Ohio Bobcats football
Encyclopedia
The Ohio Bobcats
football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Ohio University
. The team represents the university as a member of the Mid-American Conference
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision level. The Bobcats have played their home games in Peden Stadium
since 1929.
Ohio Bobcats football began in 1894 with an 8-0 loss to Marietta College
. Since that day, the Bobcats have posted a 510-521-48 record over their 117 year existence and a 202-238-11 record over their 64 years in the Mid-American Conference
. The Bobcats have won 5 MAC Football championships in 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, and 1968, and two MAC East Division championships in 2006 and 2009. Prior to joining the MAC, the Bobcats won 6 Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1938. In 1960, the Bobcats were crowned National Small College Champions after compiling a 10-0 record under Coach Bill Hess. The Bobcats have appeared in five bowl games, losing 15-14 to West Texas State
in the 1962 Sun Bowl
, losing 49-42 to Richmond
in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl
, falling 28-7 to Southern Mississippi
in the 2007 GMAC Bowl
, losing 21-17 to Marshall
in the 2009 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
, and a defeat at the hands of Troy University
on December 18th, 2010 in the New Orleans Bowl
.
, and Marietta College
. A schedule never materialized, however, and the league dissolved before even a single game was played. In preparation, though, a team was formed on Ohio’s campus and H.R. Higley was elected captain. He soon began coaching the team, according to the student newspaper, the Panorama. For the first time, the football team was given space in the Athena yearbook in 1892. The entire team was listed, by position and name.
The first intercollegiate football game involving an Ohio University team was played in Athens in 1894 against Marietta College
. It was the only contest played that year by Ohio, with Marietta winning by a score of 8-0. The next year the Bobcats faced a five game schedule, under the leadership of coach Harvey Deme. The 1895 squad was 2-3, with wins against Parkersburg High School [abbreviated Parker H.S. in some early records] and Lancaster High School, and losses against Ohio Wesleyan and Marietta College
(twice).
From 1896 to 1905, the football program was in a state of flux, with a new coach taking over the reins every year. Injuries and the untimely death of the Ohio University quarterback, on the field, in December of 1898, was a sombering event, with severe injuries often taking place in early collegiate football as uniforms of the era provided little physical protection. The coaches during this time period included Frank Remsberg, Warwick Ford, Peter McLaren, Fred Sullivan, Karl Core, Art Jones, Henry Hart, Joseph Railsback, and Harold Monosmith, with Sullivan being coach in both 1899 and 1903. The best records of this time period were forged in 1897 and 1901 under Warwick Ford and Art Jones, respectively. The ‘Cats were 7-2 in their 1897 campaign, and posted a 6-1-2 record in 1901.
The 1897 season, which produced the best record of any of the 19th Century campaigns, started with two straight losses -- to Marietta College and Cincinnati. The team then reeled off seven straight with victories over Muskingum College, Dennison College, Ohio Medical University, West Virginia University, Otterbein College, and Marietta College. The home victory over WVU inspired a poem that appeared in The Athens Messenger and Herald newspaper:
And they came and they were conquer'd
With swift dispatch and ease,
And they felt that twinging sorrow which
In vain they could appease
Thought not that woe awaited them
Across Ohio's stream.
And like the poet found that things
Aren't ever what they seem.
And they came from fair Virginia
The place of Morgantown.
Where swift Monogahela flows
Past mountains looking down:
Proud and boasting came they hither
To wrestle for the goals
Which they found almost as quickly
As disembodied souls.
Badly battered left they homeward
In vain could they conceal
The awful havoc of their bucks
'Gainst O.U.'s pointed steel:
And they left here sad but wiser
Of many manly tricks,
For the gridiron here is hot
As Athens politics.
Beginning in 1906, the Bobcats began to assert themselves as a more permanent entity on campus with the hiring of Arthur McFarland
as head coach. The 1906 squad exploded for a 7-1 record, with wins over respected programs such as West Virginia University
and the University of Cincinnati
. The program tailed off considerably in 1907, however, and would not post a .500 record until 1911 under coach Arthur Hinaman. The 1911 squad outscored all opponents 88-44, but only managed to post a 3-3-2 record.
Arguably the greatest Ohio team of the early era was Mark Bank’s 1915 squad. This storied club posted an 8-1 record and outscored all opponents by a combined 175-33. Beating such teams as the University of Cincinnati
, Marshall University
, and Transylvania University
, the Bobcats’ only loss was a 13-6 affair versus archrival Miami University
.
Following the explosion of the 1915 team, the Bobcats experienced a period of success during the late 1910s. The 1916 team posted a record of 5-2-1, and the 1918 squad went an undefeated 4-0-1, with wins over the Ohio State freshman team and Denison University
. In 1920, Russ Finsterwald was hired to lead the ‘Cats into a new decade. His tenure, however, was marked by relative mediocrity, with records of 4-3, 4-4-1, and 5-3 in his three years at the helm. F.B. Heldt was named coach in 1923, and posted a record of 3-5-1. His lack of success against challenging opponents lead to a quick dismissal, and ultimately forced the hiring of Bobcat legend Don Peden
.
has the longest tenure, 21 seasons. Over that period, he compiled a record of 121 wins, 46 losses and 11 ties. To this day, his .711 winning percentage is by far the best of any Bobcats coach with more than twenty games of competition. As part of Peden’s legacy, the Bobcats’ present-day stadium (known as Ohio Stadium in Peden’s time) now dons the name Peden Stadium
.
Peden’s tenure began rather unceremoniously in 1924, with a 4-4 record. The next year, however, Peden led the ‘Cats to a 6-2 season, and wins over the University of Cincinnati
and the University of Toledo
. From 1926 to 1928, the Bobcats posted winning records every season, with the 1928 team forging a 6-3 season and a marquee 66-6 victory over the University of Cincinnati
.
Peden oversaw one of the Bobcats’ best-ever spans—seven seasons from 1929 through1935—in which Ohio compiled a cumulative record of 49-9-3. In that period, Peden’s squads won four Buckeye Athletic Association championships and enjoyed three undefeated seasons. In 1929, the Bobcats moved into brand new Ohio Stadium, and celebrated with a 9-0 record and just 7 points all season (a lone touchdown to Ohio Wesleyan). The 1935 team upset the University of Illinois in the season opener, 6-0, on its way to a perfect 8-0 season. That year, the Bobcats were led by All-American Art Lewis, a sturdy tackle who was a first-round selection of the New York Giants
in the first-ever National Football League
draft in 1936. Lewis would go on to become a very successful college coach himself at West Virginia University
.
Peden continued his legacy of success following the graduation of Lewis and the other seniors of the 1935 team. He won a Buckeye Athletic Association title in 1936 and another in 1938, with the 1938 team being one of the best under Peden. That team upset the University of Illinois yet again, and also earned victories over Xavier University
, Marshall University
, and arch-rival Miami University
.
The Bobcats would never win another Buckeye Athletic Association title under Peden, though he still led the team through many winning seasons and thrilling victories. His storied 1941 team posted a record of 5-2-1 while outscoring all opponents 108-42. Bobcat football was interrupted by World War II
, with Ohio not fielding a team in either the 1943 or 1944 seasons. The 1945 team was 3-4 while struggling to recruit new members after the war and facing a challenging schedule. In his final year as head coach, 1946, Peden steered the Bobcats into the Mid-American Conference
as a charter member. Today, the Bobcats are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that included Butler University
, the University of Cincinnati
, Wayne State University
, and Case Western Reserve University
. The 1946 squad was 6-3, and posted impressive wins over Western Michigan University
and Murray State University
.
.
In 1949, Carroll Widdoes
became the new coach of the Bobcats following a successful two year tenure at the helm of the Ohio State Buckeyes
. Widdoes led the team to a 4-4-1 record in his first year, and made noise with an opening day upset of the West Virginia Mountaineers
. Widdoes’ 1950, 1951, and 1952 teams all posted winning records, and were led by All-American linebacker Vince Costello
. Costello would go on to a highly-decorated professional career with the Cleveland Browns
and New York Giants
.
The 1953 squad won Ohio’s first ever Mid-American Conference
title, while posting an impressive 6-2-1 record (5-0-1 MAC). The 1954 squad failed to disappoint as well, posting a 6-3 mark against a challenging gauntlet that featured perennial power Harvard. The 1955 Bobcats were 5-4, but in 1956 and 1957 Ohio was 2-7 and 2-6-1, respectively. With two losing seasons in a row, Widdoes resigned as coach and became Ohio’s athletics director. Widdoes handpicked a successor in Bill Hess
, who had spent seven seasons as an assistant to Woody Hayes
and brought a similar philosophy back to Athens.
. In his 19 seasons at the helm, Hess had a 108-91-4 record, placing him second to Peden on Ohio’s all-time wins list. His winning percentage is .542, and he is responsible for bringing 4 MAC titles and one National Championship to Athens. He also took the Bobcats to two bowl games, and oversaw countless winning seasons and exciting victories along the way.
The 1958 season under Hess ushered in a new level of Bobcat success. Against a grueling schedule, Ohio was 5-4, and amassed a thrilling 23-6 upset of the Louisville Cardinals
. That team outscored all opponents by a combined 159-102, but was only a precursor of the impending prominence. In Hess’s second season in 1959, Ohio went 7-2, finishing as runners-up to an undefeated Bowling Green Falcons
squad. The following year, 1960, the Green and White enjoyed what many argue was their best season ever. Behind the powerful running of Robert Brooks and the blocking and tackling of two-way standout Dick Grecni, the Bobcats went a perfect 10-0. In the process, they claimed the National College Division championship. Grecni earned All-America honors and was one of five standouts on that team who eventually played professionally.
Two years later in 1962, Hess led Ohio to its first-ever bowl game, a matchup with West Texas State in the 1962 Sun Bowl
. Jim McKee kicked a 52-yard field goal to put the Bobcats ahead early but they trailed at the half 7-3. In the third quarter, three time all-MAC performer Skip Hoovler intercepted a pass and ran it back 91 yards for a touchdown. Ohio led 14-7 late in the game before West Texas scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to win 15-14. Hoovler was named Lineman of the Game, and his 91-yard interception still stands as a Sun Bowl record. Ironically, the Bobcats did not win the MAC in that 1962 season but did go to a bowl. The following season, Ohio won the league championship but was not invited to a bowl game.
From 1964 to 1966, Hess’s teams struggled, with the low point being a 0-10 season in 1965. The ‘Cats were far from a disaster, however, and in 1967, Hess would claim his third MAC championship (shared with the Toledo Rockets
). That team also raised eyebrows with a 30-15 win over Kansas, runners-up in the Big Eight conference that season. It was a performance that hinted at even greater things to come.
In 1968, the most explosive Bobcat offense ever stormed its way to a 10-0 regular season, a MAC championship, and an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl
. Along the way, they racked up 418 points in 11 games. That average of 37.6 points per game stood as the MAC record until 1997. The amazing pass-and-catch combination of Cleve Bryant and Todd Snyder, coupled with the sturdy running of Dave LeVeck and Bob Houmard, proved to be nearly unstoppable. The 1968 season also marked Ohio’s first-ever appearance in the Top 20. On the heels of a 28-27 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons
in which the Bobcats scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes, Bryant led the way to a 60-48 win against the Cincinnati Bearcats
. Sports Illustrated called it an “insane circus” and it helped to land the ‘Cats at 18th in the United Press International coaches’ poll and 20th in the Associated Press writers’ poll. Ohio would cap off the season at the Tangerine Bowl against the Richmond Spiders
and to no one’s surprise the contest was another shootout. Bryant threw four touchdown passes and Snyder caught 11 passes for 214 yards. But it wasn’t enough, however, as Richmond prevailed for a 49-42 win.
The 1969 season saw the Bobcats begin to tail off a bit, with the team only posting a record of 5-4-1. That team did score several impressive victories, though, with a 46-6 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats
and a 35-35 tie against the Minnesota Golden Gophers
. Hess’s squads would not enjoy a .500 record again until 1973, when the ‘Cats were 5-5 with a 14-12 upset of the Northwestern Wildcats
. The 1974 and 1975 teams were 6-5 and 5-5-1, respectively, and built up to the successful 1976 season. In Hess’s second to last year, Ohio managed a 7-4 mark, including a 6-2 record against MAC foes. Hess would also coach the 1977 team while fighting a battle with cancer, leading the team to a 1-10 record that included numerous close losses to challenging opponents.
. Hess’s successor was Bob Kappes, who lasted only one year and posted a 3-8 record. Kappes was replaced by Brian Burke, who brought the program back to a reasonable level of respectability. The 1979 and 1980 teams were both 6-5, with the Bobcats managing to beat Miami
both years. The 1982 squad also managed a 6-5 mark, with a key 20-0 win over Miami
and a 17-14 upset of Toledo
.
Following a 1984 season that saw the ‘Cats go 4-6-1, Burke was replaced by Cleve Bryant, an Ohio legend who was responsible for quarterbacking the 1967 and 1968 MAC championship teams. Bryant proved less successful as a coach, however, and led the team to a 2-9 record in his first year. He followed that up with 1-10 campaigns in 1986 and 1987, leading to his best year in 1988. That year, the ‘Cats were 4-6-1, and beat Miami
for the first time in 4 years. Bryant’s team fell to 1-9-1 in 1989, though, and Bryant was subsequently relieved of his duties as coach of the ‘Cats.
The 1990 season saw the arrival of Tom Lichtenberg to coach the Bobcats, though the results on the field were similar to those seen under Bryant. The 1990 squad was 1-9-1, and that was followed up with a 2-8-1 performance in 1991. Lichtenberg’s best year was 1993, in which he led the Bobcats to a 4-7 mark and a win over Miami
for the first time since 1988. However, the 1994 Bobcats were winless, going 0-11 and leading to the dismissal of Lichtenberg and his staff.
took over an Ohio program that was in great need of an overhaul. He brought with him a unique offensive and defensive philosophy learned as a long-time assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy
. While most of the college football world was moving towards a high-octane passing attack, Grobe took the Bobcats back to the basics of the triple option, with wildly successful results. Ohio scored over 300 points in both 1996 and 1997, going 8-3 in 1997. It was the Green and White’s first winning season in 15 years. Grobe’s squads were prolific offensive teams, in spite of the media’s ill-conceived notion of an “antique” offense. Kareem Wilson, the Bobcats’ fireplug of a quarterback, was voted the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year following a 1996 season in which he rushed for 1,072 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns. Meanwhile, fullback Steveland Hookfin was piling up 3,972 rushing yards during the same era to become Ohio’s all-time rushing leader. Wilson’s total of 3,597 yards still stands as the fifth-most ever by an NCAA quarterback. His 875 career carries are the most by a signal caller in college football history.
Following the success of the 1996 and 1997 campaigns, Grobe teams fell to 5-6 in both 1998 and 1999. In 2000, however, the ‘Cats went 7-4 and upset the Minnesota Golden Gophers
for their first win over a Big Ten team in 27 years. Ohio finished that season with a win over Marshall
, giving the ‘Cats two wins over bowl teams for the first time since the 1970s. The 2000 team also set a new school record for total offense, piling up 4,599 yards. The total broke the previous mark held by the legendary 1968 squad.
After the 2000 season, however, Grobe left the ‘Cats to become head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
. His appointed successor was Brian Knorr
, who had been an assistant with Grobe while at Air Force
and was Grobe’s defensive coordinator at Ohio. Knorr proved inept as a head coach, however, and posted a 1-10 mark in 2001 despite retaining many players from the 7-4 2000 squad. Knorr was 4-8 in 2002, and regressed to 2-10 in 2003. In 2004 a slight improvement was seen with a 4-7 record and a marquee win over the Kentucky Wildcats
, but it was too little too late for Knorr. He was fired after the 2004 season and subsequently replaced with former Nebraska coach Frank Solich
.
was named the 28th football coach of the Bobcats on December 16, 2004. Prior to coming to Ohio, Solich spent many years as a part of the University of Nebraska football program, as a player, an assistant coach, and later as the head coach. Solich was head coach of the Cornhuskers from 1998-2003 where he directed Nebraska to 6 consecutive bowl games, including the national championship game in the 2002 Rose Bowl
. Solich's impact on the Ohio program was immediate, as plans were put in place to renovate Ohio's football facilities and increase financial support for the football program. Also, Ohio was selected to appear on national television 6 times for the 2005 football season, a record for the program. Frank Solich's first home game as coach of Ohio was a memorable one, as Peden Stadium brought in its largest crowd ever at the time to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers
16-10.
Under the guidance of Frank Solich, the Ohio football program enjoyed a return to national prominence in 2006. On November 16, 2006 the Bobcats secured their first ever Mid-American Conference
East Division title and their first football championship of any sort since 1968 with a victory over the University of Akron
Zips
. They then advanced to the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan
, where they were defeated by Central Michigan 31-10. On January 7, 2007, the Bobcats acted as the MAC representative in the GMAC Bowl
in Mobile, Alabama
, losing 28-7 to The University of Southern Mississippi
Golden Eagles
in a game nationally televised on ESPN
.
The Bobcats followed up the impressive 2006 campaign with a 6-6 record in 2007, and was one of 6 bowl eligible
programs that was not invited to post-season play. The Bobcats returned to the post-season in 2009, posting a 9-3 regular season record and another MAC East Championship. Ohio played in the MAC Championship Game, where they fell to Central Michigan 20-10. On December 26, 2009, the Bobcats fell 21-17 to the Marshall University
Thundering Herd
in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, and a defeat at the hands of Troy University
on December 18th, 2010 in the New Orleans Bowl
.
. He heads a staff of 9 assistant coaches, two graduate assistants, and a director of football operations:
. "The Battle of the Bricks" is an annual all-sports rivalry competition between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami RedHawks athletic programs. The name "Battle of the Bricks" evolved from each school's reputation of having a campus of red brick buildings. Each varsity athletic competition in which the Bobcats and RedHawks meet including tournament play is counted as part of the years series record. At the conclusion of each academic year, the school with the most varsity wins takes the trophy back to their campus for the following year.
Ohio's regional rival is Marshall University
. The annual football game between Ohio and Marshall is called "The Battle for the Bell", with a traveling bell trophy as the prize for the victor. The two schools met in the 2009 Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl in Detroit, with Marshall winning 21-17. Although Marshall had won each of the last six meetings between the schools up until the 2011 Ohio win of 44-7, Ohio leads the all time series over the Thundering Herd (30 wins, 19 losses, and 6 ties --- record is through their 2011 regular season match-up).
Source: Ohio Football Media Guide
, Boston
Shamrocks
William Snyder—Guard—1934-1935 Pittsburgh
Pirates
Lenny Sadosky—Halfback—1935-1936 Cleveland Rams
Art Lewis—Tackle—1936 New York Giants
; 1938-1939 Cleveland Rams
Robert Snyder—Quarterback—1936 Pittsburgh
Pirates
; 1937-1938 Cleveland Rams
; 1938–1941,1943 Chicago Bears
Paul Halleck—End—1937 Cleveland Rams
Len Janiak—Back—1940-1942 Cleveland Rams
Chet Adams
—Tackle—1939-1942 Cleveland Rams
; 1943 Green Bay Packers
; 1946-1948 Cleveland Browns
; 1949 Buffalo Bisons
John Fekete—Back—1946 Buffalo Bisons
Vince Costello
—Linebacker—1957-1966 Cleveland Browns
; 1967-1968 New York Giants
Robert Harrison—Back—1961 Baltimore Colts
Dick Grecni—Linebacker—1961 Minnesota Vikings
Robert Brooks—Back—1961 New York Titans
Alan Miller—Linebacker—1962-1963 Washington Redskins
Chuck Turner—Tackle—1966 Buffalo Bills
Todd Snyder—Wide Receiver—1969-1973 Atlanta Falcons
Jack Leveck—Linebacker—1973-1975 St. Louis Cardinals
; 1976 Chicago Bears
Dave Green
—Punter—1972-1975 Cincinnati Bengals
; 1976-1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Green—Punter—1976 Miami Dolphins
; 1977 Houston Oilers
Ray Bloch—Offensive Lineman—1984 Cleveland Browns
Glenn Hunter-Running Back-1985 Pittsburgh Steelers
Brian Bertoia—Offensive Lineman—1985 Cleveland Browns
Jason Carthen—Linebacker—1993 Buffalo Bills
; New England Patriots
Darren Reese—Offensive Lineman—1994 New York Giants
; 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars
Andy Canter—Offensive Lineman—1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Dave Zastudil
—Punter—2002-2005 Baltimore Ravens
; 2006–Present Cleveland Browns
Chad Brinker—Running Back/Returner—2003 New York Jets
Kevin Carberry—Defensive End—2005 Cleveland Browns
Chip Cox
—Defensive Back—2005 Detroit Lions
; 2007 Washington Redskins
Dion Byrum
—Cornerback—2006-2007 Chicago Bears
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, Carolina Panthers
Scott Mayle
—Wide Receiver—2007-2008 Buffalo Bills
Matt Muncy
—Linebacker—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
, 2008 Tennessee Titans
Voncarie Owens
—Running Back—2007 New Orleans Saints
Rudy Sylvan
—Tight End—2007-2008 Detroit Lions
T.J. Wright—Cornerback—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Landon Cohen
—Defensive Lineman—2008–Present Detroit Lions
Todd Koenig
—Safety—2008 Cleveland Browns
Kalvin McRae
—Running Back—2008 Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan Senser
—Long-Snapper—2008 New Orleans Saints
, 2009–Present Seattle Seahawks
Joshua Abrams
—Cornerback—2008–Present Green Bay Packers
Michael Mitchell—Safety—2009–Present Oakland Raiders
Taylor Price
—Wide Receiver—2010–Present New England Patriots
All players in BOLD are current NFL players.
Ohio Bobcats
Ohio University features 16 varsity sports teams called the Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference in all sports. The Bobcats were a charter member of the Mid-American Conference in 1946 and are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that...
football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
. The team represents the university as a member of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision level. The Bobcats have played their home games in Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium is a American football stadium on the banks of the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio. It has been the home of the Ohio Bobcats football team since 1929, and today has a capacity of 24,000...
since 1929.
Ohio Bobcats football began in 1894 with an 8-0 loss to Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
. Since that day, the Bobcats have posted a 510-521-48 record over their 117 year existence and a 202-238-11 record over their 64 years in the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. The Bobcats have won 5 MAC Football championships in 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, and 1968, and two MAC East Division championships in 2006 and 2009. Prior to joining the MAC, the Bobcats won 6 Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1938. In 1960, the Bobcats were crowned National Small College Champions after compiling a 10-0 record under Coach Bill Hess. The Bobcats have appeared in five bowl games, losing 15-14 to West Texas State
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
in the 1962 Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
, losing 49-42 to Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
, falling 28-7 to Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
in the 2007 GMAC Bowl
GMAC Bowl
The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and...
, losing 21-17 to Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
in the 2009 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
The 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association bowl game played at 1:00 PM EST on December 26, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan and aired on ESPN....
, and a defeat at the hands of Troy University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
on December 18th, 2010 in the New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans Bowl
The New Orleans Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana since 2001. The game was sponsored by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from 2002 to 2004 and was officially called the Wyndham New...
.
1892-1923: Beginnings
In 1892, Ohio University became a member of a four-school conference—the Athletic League of Ohio Colleges—which included Otterbein College, Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University
Wittenberg University is a private four-year liberal arts college in Springfield, Ohio serving 2,000 full-time students representing 37 states and approximately 30 foreign countries...
, and Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
. A schedule never materialized, however, and the league dissolved before even a single game was played. In preparation, though, a team was formed on Ohio’s campus and H.R. Higley was elected captain. He soon began coaching the team, according to the student newspaper, the Panorama. For the first time, the football team was given space in the Athena yearbook in 1892. The entire team was listed, by position and name.
The first intercollegiate football game involving an Ohio University team was played in Athens in 1894 against Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
. It was the only contest played that year by Ohio, with Marietta winning by a score of 8-0. The next year the Bobcats faced a five game schedule, under the leadership of coach Harvey Deme. The 1895 squad was 2-3, with wins against Parkersburg High School [abbreviated Parker H.S. in some early records] and Lancaster High School, and losses against Ohio Wesleyan and Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
(twice).
From 1896 to 1905, the football program was in a state of flux, with a new coach taking over the reins every year. Injuries and the untimely death of the Ohio University quarterback, on the field, in December of 1898, was a sombering event, with severe injuries often taking place in early collegiate football as uniforms of the era provided little physical protection. The coaches during this time period included Frank Remsberg, Warwick Ford, Peter McLaren, Fred Sullivan, Karl Core, Art Jones, Henry Hart, Joseph Railsback, and Harold Monosmith, with Sullivan being coach in both 1899 and 1903. The best records of this time period were forged in 1897 and 1901 under Warwick Ford and Art Jones, respectively. The ‘Cats were 7-2 in their 1897 campaign, and posted a 6-1-2 record in 1901.
The 1897 season, which produced the best record of any of the 19th Century campaigns, started with two straight losses -- to Marietta College and Cincinnati. The team then reeled off seven straight with victories over Muskingum College, Dennison College, Ohio Medical University, West Virginia University, Otterbein College, and Marietta College. The home victory over WVU inspired a poem that appeared in The Athens Messenger and Herald newspaper:
And they came and they were conquer'd
With swift dispatch and ease,
And they felt that twinging sorrow which
In vain they could appease
Thought not that woe awaited them
Across Ohio's stream.
And like the poet found that things
Aren't ever what they seem.
And they came from fair Virginia
The place of Morgantown.
Where swift Monogahela flows
Past mountains looking down:
Proud and boasting came they hither
To wrestle for the goals
Which they found almost as quickly
As disembodied souls.
Badly battered left they homeward
In vain could they conceal
The awful havoc of their bucks
'Gainst O.U.'s pointed steel:
And they left here sad but wiser
Of many manly tricks,
For the gridiron here is hot
As Athens politics.
Beginning in 1906, the Bobcats began to assert themselves as a more permanent entity on campus with the hiring of Arthur McFarland
Arthur McFarland
Arthur L. "Tiger" McFarland was an early professional American football player who played with the Greensburg Athletic Association as well as the Latrobe Athletic Association. He later played for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1902 version of the National Football League and for the 1903 US...
as head coach. The 1906 squad exploded for a 7-1 record, with wins over respected programs such as West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
and the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
. The program tailed off considerably in 1907, however, and would not post a .500 record until 1911 under coach Arthur Hinaman. The 1911 squad outscored all opponents 88-44, but only managed to post a 3-3-2 record.
Arguably the greatest Ohio team of the early era was Mark Bank’s 1915 squad. This storied club posted an 8-1 record and outscored all opponents by a combined 175-33. Beating such teams as the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
, and Transylvania University
Transylvania University
Transylvania University is a private, undergraduate liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, affiliated with the Christian Church . The school was founded in 1780. It offers 38 majors, and pre-professional degrees in engineering and accounting...
, the Bobcats’ only loss was a 13-6 affair versus archrival Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
.
Following the explosion of the 1915 team, the Bobcats experienced a period of success during the late 1910s. The 1916 team posted a record of 5-2-1, and the 1918 squad went an undefeated 4-0-1, with wins over the Ohio State freshman team and Denison University
Denison University
Denison University is private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, the state capital...
. In 1920, Russ Finsterwald was hired to lead the ‘Cats into a new decade. His tenure, however, was marked by relative mediocrity, with records of 4-3, 4-4-1, and 5-3 in his three years at the helm. F.B. Heldt was named coach in 1923, and posted a record of 3-5-1. His lack of success against challenging opponents lead to a quick dismissal, and ultimately forced the hiring of Bobcat legend Don Peden
Don Peden
Don C. Peden was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Ohio University from 1924 to 1946, compiling a record of 121–46–11. Peden's winning percentage of .711 is the highest of any coach in the history of the Ohio Bobcats football...
.
1924-1946: The Peden era
Through its football history, Ohio University has had 28 head coaches. Of these, Don PedenDon Peden
Don C. Peden was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Ohio University from 1924 to 1946, compiling a record of 121–46–11. Peden's winning percentage of .711 is the highest of any coach in the history of the Ohio Bobcats football...
has the longest tenure, 21 seasons. Over that period, he compiled a record of 121 wins, 46 losses and 11 ties. To this day, his .711 winning percentage is by far the best of any Bobcats coach with more than twenty games of competition. As part of Peden’s legacy, the Bobcats’ present-day stadium (known as Ohio Stadium in Peden’s time) now dons the name Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium is a American football stadium on the banks of the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio. It has been the home of the Ohio Bobcats football team since 1929, and today has a capacity of 24,000...
.
Peden’s tenure began rather unceremoniously in 1924, with a 4-4 record. The next year, however, Peden led the ‘Cats to a 6-2 season, and wins over the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
and the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
. From 1926 to 1928, the Bobcats posted winning records every season, with the 1928 team forging a 6-3 season and a marquee 66-6 victory over the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
.
Peden oversaw one of the Bobcats’ best-ever spans—seven seasons from 1929 through1935—in which Ohio compiled a cumulative record of 49-9-3. In that period, Peden’s squads won four Buckeye Athletic Association championships and enjoyed three undefeated seasons. In 1929, the Bobcats moved into brand new Ohio Stadium, and celebrated with a 9-0 record and just 7 points all season (a lone touchdown to Ohio Wesleyan). The 1935 team upset the University of Illinois in the season opener, 6-0, on its way to a perfect 8-0 season. That year, the Bobcats were led by All-American Art Lewis, a sturdy tackle who was a first-round selection of the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the first-ever National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
draft in 1936. Lewis would go on to become a very successful college coach himself at West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
.
Peden continued his legacy of success following the graduation of Lewis and the other seniors of the 1935 team. He won a Buckeye Athletic Association title in 1936 and another in 1938, with the 1938 team being one of the best under Peden. That team upset the University of Illinois yet again, and also earned victories over Xavier University
Xavier University (Cincinnati)
Xavier University is a co-educational Jesuit university in the United States located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation and has an undergraduate enrollment of about 4,000 students and graduate enrollment of 2,600 students. Xavier is primarily...
, Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
, and arch-rival Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
.
The Bobcats would never win another Buckeye Athletic Association title under Peden, though he still led the team through many winning seasons and thrilling victories. His storied 1941 team posted a record of 5-2-1 while outscoring all opponents 108-42. Bobcat football was interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, with Ohio not fielding a team in either the 1943 or 1944 seasons. The 1945 team was 3-4 while struggling to recruit new members after the war and facing a challenging schedule. In his final year as head coach, 1946, Peden steered the Bobcats into the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
as a charter member. Today, the Bobcats are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that included Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
, the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
, and Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
. The 1946 squad was 6-3, and posted impressive wins over Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
and Murray State University
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
.
1947-1957: A decade of change
With the retirement of legendary coach Don Peden in 1946, the Ohio athletics administration knew that it would be challenging to find a worthy successor. The man chosen was Harold Wise, who lasted only two seasons and posted 3-5-1 and 3-6 records. His teams were competitive, but struggled to face the challenging schedule presented by membership in the MAC. His 1948 team, though only 3-6, is best known for its 37-7 demolishing of Case Western Reserve UniversityCase Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
.
In 1949, Carroll Widdoes
Carroll Widdoes
Carroll C. Widdoes was an American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at Ohio State University and Ohio University , compiling a career record of 58–38–5...
became the new coach of the Bobcats following a successful two year tenure at the helm of the Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
. Widdoes led the team to a 4-4-1 record in his first year, and made noise with an opening day upset of the West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
. Widdoes’ 1950, 1951, and 1952 teams all posted winning records, and were led by All-American linebacker Vince Costello
Vince Costello
Vincent Costello is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants...
. Costello would go on to a highly-decorated professional career with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
The 1953 squad won Ohio’s first ever Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
title, while posting an impressive 6-2-1 record (5-0-1 MAC). The 1954 squad failed to disappoint as well, posting a 6-3 mark against a challenging gauntlet that featured perennial power Harvard. The 1955 Bobcats were 5-4, but in 1956 and 1957 Ohio was 2-7 and 2-6-1, respectively. With two losing seasons in a row, Widdoes resigned as coach and became Ohio’s athletics director. Widdoes handpicked a successor in Bill Hess
Bill Hess
William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list...
, who had spent seven seasons as an assistant to Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
and brought a similar philosophy back to Athens.
1958-1977: The Hess era
If one Bobcat coach can rival the success of Don Peden, it is certainly Bill HessBill Hess
William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list...
. In his 19 seasons at the helm, Hess had a 108-91-4 record, placing him second to Peden on Ohio’s all-time wins list. His winning percentage is .542, and he is responsible for bringing 4 MAC titles and one National Championship to Athens. He also took the Bobcats to two bowl games, and oversaw countless winning seasons and exciting victories along the way.
The 1958 season under Hess ushered in a new level of Bobcat success. Against a grueling schedule, Ohio was 5-4, and amassed a thrilling 23-6 upset of the Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
. That team outscored all opponents by a combined 159-102, but was only a precursor of the impending prominence. In Hess’s second season in 1959, Ohio went 7-2, finishing as runners-up to an undefeated Bowling Green Falcons
Bowling Green Falcons
The Bowling Green Falcons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Bowling Green State University, located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Falcons participate in NCAA Division I in the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. BGSU is one of only 13 universities in the...
squad. The following year, 1960, the Green and White enjoyed what many argue was their best season ever. Behind the powerful running of Robert Brooks and the blocking and tackling of two-way standout Dick Grecni, the Bobcats went a perfect 10-0. In the process, they claimed the National College Division championship. Grecni earned All-America honors and was one of five standouts on that team who eventually played professionally.
Two years later in 1962, Hess led Ohio to its first-ever bowl game, a matchup with West Texas State in the 1962 Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
. Jim McKee kicked a 52-yard field goal to put the Bobcats ahead early but they trailed at the half 7-3. In the third quarter, three time all-MAC performer Skip Hoovler intercepted a pass and ran it back 91 yards for a touchdown. Ohio led 14-7 late in the game before West Texas scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to win 15-14. Hoovler was named Lineman of the Game, and his 91-yard interception still stands as a Sun Bowl record. Ironically, the Bobcats did not win the MAC in that 1962 season but did go to a bowl. The following season, Ohio won the league championship but was not invited to a bowl game.
From 1964 to 1966, Hess’s teams struggled, with the low point being a 0-10 season in 1965. The ‘Cats were far from a disaster, however, and in 1967, Hess would claim his third MAC championship (shared with the Toledo Rockets
Toledo Rockets
The Toledo Rockets are the athletic teams that represent the University of Toledo. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play in the Mid-American Conference . The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.Toledo's...
). That team also raised eyebrows with a 30-15 win over Kansas, runners-up in the Big Eight conference that season. It was a performance that hinted at even greater things to come.
In 1968, the most explosive Bobcat offense ever stormed its way to a 10-0 regular season, a MAC championship, and an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
. Along the way, they racked up 418 points in 11 games. That average of 37.6 points per game stood as the MAC record until 1997. The amazing pass-and-catch combination of Cleve Bryant and Todd Snyder, coupled with the sturdy running of Dave LeVeck and Bob Houmard, proved to be nearly unstoppable. The 1968 season also marked Ohio’s first-ever appearance in the Top 20. On the heels of a 28-27 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons
Bowling Green Falcons
The Bowling Green Falcons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Bowling Green State University, located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Falcons participate in NCAA Division I in the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. BGSU is one of only 13 universities in the...
in which the Bobcats scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes, Bryant led the way to a 60-48 win against the Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. Since July 1, 2005, the school's athletic teams have been members of the Big East Conference....
. Sports Illustrated called it an “insane circus” and it helped to land the ‘Cats at 18th in the United Press International coaches’ poll and 20th in the Associated Press writers’ poll. Ohio would cap off the season at the Tangerine Bowl against the Richmond Spiders
Richmond Spiders
The Richmond Spiders represent the University of Richmond, a member of the NCAA's Division I and a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference for all sports except football and women's golf, which participate as members of the Colonial Athletic Association....
and to no one’s surprise the contest was another shootout. Bryant threw four touchdown passes and Snyder caught 11 passes for 214 yards. But it wasn’t enough, however, as Richmond prevailed for a 49-42 win.
The 1969 season saw the Bobcats begin to tail off a bit, with the team only posting a record of 5-4-1. That team did score several impressive victories, though, with a 46-6 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. Since July 1, 2005, the school's athletic teams have been members of the Big East Conference....
and a 35-35 tie against the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
. Hess’s squads would not enjoy a .500 record again until 1973, when the ‘Cats were 5-5 with a 14-12 upset of the Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats
The Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and the only private university in the conference. Northwestern has eight men's and eleven women's Division I sports teams. The mascot is Willie the Wildcat...
. The 1974 and 1975 teams were 6-5 and 5-5-1, respectively, and built up to the successful 1976 season. In Hess’s second to last year, Ohio managed a 7-4 mark, including a 6-2 record against MAC foes. Hess would also coach the 1977 team while fighting a battle with cancer, leading the team to a 1-10 record that included numerous close losses to challenging opponents.
1978-1994: A struggle to compete
The darkest era in Bobcat football history followed the passing of legend Bill HessBill Hess
William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list...
. Hess’s successor was Bob Kappes, who lasted only one year and posted a 3-8 record. Kappes was replaced by Brian Burke, who brought the program back to a reasonable level of respectability. The 1979 and 1980 teams were both 6-5, with the Bobcats managing to beat Miami
Miami RedHawks
Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, features 18 different varsity level sports teams for men and women, all of which are known as the Miami RedHawks...
both years. The 1982 squad also managed a 6-5 mark, with a key 20-0 win over Miami
Miami RedHawks
Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, features 18 different varsity level sports teams for men and women, all of which are known as the Miami RedHawks...
and a 17-14 upset of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
.
Following a 1984 season that saw the ‘Cats go 4-6-1, Burke was replaced by Cleve Bryant, an Ohio legend who was responsible for quarterbacking the 1967 and 1968 MAC championship teams. Bryant proved less successful as a coach, however, and led the team to a 2-9 record in his first year. He followed that up with 1-10 campaigns in 1986 and 1987, leading to his best year in 1988. That year, the ‘Cats were 4-6-1, and beat Miami
Miami RedHawks
Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, features 18 different varsity level sports teams for men and women, all of which are known as the Miami RedHawks...
for the first time in 4 years. Bryant’s team fell to 1-9-1 in 1989, though, and Bryant was subsequently relieved of his duties as coach of the ‘Cats.
The 1990 season saw the arrival of Tom Lichtenberg to coach the Bobcats, though the results on the field were similar to those seen under Bryant. The 1990 squad was 1-9-1, and that was followed up with a 2-8-1 performance in 1991. Lichtenberg’s best year was 1993, in which he led the Bobcats to a 4-7 mark and a win over Miami
Miami RedHawks
Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, features 18 different varsity level sports teams for men and women, all of which are known as the Miami RedHawks...
for the first time since 1988. However, the 1994 Bobcats were winless, going 0-11 and leading to the dismissal of Lichtenberg and his staff.
1995-2004: Resurgence and regression
In 1995, Jim GrobeJim Grobe
Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
took over an Ohio program that was in great need of an overhaul. He brought with him a unique offensive and defensive philosophy learned as a long-time assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. While most of the college football world was moving towards a high-octane passing attack, Grobe took the Bobcats back to the basics of the triple option, with wildly successful results. Ohio scored over 300 points in both 1996 and 1997, going 8-3 in 1997. It was the Green and White’s first winning season in 15 years. Grobe’s squads were prolific offensive teams, in spite of the media’s ill-conceived notion of an “antique” offense. Kareem Wilson, the Bobcats’ fireplug of a quarterback, was voted the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year following a 1996 season in which he rushed for 1,072 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns. Meanwhile, fullback Steveland Hookfin was piling up 3,972 rushing yards during the same era to become Ohio’s all-time rushing leader. Wilson’s total of 3,597 yards still stands as the fifth-most ever by an NCAA quarterback. His 875 career carries are the most by a signal caller in college football history.
Following the success of the 1996 and 1997 campaigns, Grobe teams fell to 5-6 in both 1998 and 1999. In 2000, however, the ‘Cats went 7-4 and upset the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
for their first win over a Big Ten team in 27 years. Ohio finished that season with a win over Marshall
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
, giving the ‘Cats two wins over bowl teams for the first time since the 1970s. The 2000 team also set a new school record for total offense, piling up 4,599 yards. The total broke the previous mark held by the legendary 1968 squad.
After the 2000 season, however, Grobe left the ‘Cats to become head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Originally, Wake Forest's athletic teams were known as the Fighting Baptists, due to its association with the Baptist Convention...
. His appointed successor was Brian Knorr
Brian Knorr
Brian Knorr is a college football wide receivers coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and played quarterback. He also was an assistant at the Air Force Academy when he went to Ohio University with Jim Grobe. He was the head coach of the...
, who had been an assistant with Grobe while at Air Force
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
and was Grobe’s defensive coordinator at Ohio. Knorr proved inept as a head coach, however, and posted a 1-10 mark in 2001 despite retaining many players from the 7-4 2000 squad. Knorr was 4-8 in 2002, and regressed to 2-10 in 2003. In 2004 a slight improvement was seen with a 4-7 record and a marquee win over the Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
, but it was too little too late for Knorr. He was fired after the 2004 season and subsequently replaced with former Nebraska coach Frank Solich
Frank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
.
2005-Present: The Solich era
Frank SolichFrank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
was named the 28th football coach of the Bobcats on December 16, 2004. Prior to coming to Ohio, Solich spent many years as a part of the University of Nebraska football program, as a player, an assistant coach, and later as the head coach. Solich was head coach of the Cornhuskers from 1998-2003 where he directed Nebraska to 6 consecutive bowl games, including the national championship game in the 2002 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. Solich's impact on the Ohio program was immediate, as plans were put in place to renovate Ohio's football facilities and increase financial support for the football program. Also, Ohio was selected to appear on national television 6 times for the 2005 football season, a record for the program. Frank Solich's first home game as coach of Ohio was a memorable one, as Peden Stadium brought in its largest crowd ever at the time to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
Panthers
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
16-10.
Under the guidance of Frank Solich, the Ohio football program enjoyed a return to national prominence in 2006. On November 16, 2006 the Bobcats secured their first ever Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
East Division title and their first football championship of any sort since 1968 with a victory over the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
Zips
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. They then advanced to the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, where they were defeated by Central Michigan 31-10. On January 7, 2007, the Bobcats acted as the MAC representative in the GMAC Bowl
GMAC Bowl
The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and...
in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, losing 28-7 to The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
Golden Eagles
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
in a game nationally televised on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.
The Bobcats followed up the impressive 2006 campaign with a 6-6 record in 2007, and was one of 6 bowl eligible
Bowl eligible
Bowl eligibility in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision College Football is the standard through which teams become available for selection to participate in postseason bowl games. When a team achieves this state, it is described as "bowl-eligible"...
programs that was not invited to post-season play. The Bobcats returned to the post-season in 2009, posting a 9-3 regular season record and another MAC East Championship. Ohio played in the MAC Championship Game, where they fell to Central Michigan 20-10. On December 26, 2009, the Bobcats fell 21-17 to the Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
Thundering Herd
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, and a defeat at the hands of Troy University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
on December 18th, 2010 in the New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans Bowl
The New Orleans Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana since 2001. The game was sponsored by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from 2002 to 2004 and was officially called the Wyndham New...
.
Present coaching staff
Since December 16, 2004, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Frank SolichFrank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
. He heads a staff of 9 assistant coaches, two graduate assistants, and a director of football operations:
| Name | Position | Year | Former Ohio positions held | Alma mater | |
| Frank Solich Frank Solich Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season... |
Head Coach | 2005 | University of Nebraska 1966 | ||
| Tim Albin | Co-Offensive Coordinator-Running Backs | 2005 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University Northwestern Oklahoma State University Northwestern Oklahoma State University, also known as NWOSU, is a university in Alva, Oklahoma, United States, with satellite campuses in Enid and Woodward. A state university, it offers both bachelor's and master's degrees.-Establishment:... 1989 |
||
| Jimmy Burrow | Defensive Coordinator | 2005 | University of Nebraska 1976 | ||
| Scott Isphording | Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator | 2009 | Hanover College Hanover College Hanover College is a private liberal arts college, located in Hanover, Indiana, near the banks of the Ohio River. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . The college was founded in 1827 by the Rev. John Finley Crowe, making it the oldest private college in Indiana. The Hanover... 1994 |
||
| David Brown | Defensive Backs | 2006 | Cal Poly California Polytechnic State University California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system.... 1996 |
||
| Dwayne Dixon | Wide Receivers | 2007 | University of Florida University of Florida The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906... 1985 |
||
| Ross Els | Linebackers | 2005 | University of Nebraska-Omaha 1988 | ||
| Gerry Gdowski | Co- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | 2005 | University of Nebraska 1990 | ||
| Kevin Lightner | Offensive Line | 2005 | University of Nebraska 1996 | ||
| Pete Germano | Defensive Line | 2001 | Linebackers 2003-2004, Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 2004-2009 | Ohio Wesleyan 1982 | |
| Jason Grooms | Director of Football Operations | 2005 | Ohio University Ohio University Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus... 2001 |
||
| Nate Saum | Graduate Assistant-Offense | 2009 | Ohio University Ohio University Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus... 2009 |
||
| Bryan Nardo | Graduate Assistant-Defense | 2008 | Ohio University Ohio University Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus... 2008 |
Bobcat football traditions
Ohio football is rich in traditions, and Coach Solich has since his hiring made upholding tradition a cornerstone of his program. Some Ohio football traditions include:- Rufus the Bobcat - The school mascot, a fierce yet friendly looking Bobcat that always sports an Ohio jersey with a number "1" on the back. Avowed enemy of Brutus BuckeyeBrutus BuckeyeBrutus Buckeye is the athletics mascot of The Ohio State University. Brutus is a student dressed in Buckeye colors with a headpiece resembling an Ohio Buckeye nut. Brutus has appeared since 1965, with periodic updates to design and wardrobe...
. The name 'Rufus' was given to the university mascot, after an alumnus, Michael A Massa, suggested that a proper name be given to the bobcat, in 2006. A university-wide name competition resulted in the popular new moniker. - The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching Band, known as the Marching 110, is known for its high-intensity, hard-driving marching style.Originally referring to the 110 members of the band in 1968, the band has now extended its membership to 227 members during this 2011 season...
- "The Most Exciting Band in the Land" was ranked by Link Magazine in 1996 as one of the Top 10 college marching bands in the nation. They perform at every Ohio home football game and have marched in other events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Tournament of Roses Parade, and numerous NFL games. The band was reborn in 1967 from it's pervious co-ed state, in which members wore green blazers and ties, and the women wearing the blazer with long skirts. Under Gene Thrailkill, the band became the all male Marching Men of Ohio. In 1975, women were re-admitted to the band, and remain so to this day. The band is known for playing current day music, and putting on an energetic and exciting performance every game. The band is also known for it's dance breaks, one of which is performed every halftime. The band is currently under the direction of Dr. Richard Suk. - "Stand Up and Cheer" - Ohio's fight song
- "Alma Mater, Ohio" - Ohio's alma mater song
- Salute to the Students - Following every Ohio home football game, win or lose, Ohio football players head to the student section to thank the Bobcat's most rabid fans for attending, and sing "Alma Mater, Ohio" with the Marching 110, and students present.
- The Cannon - After every Ohio score, an 1800s style military cannon is fired. When the Bobcats enter the field, the cannon shoots off a smoke "O" that can be seen for several minutes before fading into the air.
- The "O-Zone" - The student cheering section at every Ohio men's football game.
- Tail-Great Park - The park across from Peden Stadium is transformed for every home football game into "Tail-Great Park". The park features kid's games, live music, and tailgating everywhere the eye can see on gameday.
- Homecoming Parade - The annual homecoming parade at Ohio begins in downtown Athens and ends in the Peden Stadium parking lot just in time for the big game. Always on a Saturday afternoon, homecoming is always one of the highest attended games of the football season.
Rivalries
Ohio's archrival is Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
. "The Battle of the Bricks" is an annual all-sports rivalry competition between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami RedHawks athletic programs. The name "Battle of the Bricks" evolved from each school's reputation of having a campus of red brick buildings. Each varsity athletic competition in which the Bobcats and RedHawks meet including tournament play is counted as part of the years series record. At the conclusion of each academic year, the school with the most varsity wins takes the trophy back to their campus for the following year.
Ohio's regional rival is Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
. The annual football game between Ohio and Marshall is called "The Battle for the Bell", with a traveling bell trophy as the prize for the victor. The two schools met in the 2009 Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl in Detroit, with Marshall winning 21-17. Although Marshall had won each of the last six meetings between the schools up until the 2011 Ohio win of 44-7, Ohio leads the all time series over the Thundering Herd (30 wins, 19 losses, and 6 ties --- record is through their 2011 regular season match-up).
All-time coaching records
| Head Coach | Period | W-L-T Record | Win % | Buckeye Athletic Association Championships | MAC Championships | MAC East Championships |
| No Coach | 1894 | 0-1 | .000 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Harvey Deme | 1895 | 2-3 | .400 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Frank Remsburg | 1896 | 4-2-1 | .643 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Warwick Ford | 1897 | 7-2 | .778 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Pete McLaren | 1898 | 1-2-1 | .375 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fred Sullivan | 1899/1903 | 4-6 | .400 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Karl Core | 1900 | 2-4 | .375 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Art Jones | 1901 | 6-1-2 | .778 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Harold Monosmith | 1902 | 0-5-1 | .083 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Henry Hart | 1904 | 2-4-1 | .357 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Joseph Railsbeck | 1905 | 2-5-2 | .333 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arthur McFarland Arthur McFarland Arthur L. "Tiger" McFarland was an early professional American football player who played with the Greensburg Athletic Association as well as the Latrobe Athletic Association. He later played for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1902 version of the National Football League and for the 1903 US... |
1906–1908 | 13-10-1 | .562 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Robert Woods | 1909–1910 | 2-10-3 | .233 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arthur Hinaman | 1911–1912 | 4-10-3 | .323 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mark Banks | 1913–1917 | 22-17-2 | .561 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Frank Gullum | 1918–1919 | 7-5-1 | .577 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Russ Finsterwald | 1920–1922 | 13-10-1 | .562 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| F.B. Heldt | 1923 | 3-5-1 | .389 | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Don Peden Don Peden Don C. Peden was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Ohio University from 1924 to 1946, compiling a record of 121–46–11. Peden's winning percentage of .711 is the highest of any coach in the history of the Ohio Bobcats football... |
1924–1946 | 121-46-11 | .711 | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| Harold Wise | 1947–1948 | 6-11-1 | .361 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Carroll Widdoes Carroll Widdoes Carroll C. Widdoes was an American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at Ohio State University and Ohio University , compiling a career record of 58–38–5... |
1949–1957 | 42-36-5 | .536 | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Bill Hess Bill Hess William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list... |
1958–1977 | 108-91-4 | .542 | n/a | 4 | n/a |
| Bob Kappes | 1978 | 3-8 | .273 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Brian Burke | 1979–1984 | 31-34-1 | .478 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Cleve Bryant | 1985–1989 | 9-44-2 | .182 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Tom Lichtenberg | 1990–1994 | 8-45-2 | .145 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Jim Grobe Jim Grobe Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University... |
1995–2000 | 33-33-1 | .500 | n/a | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Knorr Brian Knorr Brian Knorr is a college football wide receivers coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and played quarterback. He also was an assistant at the Air Force Academy when he went to Ohio University with Jim Grobe. He was the head coach of the... |
2001–2004 | 11-35 | .239 | n/a | 0 | 0 |
| Frank Solich Frank Solich Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season... |
2005–Present | 48-39 | .552 | n/a | 0 | 2 |
| TOTALS | 1894-Current | 514-523-48 | .496 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
Source: Ohio Football Media Guide
All-time bowl games
| Date | Bowl | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA |
| December 31, 1962 | Sun Bowl Sun Bowl The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl... |
L | West Texas State | 14 | 15 |
| December 27, 1968 | Tangerine Bowl Capital One Bowl The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl... |
L | Richmond University of Richmond The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate... |
42 | 49 |
| January 7, 2007 | GMAC Bowl 2007 GMAC Bowl The 2007 GMAC Bowl was an American college football bowl game. It was part of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was the 9th edition. It was played in January 2007, and featured the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, and the Ohio Bobcats.... |
L | Southern Mississippi | 7 | 28 |
| December 26, 2009 | Little Caesars Pizza Bowl 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl The 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association bowl game played at 1:00 PM EST on December 26, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan and aired on ESPN.... |
L | Marshall 2009 Marshall Thundering Herd football team The 2009 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2009 season. Marshall competed as a member of the East Division of Conference USA, and played their home... |
17 | 21 |
| December 18, 2010 | New Orleans Bowl 2010 New Orleans Bowl The 2010 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl was the tenth edition of the bowl. The game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 9 p.m. ET. The contest was televised live on ESPN... |
L | Troy 2010 Troy Trojans football team The 2010 Troy Trojans football team represented Troy University in the college football season of 2010–2011. They played their home games at Movie Gallery Stadium in Troy, Alabama and competed in the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by 20th year head coach Larry Blakeney... |
21 | 48 |
| Total | 5 Bowl Games | 0–5 | 101 | 161 |
All-time MAC records
Over the years, Ohio has either won outright or shared 5 MAC titles. With a 5-2 league record so far in the 2011-2012 season, Ohio owns an all-time MAC record of 206-240-11 in 61 seasons of league competition.| Opponent | W-L-T record |
| Akron Akron Zips One of the unique nicknames in all of intercollegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron. Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname... |
14-12-1 |
| Ball State Ball State Cardinals Ball State University's athletic teams are called the Cardinals. The Cardinals are part of the NCAA Mid-American Conference and located in Muncie, Indiana... |
8-14 |
| Bowling Green Bowling Green Falcons The Bowling Green Falcons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Bowling Green State University, located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Falcons participate in NCAA Division I in the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. BGSU is one of only 13 universities in the... |
24-36-2 |
| Buffalo Buffalo Bulls The Buffalo Bulls are the athletic teams representing the University at Buffalo in intercollegiate athletics. The Bulls currently play in Division I , and are a member of the Mid-American Conference for all sports except women's rowing who is in the Cononial Athletic Assocition . They have been a... |
10-8 |
| Central Michigan Central Michigan Chippewas The Central Michigan Chippewas are the sixteen men's and women's athletics teams of Central Michigan University. CMU was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1950-1970. The school's athletics programs are affiliated with the NCAA and compete in the Mid-American... |
5-21-2 |
| Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan Eagles The Eastern Michigan Eagles, formerly known as the Eastern Michigan Hurons, are the athletic teams for Eastern Michigan University. Altogether, they have won three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 NAIA Division I national championships in five different sports The Eastern Michigan... |
15-11-1 |
| Kent State Kent State Golden Flashes Kent State University's intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Golden Flashes or simply as the Flashes. The university fields sixteen varsity athletic teams, all of whom play in the Mid-American Conference and in the NCAA's Division I... |
40-22-2 |
| Miami University Miami RedHawks Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, features 18 different varsity level sports teams for men and women, all of which are known as the Miami RedHawks... |
33-51-2 |
| Northern Illinois Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P... |
9-9 |
| Temple Temple Owls Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a very long-running athletic program. The school's sports teams are called the Owls, originating from the university's early days as a night school. The current athletic director is Bill Bradshaw.... |
3-1 |
| Toledo Toledo Rockets The Toledo Rockets are the athletic teams that represent the University of Toledo. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play in the Mid-American Conference . The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.Toledo's... |
19-30-1 |
| Western Michigan Western Michigan Broncos The Western Michigan Broncos are a NCAA Division I FBS team representing Western Michigan University. They compete in the Mid-American Conference in men's baseball, basketball, football, soccer and tennis; and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field,... |
28-30-1 |
| TOTAL | 206-240-11 |
Ohio's All-Time Players in the NFL
Russell Kepler—Halfback—1933-1936 Cleveland RamsCleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
Shamrocks
Shamrocks
Shamrocks is a solitaire game akin to La Belle Lucie. The object is the same as the latter: move the cards into the foundations.-Rules:The game is layout out as in La Belle Lucie: seventeen piles of three cards are placed on the table with one card counting as an eighteenth. Any card that can be...
William Snyder—Guard—1934-1935 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Lenny Sadosky—Halfback—1935-1936 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Art Lewis—Tackle—1936 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1938-1939 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Robert Snyder—Quarterback—1936 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
; 1937-1938 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
; 1938–1941,1943 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Paul Halleck—End—1937 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Len Janiak—Back—1940-1942 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Chet Adams
Chet Adams
Chet Adams was a professional American football offensive tackle who played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Cleveland Browns....
—Tackle—1939-1942 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
; 1943 Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
; 1946-1948 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1949 Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
John Fekete—Back—1946 Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
Vince Costello
Vince Costello
Vincent Costello is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants...
—Linebacker—1957-1966 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1967-1968 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Robert Harrison—Back—1961 Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
Dick Grecni—Linebacker—1961 Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
Robert Brooks—Back—1961 New York Titans
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Alan Miller—Linebacker—1962-1963 Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
Chuck Turner—Tackle—1966 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Todd Snyder—Wide Receiver—1969-1973 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Jack Leveck—Linebacker—1973-1975 St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
; 1976 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Dave Green
Dave Green (American football)
Dave Green is a former punter and placekicker in the National Football League. He played for the Houston Oilers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
—Punter—1972-1975 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
; 1976-1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Mike Green—Punter—1976 Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1977 Houston Oilers
Ray Bloch—Offensive Lineman—1984 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Glenn Hunter-Running Back-1985 Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Brian Bertoia—Offensive Lineman—1985 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Jason Carthen—Linebacker—1993 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
Darren Reese—Offensive Lineman—1994 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Andy Canter—Offensive Lineman—1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Dave Zastudil
Dave Zastudil
David Michael Zastudil is an American football punter for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
—Punter—2002-2005 Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
; 2006–Present Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Chad Brinker—Running Back/Returner—2003 New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Kevin Carberry—Defensive End—2005 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Chip Cox
Chip Cox
Chip Cox is a Canadian football linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.-High school career:...
—Defensive Back—2005 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
; 2007 Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
Dion Byrum
Dion Byrum
Dion Byrum is an American football cornerback in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators....
—Cornerback—2006-2007 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
Scott Mayle
Scott Mayle
Scott Mayle is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Wide Receiver—2007-2008 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Matt Muncy
Matt Muncy
Matt Muncy is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He is also a football coach at Miamisburg High School. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Linebacker—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, 2008 Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
Voncarie Owens
Voncarie Owens
Voncarie Owens is a running back for Team Michigan of the All American Football League. Owens was signed by the Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 30, 2007 after four years as a collegiate player at Ohio University.-Ohio University career:...
—Running Back—2007 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
Rudy Sylvan
Rudy Sylvan
Rudy Sylvan is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Tight End—2007-2008 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
T.J. Wright—Cornerback—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
Landon Cohen
Landon Cohen
Landon Cohen is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
—Defensive Lineman—2008–Present Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
Todd Koenig
Todd Koenig
Todd Koenig was an American football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2008, but was cut from the roster on May 6...
—Safety—2008 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Kalvin McRae
Kalvin McRae
Kalvin "Big Play" McRae is an American football running back who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League prior to the beginning of training camp. He was originally signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2008...
—Running Back—2008 Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Ryan Senser
Ryan Senser
Ryan Senser is an American football long snapper for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League . He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
—Long-Snapper—2008 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, 2009–Present Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Joshua Abrams
Joshua Abrams
Joshua Abrams is a Canadian football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Ohio...
—Cornerback—2008–Present Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
Michael Mitchell—Safety—2009–Present Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Taylor Price
Taylor Price
-New England Patriots:Price was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. On May 25, 2010, he signed a four-year deal with the Patriots. Price was inactive for the first 15 games of his rookie regular season before making his NFL debut in the Week 17 finale...
—Wide Receiver—2010–Present New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
All players in BOLD are current NFL players.
Ohio's All Americans
- Gerald Moore-2009
- Lavon Brazil-2009
- Noah Keller-2009
- Matt Weller-2009
- Dion ByrumDion ByrumDion Byrum is an American football cornerback in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators....
-2005 - Dave ZastudilDave ZastudilDavid Michael Zastudil is an American football punter for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
-2001 - Mark Poindexter -1983
- Cleve Bryant—1968
- Todd Snyder—1968
- Ken Carmon—1968
- John Frick—1966
- Skip Hoovler—1963
- Bob Brooks—1960
- Dick Grecni—1960
- Vince Costello—1952
- Al Scheider—1951
- John Kerns—1946
- Danny Risaliti—1940
- Art Lewis—1935
- Lenard Sadosky—1932