As we count down the rich and storied history of Ohio State football, we look back at the 1927 Buckeyes, the 38th team to suit up for the Scarlet and Gray.
By 1927, John Wilce was going on his 15th season as Ohio State's head coach. To put his tenure in perspective, Wilce's teams had played in just over 39 percent of the total football games the Buckeyes had ever been involved in.
The school had 11 different head coaches in the program's first 23 years, and Wilce had given Ohio State stability when it most needed it. At this point, he was the face of the program.
After a string of losing seasons, Wilce had turned things around in 1925, and then followed with a campaign in 1926 that fell just one point short of perfection.
Unfortunately, 1927 would bring another bumpy ride for the faithful and Wilce's spectacular 1926 season would be soon forgotten.
| The 1927 Buckeyes | |
|---|---|
| Record | 4–4 |
| B1G Record | 2–3, 6th |
| Coach | John Wilce (15th Year, 73–31–8) |
| Captain | Theodore Meyer |
Games of Note
October 15th • Northwestern • Ohio Stadium
Although Ohio State hadn't faced the Wildcats since 1917, the undefeated Buckeyes owned a 5–0 series lead and were confident a sixth win would not be a problem.
Northwestern had other plans.
The Wildcats topped the Buckeyes, 19-13, earning a win in Columbus – a feat that would be hard to come by for the decades to come.
October 22nd • Michigan • Michigan Stadium
Ohio State wouldn't have much time to lick its wounds as the Buckeyes' first trip to the now one-year-old Michigan Stadium the following weekend is on the schedule.
As Michigan was the guest when the new Ohio Stadium was dedicated in 1922, the Buckeyes were now guests of Michigan for the official dedication of Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines spoiled Ohio State's dedication, winning 19-0, five years earlier. Would Ohio State be able to return the favor?
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCT. 1 | WITTENBERG | OHIO STADIUM | W, 31–0 |
| OCT. 8 | IOWA | IOWA FIELD | W, 13–6 |
| OCT. 15 | NORTHWESTERN | OHIO STADIUM | L, 13–19 |
| OCT. 22 | MICHIGAN | MICHIGAN STADIUM | L, 0–21 |
| OCT. 29 | CHICAGO | OHIO STADIUM | W, 13–7 |
| NOV. 5 | PRINCETON | PALMER STADIUM | L, 0–20 |
| NOV. 12 | DENISON | OHIO STADIUM | W, 61–6 |
| NOV. 19 | ILLINOIS | OHIO STADIUM | L, 0–13 |
| 4–4, 131–92 |
Unfortunately, Michigan won the game easily, 21-0. All three Michigan touchdowns came on passes from end Bennie Oosterbaan to left halfback Louis Gilbert.
The Wolverines had now beaten the Buckeyes six-straight times and owned a commanding 3–19–2 lead in the series.
November 12th • Denison • Ohio Stadium
Ohio State bounced back from the Michigan defeat to win at Chicago, 13-7, but lost the following week at Princeton, 20-0.
Now 3–3, the Buckeyes welcomed Denison to town for the 17th and final game in the series between the two schools.
Although the Big Red had won the first game played between the two teams, Ohio State won the last game in a laugher, 61-6, to move to 4–3 with one game remaining on the schedule.
| OPPONENT | STREAK | RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| WITTENBERG | W9 | 10–3 |
| IOWA | W2 | 2–3–1 |
| NORTHWESTERN | L1 | 5–1 |
| MICHIGAN | L6 | 3–19–2 |
| CHICAGO | W1 | 3–2–2 |
| PRINCETON | L1 | 0–1 |
| DENISON | W5 | 14–1–2 |
| ILLINOIS | L1 | 5–9–2 |
November 19th • Illinois • Ohio Stadium
Illinois traveled to Ohio Stadium with just a single tie blemishing their record. At 6–0–1, this was an Illini team for the ages, having shutout four opponents and surrendered just 18 points before facing Ohio State.
The Illini were heavily favored for the game and, indeed, the fourth battle for Illibuck went to coach Robert Zuppke's team, as they notched another shutout, dropping the Buckeyes, 13-0, in Columbus. It was the eighth time in 16 games Ohio State had been shut out.
Since the inception of the Illibuck in 1924, Ohio State was 1–3 in the “trophy” game. This year, the Illini would claim a wooden version of the trophy as the original turtle had passed away while under the care of Ohio State's Bucket and Dipper honor society.
Every year since, the result of the game has been etched on the shell of the wooden turtle. When the shell fills, it's retired and a new wooden turtle is created.
If you're keeping score, Ohio State only had the living turtle for one season. Columbus: not a great place to raise turtles, evidently.
1927 Recap
- Ohio State played Princeton for the first time and was shut out 20-0 in New Jersey.
- The Buckeyes lost to Northwestern for the first time, having entered the series 5–0 agains the Wildcats.
- Ohio State played Denison for last time. The Buckeyes ended the series on top 14–1–2.
- Ohio State lost to Michigan in the official dedication of Michigan Stadium. It was the Buckeyes' sixth-straight loss to the Wolverines.
- Fans and alumni renewed calls to replace John Wilce as head coach of the team after he finished 4–4.
- Leo Raskowski was named an All-American.
Wilce had managed to quiet his critics with a 7–1 season in 1926, but the .500 record he turned in in 1927 placed the coach back on the hot seat once again.
In June of 1928, Wilce announced that he would coach the following season as his last and then pursue a careet in medicine.
