]


Toledo

Toledo at #15 Ohio State
Team1234Total
Toledo1507022
#15 Ohio State7146027

On September 10, Ohio State defeated Toledo, 27–22. In the first quarter, Joe Bauserman threw a touchdown pass to Jake Stoneburnerthe year. Still in the first quarter, Toledo blocked a punt and scored a touchdown – the first points Toledo scored against Ohio State in three games.) [8] At the end of the first quarter, Toledo receiver Eric Page had 66-yard touchdown reception, giving Toledo a 15–7 lead. Toledo committed 14 penalties on the day for 109 yards. Heading into the second quarter, Ohio State scored on a 36 touchdown run from Carlos Hyde and a 45-yard punt return from Chris Fields. After a sloppy first half by both teams, Ohio State went into halftime with a 21–15 lead. Ohio State again started off the second half slow, allowing the Rockets to score a touchdown on their opening drive of the half, and allowing them to retake the lead, 22–21. The one-point Toledo lead held up for most of the third quarter, until another touchdown run by Hyde, and a subsequently missed two-point conversion, gave Ohio State a five-point, 27–22 lead. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. The game came down to a final play, with a Toledo fourth and six on the Ohio State 17. Terrance Owens was unable to complete the pass, coming five yards short and the Buckeyes were able to escape with a victory.

[9]


Miami (Florida)

#17 Ohio State at Miami (Florida)
Team1234Total
#17 Ohio State06006
Miami (FL)1430724

Ohio State's first road game of the season took them to south Florida for a rematch against the Miami Hurricanes who they faced in the 2010 season, as well as the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, beating them both times. The game did not start well for the Buckeyes, with a bad opening offensive drive, giving Miami good field position. The Hurricanes quickly drove down the field 63 yards and scored their first points of the game on a Jacory Harris touchdown pass. Later in the quarter, Miami again drove down the field for another Harris touchdown pass, giving the Hurricanes a 14–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw the momentum swing in favor of Ohio State, with two drives heading deep into Miami territory, however, once in the red zone, the Buckeyes were unable to capitalize and had to settle for two short range field goals by Drew Basil, bringing them closer in the games and giving Miami only a 14–6 lead. However a field goal at the end of the first half gave Miami a two-possession lead heading into halftime. The second half of the game saw little offense, with both the Buckeyes' defense dominating the Hurricanes and keeping them out of Ohio State territory, as well at the Buckeye offense continuing to struggle to get any kind of rhythm. Miami was able to score a touchdown with 0:33 remaining in the game, giving them a 24–6 lead—the final score of the game. The game was the first non-conference loss since the September 12, 2009 loss against the University of Southern California.

[10]


Colorado

Colorado at Ohio State
Team1234Total
Colorado073717
Ohio State101014337
  • Date: September 24
  • Location: Ohio Stadium
    Columbus, OH
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:16
  • Game attendance: 105,069
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 64 °F (18 °C), Wind NE 4 mph (6.4 km/h)
  • Referee: Dan Capron
  • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Mike Patrick (Play-by-play) & Craig James (Color)

Ohio State came off their previous week's loss to Miami with a home game against the Colorado Buffaloes. For the first time during the season, freshman quarterback Braxton Miller received the start, only the third time Ohio State started a freshman at that position. The second offensive drive of the first quarter saw the Buckeyes move the ball 43 yards down the field and score on a Jordan Hall touchdown run. A Drew Basil field goal later on in the quarter gave Ohio State a 10–0 lead early on in the game. Colorado's special teams, as well as the number of penalties which they drew, allowed Ohio State to have relatively good field position throughout the game, averaging a start around their 50-yard line. Ohio State took advantage of the field position with a touchdown pass from Miller to Devin Smith, giving Ohio State a 17–0 lead. Colorado eventually drove down the field on their next possession and scored on an 11-yard touchdown reception, narrowing the score to 17–7. A field goal before the end of the half allowed Ohio State to go into the locker room with a 20–7 lead. The third quarter saw a back and forth between the two teams, with Ohio State still dominating. Another Miller to Smith touchdown reception put Ohio State up 27–7, while Colorado continued to stay in the game with an Oliver field goal. Basil would kick a field goal to end the third quarter, as well as starting the fourth, and gave Ohio State a 37–10 lead late in the game. A late Colorado touchdown was the last score of the game, as the favored Buckeyes beat Colorado 37–17, rebounding after their previous week's loss to Miami, as Ohio State moved to 3–1 on the season.

[11]


Michigan State

Michigan State at Ohio State
Team1234Total
Michigan State700310
Ohio State00077

On a cold rainy day in Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio State Buckeyes opened their 2011 Big Ten Conference campaign against the Michigan State Spartans. Both teams were unable to score on their opening possessions of the ballgame. Michigan State opened the scoring with a 33-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to B.J. Cunningham, giving the Spartans a 7–0 lead. Throughout the first quarter both teams would trade field position as both defenses stepped up to the occasion to stop the opposing team. Michigan State found themselves deep in Ohio State territory late in the second quarter, however, an interception by Cousins, one of three Michigan State turnovers on the day, would allow Ohio State to enter halftime only down by a score of 7–0. The rain and windy conditions made the game much more of a defensive battle than expected. Throughout the third quarter and the rest of the second half, both teams continued to trade field position and come up with stops on defense. A missed 51-yard field goal by Dan Conroy allowed the Buckeyes and their struggling offense to have a shot at tying the game, however, with Joe Bauserman replacing Braxton Miller at QB, Ohio State was unable to move the ball. Michigan State extended their lead by 3 with a 50-yard field goal from Conroy, giving the Spartans a 10–0 advantage. A late touchdown by the Buckeyes would do little to help their effort as Ohio State went on to lose the game 10–7. This was Ohio State's first 0–1 start in Big Ten play since 2004, as well as their first loss to Michigan State since 1999.

[12]


Nebraska

Ohio State at #14 Nebraska
Team1234Total
Ohio State10107027
#14 Nebraska33141434

In the first match up between the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers since the 1950s, Ohio State went into Lincoln hoping to win and rebound after their previous week's loss to Michigan State. Ohio State struggling offense came out with some fire, driving down the field on their first drive for a Drew Basil field goal, giving Ohio State an early 3–0. With Nebraska kicking a field goal a few minutes later, the game was tied midway through the first quarter at 3–3. A Braxton Miller to Jake Stoneburner touchdown at the end of the quarter gave Ohio State a 10–3 lead and the momentum. The second quarter continued the Ohio State dominance with a 63-yard touchdown run from Carlos Hyde and an exchange of field goals between the two teams, allowing the Buckeyes to go into halftime with a 20–6 lead. The second half of the game began very well for the Buckeyes with another Hyde touchdown, giving Ohio State their largest lead at 27–6. However, a Braxton Miller fumble, which allowed Nebraska to score their first touchdown of the game in the third quarter, as well as an ankle injury by Miller, eventually gave the Cornhuskers the momentum back down the stretch of the game. Another Nebraska touchdown at the end of the third quarter allowed the Cornhuskers to cut it to a 7-point game, 27–20, going into the fourth quarter. Two fourth-quarter touchdowns, both by Rex Burkhead, allowed Nebraska to receive their first lead of the night, pushing them to the victory, and the largest comeback in school history. With the loss, Ohio State dropped to 3–3 and 0–2 in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1988 season.

[13]


Illinois

Ohio State at #16 Illinois
Team1234Total
Ohio State307717
#16 Illinois00077

Ohio State came into the season match up with the undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini coming off two consecutive losses for the first time since the 2004 season. As with the last game against Nebraska, Ohio State opened the game with a primarily running attack on their first drive, with the return of star running back Dan Herron from suspension. Ohio State began the game with a Drew Basil 43-yard field goal, giving them a 3–0 lead. Throughout the rest of the first half, both teams would exchange field position and punts with no more scoring or offensive production coming from either team. Going into halftime, Ohio State still held a 3–0 lead, with Illinois receiving the ball first in the second half. An interception by Ohio State early on in the third quarter, set up Ohio State inside the Illinois red-zone, and the eventual Herron touchdown. After no more scoring throughout the third quarter, Ohio State went into the fourth quarter with only a 10–0 lead. An early touchdown pass from Braxton Miller to Jake Stoneburner gave Ohio State their largest lead at 17–0. Following the touchdown, a very long, 16 play drive by Illinois, which resulted in a touchdown, ended the Ohio State shutout thus far, and put Illinois back in the game. A few defensive stops, coupled with the offense running down the clock, clinched the victory for the Buckeyes. With the victory, Ohio State moved to 4–3 on the season and 1–2 in the Big Ten, their first Big Ten victory of the season.

[14]


Wisconsin

#12 Wisconsin at Ohio State
Team1234Total
#12 Wisconsin7071529
Ohio State03141633

Ohio State entered their 2011 homecoming game following a bye week, with their opponent being the Wisconsin Badgers, who were the only team to defeat the Buckeyes in the 2010 season. The game opened with neither team scoring on their opening possession. Wisconsin's high-powered run-and-pass attack struck first midway through the first quarter with a touchdown reception from Montee Ball giving Wisconsin an early 7–0 lead. Led on many parts by the mistakes of the Badgers, the Buckeyes were able to penetrate Wisconsin's side of the field, especially late in the second quarter, where a Drew Basil field goal cut the Wisconsin lead to 7–3 going into halftime. With the opening of the third quarter, Braxton Miller and the Ohio State offense were able to drive down the field, capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run from Miller, which gave the Buckeyes their first lead of the night at 10–7. After a Wisconsin blocked punt on their next possession, Ohio State was able to drive the ball into the end zone again with a Jordan Hall two-yard run and gave Ohio State a 17–7 lead. Wisconsin quickly responded with the next drive and the ensuing touchdown from Ball, his second on the day, cut the game back down to a 17–14 affair. Ohio State held the lead going into the fourth quarter and quickly was able to increase their lead with another Basil field goal. As the quarter quickly ticked away, Miller was able to break away on a quarterback run and go in for the touchdown. With the failed two-point conversion, Ohio State firmly held a 26–14 lead with a little under five minutes remaining in the game. Wisconsin quickly drove down the field to score a touchdown in only 0:58 cutting the Ohio State lead to 26–21. With Ohio State unproductive on their ensuing possession, Wisconsin received the ball back and again drove down the field quickly to score, in only 1:18, with their two-point conversion good. Ohio State trailed 29–26, and with a short field to work with, Miller and the offense took the field. With a little under forty seconds remaining in the game, Miller completed a 40-yard touchdown pass Devin Smith, and sealed the victory for Ohio State. With the win, the Buckeyes put themselves into position to earn a trip to the inaugural Big Ten championship game and moved to 2–2 in the Big Ten, after starting 0–2.

[15]


Indiana

Indiana at Ohio State
Team1234Total
Indiana1037020
Ohio State7614734

After the Buckeyes victory of Wisconsin, Ohio State remained at home to face an intra-divisional team in the Indiana Hoosiers. Ohio State began the game slowly, allowing an Indiana field goal, quickly followed by a five-yard touchdown run within the first ten minutes of the game, giving the Hoosiers a 10–0 lead. On the next possession, Braxton Miller quickly cut down the Indiana lead with an 81-yard touchdown run, one of the longest by runs by a quarterback in Ohio State history. Heading into the second quarter Indiana still held a 10–7, however two Drew Basil field goals allowed the Buckeyes to take their first lead of the day at 13–10. With 4:30 remaining in the first half, Indiana was able to capitalize and kick a 25-yard field goal, tying the game at 13–13 going into halftime. Dan Herron made his presence known again in the game quickly to start the third quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run, giving Ohio State the lead back at 20–13. However, the back-and-forth match continued at Indiana drove down the field to score a touchdown in response on a Robertson to Hughes reception. Another Miller touchdown run would give Ohio State the 27–20 lead going into the fourth quarter, as well as the momentum. Led by the defense, Ohio State was able to rally in the fourth quarter and allowed Ohio State the get the sealing touchdown with a little over two minutes remaining in the game, which gave the Buckeyes the 34–20 lead and improved their record to 6–3 on the season.

[16]


Purdue

Ohio State Buckeyes (6–3) at Purdue Boilermakers (4–5)
Quarter1234OTTotal
Ohio State0776323
Purdue10703626

at Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, Indiana

Game information

In their first visit to West Lafayette since their 2009 loss, the Buckeyes looked for their fourth straight win and first at Ross–Ade Stadium since 2007. The game started for the Buckeyes like the previous week's match up versus Indiana. A 19-yard field goal from Wiggs and four-yard touchdown run gave Purdue a 10–0 lead which they held through the entirety of the first quarter. A 38-yard touchdown reception from Miller to Hall gave the Buckeyes some offensive spark as they cut the score down to 10–7. However, another Purdue touchdown would give Purdue a commanding 17–7 lead with 3:19 left in the second quarter, a lead which they would take into halftime. With the Ohio State defense making crucial stops in the second half, Ohio State was able to get the ball back and score on their first possession in the second half with a 6-yard Braxton Miller touchdown run, giving Purdue now only a 17–14 lead. While both teams struggled with their offense, it would be Purdue who added to their lead with a 44-yard field goal, and extending their lead to 20–14. Ohio State was not able to get close to a score for most of the fourth quarter, however a long drive at the end of the quarter saw a Miller pass to Hall for a touchdown, tying the game at 20–20. However, with a Drew Basil blocked extra point, the game remained tied and headed into overtime. The Ohio State offense continued to struggle on their overtime possession only able to come up with a field goal, which gave them their first lead of the game at 23–20. The Buckeyes defense, taking the field next was unable to stop the Purdue running attack and eventually allowed a touchdown from the one-yard line to end the game and give the Boilermakers the 26–23 win. With the loss, Ohio State dropped to 6–4, losing at least four games in a season for the first time since 2004, and making the road to the Big Ten Championship Game much harder if not impossible with a 3–3 Big Ten record.

Penn State

#21 Penn State at Ohio State
Team1234Total
#21 Penn State10100020
Ohio State0140014

Ohio State entered their 2011 senior day with a 6–4 record, facing a Penn State Nittany Lions team with aspirations of the Big Ten Championship Game. In the same fashion of the previous two games, Ohio State fell behind quickly in the game facing a 10–0 deficit following an early Stephfon Green touchdown run and a 43-yard field goal from Anthony Fera. Heading into the second quarter, Ohio State put together their first extended drive of the game, ending in a Braxton Miller 24-yard touchdown run cutting the Penn State lead to a 10–7 affair. Penn State returned the favor with a quick drive ending with another Green touchdown run, giving the Nittany Lions the 17–7 advantage midway through the second quarter. Later in the quarter, Ohio State was able to put together their second scoring drive of the game which consisted of only five plays and ended in a Jake Stoneburner touchdown reception. Penn State, however, was able to use the rest of the second quarter clock on a drive which put them into field goal position, Fera's 46-yard field goal was good, and allowed them to go into halftime with a 20–14, the eventual final score of the game. The second half was marred for Ohio State with the defense able to stop the Nittany Lions on the one-yard line four times for a goal line stand, but also of two costly fumbles which would end an hope of a comeback drive. The last two quarters of the game saw no scoring and allowed Penn State to exit Ohio Stadium with the 20–14 win, their first win at Ohio State since 2008, bringing Ohio State's overall record to 6–5 on the season, and 3–4 in conference play.

[17]


Michigan

Ohio State at #15 Michigan
Team1234Total
Ohio State71701034
#15 Michigan16771040

Ohio State finished its conference slate with a loss to the Wolverines under first year head coach and Ohio native Brady Hoke. The loss saw the Buckeyes' 7-year winning streak against their arch-rivals come to an end.

[18]

2012 Gator Bowl

2012 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl
Team1234Total
Ohio State0100717
Florida777324

The game featured Urban Meyer's former school (Florida) versus the school (Ohio State) he was about to take over as head coach.

[19]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP 181517RVRVRVRV
Coaches 161516RVRVRVRVRV
Harris Not releasedRVRVNot released
BCS Not releasedNot released

Personnel

Roster

2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
OL 75 Mike Adams Sr
QB 14 Joe Bauserman Sr
RB 4Jamaal BerrySo
OL 64Ivon BlackmanSo
OL 51Brian BobekFr
FB 44Zach BorenJr
C 50 Mike Brewster Sr
WR 10 Corey Brown So
OL 55Tommy BrownFr
OL 72Chris CarterFr
RB 35Bo DeLandeSr
RB 37Spencer DeLandeSo
FB 33David Durham Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 80Chris FieldsSo
TE 88Reid FragelJr
RB 37James GeorgiadesJr
QB 19Taylor Graham Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 13 Kenny Guiton So
RB 7Jordan HallJr
OL 79Marcus HallSo
RB 1 Dan Herron Sr
TE 88Jeff HeuermanFr
RB 49Adam HomanJr
OL 65Nick HumphriesFr
RB 34 Carlos Hyde So
OL 69Eric Kramer Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 71Corey LinsleySo
OL 74Jack MewhortSo
QB 5 Braxton Miller Fr
OL 78Andrew NorwellSo
WR 8 DeVier Posey Sr
WR 9Verlon Reed Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 89Jared RileySo
WR 87Chris RoarkSr
WR 84Ryan Ross Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 82Kyle Schuck Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 83Donald SenegalJr
OL 76J.B. ShugartsSr
QB 17Justin SiemsSo
WR 15 Devin Smith Fr
RB 2Rod Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 48Spencer SmithSr
WR 16Evan SpencerFr
OL 66Ben St. JohnFr
TE 11 Jake Stoneburner Jr
OL 70Tim TrummerFr
OL 73Antonio UnderwoodFr
TE 81Nick VannettFr
WR 18T.Y. WilliamsFr
RB 32Darryl WoodSo
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 8Dionte AllenSr
LB 48Dan BainSr
DL 90Darryl Baldwin Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 4C.J. BarnettSo
DL 93Adam BellamySo
DL 63Michael BennettFr
DL 68Evan BlankenshipSr
DL 56Dalton BrittJr
DB 3Corey BrownSo
DB 2Christian BryantSo
DB 17 Jeremy Cash Fr
DB 5Dominic ClarkeSo
LB 36Connor CrowellFr
DB 16Zach DomiconeJr
DB 34 Nate Ebner Sr
DB 30Donnie EvegeSr
DL 57Chase FarrisFr
DE 91Melvin FellowsSo
DB 24Adam FrazierSo
DB 18DerJuan GambrellFr
DL 53Garrett GoebelJr
LB 14Curtis GrantFr
DB 12 Doran Grant Fr
DL 94Cavin GreenSo
DB 9Adam Griffin Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 23Chad Hagen Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 51Joel HaleFr
DL 52 Johnathan Hankins So
LB 35James HastingsSo
DL 86Kenny HayesFr
DB 7Travis HowardJr
LB 41Tony JacksonSr
DB 19 Orhian Johnson Jr
LB 32Storm KleinJr
DL 95Don MatheneySr
DB 37Chris MaxwellSr
DL 92William McCaryJr
LB 38Scott McVey Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 88Steve MillerFr
LB 26Tyler MoellerSr
DL 50J.T. Moore Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 20Nate OliverSr
DB 25Vincent PetrellaJr
DB 29Taylor RiceJr
DB 25 Bradley Roby Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 6 Etienne Sabino Jr
DB 33Nik SaracFr
LB 10 Ryan Shazier Fr
DL 54 John Simon Jr
DL 59Stewart SmithJr
LB 42 Andrew Sweat Sr
DB 28Ron TannerFr
DE 98Solomon ThomasSr
DB 13Julian Vann Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 39Jordan WhitingSo
DL 43Nathan WilliamsSr
DB 21Jamie WoodSo
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P/K 24Drew BasilSo
P/K 17Ben BuchananJr
LS 60Garrett DornbrookSr
K 20Russell DoupFr
P 39Derek ErwinSr
LS 54Bruce HaynesFr
LS 56George MakridisSo
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Jim BollmanOffensive coordinator/offensive line
  • Jim HeacockDefensive coordinator/defensive line
  • Paul Haynes – Co-defensive coordinator/safeties
  • Stan DraytonWide receivers
  • Taver Johnson – Cornerbacks
  • John Peterson – Tight ends/recruiting coordinator
  • Nick Siciliano – Quarterbacks
  • Dick Tressel – Running backs
  • Mike VrabelLinebackers

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

2012 NFL draft

The following Ohio State players were selected in the 2012 NFL draft:

Rnd.Pick No.NFL teamPlayerPos.CollegeConf.Notes
256 Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Adams   OT Ohio State Big Ten
368 Houston Texans DeVier Posey   WR Ohio State Big Ten
6191 Cincinnati Bengals Daniel Herron   RB Ohio State Big Ten
6197 New England Patriots Nate Ebner   S Ohio State Big Ten

Undrafted seniors who signed with an NFL team

Brandon Saine (running back) – Green Bay Packers

Dane Sanzenbacher (wide receiver) – Chicago Bears

Justin Boren (offensive lineman) – Baltimore Ravens

Bryant Browning (offensive lineman) – St. Louis Rams

Jake McQuaide (long snapper) – St. Louis Rams

Dexter Larimore (defensive tackle) – New Orleans Saints

Devon Torrence (cornerback) – Minnesota Vikings [ citation needed ]

NFL draft early entries

Terrelle Pryor – junior quarterback (NFL Supplemental Draft – third round to the Oakland Raiders)

Transfers out

Sam Longo – redshirt sophomore offensive lineman (University of Cincinnati)

Dorian Bell – redshirt sophomore linebacker (Duquesne University)

James Louis – redshirt freshman wide receiver (Florida International University)

James Jackson – redshirt sophomore wide receiver (Grand Valley State University)

Transfers in

None

Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2011)
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeight40Commit date
Michael Bennett
DT
Centerville, OHCenterville6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)275 lb (125 kg)5.0May 16, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (80)
Brian Bobek
OL
Palatine, ILFremd6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)278 lb (126 kg)Mar 16, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Tommy Brown
OL
Akron, OHFirestone Senior6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)310 lb (140 kg)5.1Apr 3, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Chris Carter
OL
Cleveland, OHJohn F. Kennedy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)325 lb (147 kg)Feb 25, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Jeremy Cash
DB
Plantation, FLPlantation6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)Apr 18, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (80)
Conner Crowell
LB
Waldorf, MDNorth Point6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)215 lb (98 kg)4.5Nov 5, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Chase Farris
DE
Elyria, OHElyria6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)265 lb (120 kg)4.9Mar 16, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
DerJuan Gambrell
DB
Toledo, OHRogers6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg)4.5Mar 16, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (77)
Curtis Grant
LB
Richmond, VAHermitage6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)222 lb (101 kg)4.5Feb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  5 stars.svg     Rivals:  5 stars.svg    (81)
Doran Grant
DB
Akron, OHSt. Vincent-St. Mary5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)171 lb (78 kg)4.6Jan 5, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (81)
Joel Hale
DT
Greenwood, INCenter Grove6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)290 lb (130 kg)Jun 7, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (79)
Kenny Hayes
DE
Toledo, OHWhitmer6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)240 lb (110 kg)Aug 31, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Bryce Haynes
OL
Cumming, GAPinecrest Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.8Jan 28, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (73)
Jeff Heuerman
TE
Naples, FLBarron Collier6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)240 lb (110 kg)4.7Apr 26, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (80)
Cardale Jones
QB
Cleveland, OHGlenville Academic Campus6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)217 lb (98 kg)4.9Feb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Braxton Miller
QB
Huber Heights, OH Wayne6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.5Jun 3, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  5 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (81)
Steve Miller
DE
Canton, OHMcKinley6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)230 lb (100 kg)4.8Oct 29, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  5 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (82)
Ejuan Price
LB
Pittsburgh, PAWoodland Hills6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)235 lb (107 kg)Jan 17, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  3 stars.svg    
Ryan Shazier
LB
Plantation, FLPlantation6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg)4.6Dec 17, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (81)
Devin Smith
WR
Massillon, OHWashington6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)Jun 17, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Evan Spencer
WR
Vernon Hills, ILVernon Hills6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)Jun 5, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (81)
Ron Tanner
DB
Columbus, OHEastmoor6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.5Jul 2, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Antonio Underwood
OL
Shaker Heights, OHShaker Heights6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)295 lb (134 kg)Mar 15, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Nick Vannett
TE
Westerville, OHWesterville Central6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)230 lb (100 kg)Jun 30, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (80)
Overall recruit ranking:    Scout: 5    Rivals: 11    ESPN: 7
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Ohio State Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  • "2011 Ohio State Football Commits". Scout. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved June 25, 2011.

References

  1. "2011 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "2011 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  3. "All-Big Ten & Award Winners" (PDF). Big Ten Conference. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  4. Rittenberg, Adam; Schad, Joe; Farrey, Tom (May 30, 2011). "Jim Tressel Tenders Resignation". ESPN . Associated Press . Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  5. "Quarterback Terrelle Pryor Giving up Senior Season". ESPN . June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  6. "2011 Football Schedule". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Akron vs Ohio State (Sep 3, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. September 3, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  8. "Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Toledo Rockets football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  9. "Toledo vs Ohio State (Sep 10, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  10. "Ohio State vs Miami, Florida (Sep 17, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. September 17, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  11. "Colorado vs Ohio State (Sep 24, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. September 24, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  12. "Michigan State vs Ohio State (Oct 1, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. October 1, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  13. "Ohio State vs Nebraska (Oct 8, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  14. "Ohio State vs Illinois (Oct 15, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  15. "Wisconsin vs Ohio State (Oct 29, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. October 29, 2011. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  16. "Indiana vs Ohio State (Nov 5, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  17. "Penn State vs Ohio State (Nov 19, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. November 19, 2011. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  18. "Ohio State vs Michigan (Nov 26, 2011)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. November 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  19. "Ohio State vs Florida (Jan 2, 2012)". The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.