| YEAR | OPPONENT | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 10–18 |
| 1892 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 26–10 |
| 1893 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 8–10 |
| 1894 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 20–4 |
| 1895 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 12–10 |
| 1896 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 18–34 |
| 1897 | Ohio State vs. Ohio Wesleyan | 0–6 |
| 1898 | Ohio State vs. Ohio Wesleyan | 24–0 |
| 1899 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 5–0 |
| 1900 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 23–5 |
| 1901 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 11–6 |
| 1902 | Ohio State vs. Indiana | 6–6 |
| 1903 | Ohio State vs. Indiana | 16–17 |
| 1904 | Ohio State vs. Carlisle Indians | 0–23 |
| 1905 | Ohio State vs. Indiana | 0–11 |
| 1906 | Ohio State vs. Ohio Medical | 11–8 |
| 1907 | Ohio State vs. Ohio Wesleyan | 16–0 |
| 1908 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 19–9 |
| 1909 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 22–0 |
| 1910 | Ohio State vs. Kenyon | 53–0 |
| 1911 | Ohio State at Cincinnati | 11–6 |
| 1912 | Ohio State vs. Michigan State | 20–35 |
| 1917 | Ohio State vs. Camp Sherman | 28–0 |
Note: This is an annual post that runs every Thanksgiving.
Long before the NFL claimed Thanksgiving as its day to play football, Ohio State competed on Turkey Day during its inaugural season of 1890. In fact, the Buckeyes played a total of 23 times on Thanksgiving with 21 consecutive between 1890 and 1912. All of the games were home games.
The Buckeyes' first Turkey Day game was during the inaugural season of 1890 against Kenyon, who won 18-10. The two schools played on Thanksgiving 11 more times over the next 18 seasons with the Buckeyes winning the Thanksgiving series 9–3.
Ohio State's last Thanksgiving game was a 28-0 win over Camp Sherman in 1917. The Buckeyes are 14–8–1 on this holiday and have outscored their opponents 349-218.
Of the 23 Thanksgiving Day games, only one was played away from Columbus. in 1911, the Buckeyes traveled to Cincinnati and beat the Bearcats 11-6.
The Game: Before or After Thanksgiving?
Since 2010, The Game has been played at noon the Saturday following Thanksgiving. For many people, they would believe this is the way it's always been. Yes, playing after Thanksgiving at noon is the new normal, but it's not the traditional day, or time The Game has been played.
Through the years, Ohio State has played That Team 38 times (including this year) after Turkey Day. The Buckeyes are 8–7–1 in this scenario when playing Columbus and 16–18–3 overall.
The first time the rivalry was played after Thanksgiving was in 1918. Fielding Yost's side defeated John Wilce and the Buckeyes, 14-0. The 2:00 kickoff took place on Ohio Field in front of 5,000 fans. It would take another 21 years for The Game to take place after Thanksgiving.
| OPPONENT | RECORD | TOTAL POINTS/AVG |
|---|---|---|
| KENYON | 9–3 (.750) | 217–106 /// 18–9 |
| OHIO WESLEYAN | 2–1 (.667) | 40–6 /// 13–2 |
| CAMP SHERMAN | 1–0 (1.000) | 28–0 /// 28–0 |
| CINCINNATI | 1–0 (1.000) | 11–6 /// 11–6 |
| OHIO MEDICAL | 1–0 (1.000) | 11–8 /// 11–8 |
| INDIANA | 0–2–1 (.167) | 22–34 /// 7–11 |
| CARLISLE INDIANS | 0–1 (.000) | 0–23 /// 0–23 |
| MICHIGAN STATE | 0–1 (.000) | 20–35 /// 20-35 |
| TOTAL | 14–8–1 (.630) | 349–218 /// 15–10 |
Between 1939 and 2009 only 23 of the 71 matchups were played after the national holiday. Prior to the 12 straight currently being played on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the longest streak was the four played between 1990 and 1993.
If you are a traditionalist, the game should be played the Saturday before Thanksgiving with a kickoff between 2:00 and 2:30. Close to 29 percent of the games for this storied rivalry have been played five days before Thanksgiving and starting in this time frame.
With that, the Buckeyes are 11–20–3 when kicking off between 2:00 and 2:30 before Thanksgiving and 36–43–3 overall prior to the holiday.
Ohio State is 9–4 since the new tradition of playing at noon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving was established in 2010. Prior to 2010, the teams faced off six times at noon after Thanksgiving.
No matter the time, or day The Game is played, I'm wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the company of your family, friends and loved ones ... in whatever manner you are able to connect today.
Giving big thanks for Ohio State's domination in The Game during the 21st century. May the streak get back on track and the cheaters get their due on the field Saturday and from the NCAA in the coming months.
