As we count down the rich and storied history of Ohio State football, we look back at the 1928 Buckeyes, the last of John Wilce's illustrious career.
In 1928, after 16 seasons at the helm, the John Wilce era at Ohio State was coming to an end. Wilce had announced his retirement in June of that year, with his intention of attending Harvard or Columbia for postgraduate research in medicine.
His final season would epitomize his career in Columbus. More than a few highs, some scattered lows and wins in about 70% of his outings.
| The 1928 Buckeyes | |
|---|---|
| Record | 5–2–1 |
| B1G Record | 3–2, 4th |
| Coach | John Wilce (15th Year, 78–33–9) |
| Captain | Leo Raskowski |
Games of Note
October 13th • Northwestern • Dyche Stadium (Evanston, Ill.)
In 1927, Northwestern left Columbus with its first ever victory over the Buckeyes. In 1928, Ohio State would make its first trip to Evanston in nearly 14 years, where they would play in the Wildcats' two-year-old Dyche Stadium (now known as Ryan Field).
The Buckeyes left Evanston with a 10-0 victory, largely in part due to Ohio Sate capitalizing on Northwestern mistakes. The play from both teams in this game was less than stellar.
From the Columbus Dispatch:
Northwestern did everything that an opposing eleven could be reasonably expected to do to help a rival. This redounds to the credit of the Buckeyes, for if they had not recognized the opportunity when it sauntered across their path, perhaps there would have been no Ohio State scoring.
Ouch.
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCT. 6 | WITTENBERG | OHIO STADIUM | W, 41–0 |
| OCT. 13 | NORTHWESTERN | DYCHE STADIUM | W, 10–0 |
| OCT. 20 | MICHIGAN | OHIO STADIUM | W, 19–7 |
| OCT. 27 | INDIANA | MEMORIAL, IN | W, 13–0 |
| NOV. 3 | PRINCETON | OHIO STADIUM | T, 6–6 |
| NOV. 10 | IOWA | OHIO STADIUM | L, 7–14 |
| NOV. 17 | MUSKINGUM | OHIO STADIUM | W, 39–0 |
| NOV. 24 | ILLINOIS | OHIO STADIUM | L, 0–8 |
| 5–2–1, 135–35 |
October 20th • Michigan • Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Following the win over Northwestern, Ohio State stood at 2–0, set to face a Michigan that didn't look much like Michigan teams they had seen before.
The Wolverines entered the game 0–2, having suffered home losses to Ohio Wesleyan and Indiana.
Over 72,000 fans packed Ohio Stadium in the hopes of seeing their team end Michigan's six-game winning-streak in the series. Given the trajectory of both teams in October of 1928, they were feeling good about their chances.
Near the midway point of the first quarter, Wes Fesler caught a 16-yard touchdown pass to put Ohio State up 6-0.
However, Michigan answered when Ohio State's Charles Coffee was blocked into the football on a punt. After Coffee touched the ball, Michigan's Leo Draveling pounced on it in the end zone. Ohio State players argued that Draveling did not have possession of the ball, but the refs ruled differently. Michigan was now on top 7-6.
The Buckeyes would not remain down for long. Byron Eby scored on a 21-yard touchdown run to put Ohio State up 12-7 at halftime. In the fourth quarter Coffee made up for the punt return gaffe when he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass. The Buckeyes went on to win 19-7 to end the awful, six-game losing streak to Michigan.
With the win John Wilce became the first coach at Ohio State to win his last game against Michigan. This also marked the first time Ohio State defeated the Wolverines in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes were now 4–19–2 against Michigan.
| OPPONENT | STREAK | RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| WITTENBERG | W10 | 11–3 |
| NORTHWESTERN | W1 | 6–1 |
| MICHIGAN | W1 | 4–19–2 |
| INDIANA | W2 | 6–6–1 |
| PRINCETON | T1 | 0–1–1 |
| IOWA | L1 | 2–4–1 |
| MUSKINGUM | W7 | 7–0 |
| ILLINOIS | L1 | 5–9–2 |
November 3rd • Princeton • Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Ohio State and Princeton met for the first time ever the year before and it didn't end well for the Buckeyes, as the Tigers dominated the game to win 20-0.
Wilce's troops came out inspired in 1928 and played one of the finer games in Ohio Stadium's brief history.
For the second consecutive home game, over 72,000 were in the stands to watch the Buckeyes, this time to see two unbeaten teams slug it out.
After a scoreless first half, Princeton scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but missed the extra point to take a 6-0 lead.
The Buckeyes, who had been stifled for the majority of the game, finally found pay-dirt with under three minutes remaining in the game. It was now on the toe of Fred Barrat to give Ohio State the lead. Unfortunately Barrat missed and the Buckeyes had to settle for a 6-6 tie.
This was the last game between Ohio State and Princeton, with the Tigers holding a 1–0–1 series advantage to this day.
November 17th • Muskingum • Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Ohio State's run for an undefeated season ended the week before, when Iowa beat the Buckeyes, 14-7, in Ohio Stadium. This game against the Muskies of Muskingum marked a couple of lasts for Ohio State.
John Wilce and the Buckeyes defeated Muskingum 39-0 in Wilce's last home game. This was also the last time the Buckeyes played the Muskies. Ohio State ended the series 7–0 against Muskingum.
1928 Recap
John Wilce (Ohio State University Archives)
- The Buckeyes earned program win No. 200 with the 41-0 win over Wittenberg.
- Ohio State played Northwestern at Dyche Field for the first time.
- The Buckeyes defeated Michigan in Wilce's last year as head coach.
- Wilce became the first Ohio State coach to beat the Wolverines during his last season as head coach.
- Ohio State played Muskingum for the last time. The Buckeyes ended the series with a 7-0 series lead and outscored the Muskies 221-0.
- Ohio State ended a six-game losing streak to Michigan and finally beat the Wolverines in Ohio Stadium.
John Wilce ended his 16-season career at Ohio State with a 78–33–9 career record. He retired as Ohio State's longest tenured coach with the most wins in school history. Wilce was also the only Ohio State coach to taste the sweet nectar of defeating Michigan.
Wilce had put Ohio State on the map of power programs in college football and was instrumental in the growth of the school's popularity and more importantly, the construction of Ohio Stadium.
In 1934, Wilce returned to Ohio State as the Director of Student Health Services. He retired from the university in 1958 and passed away five years later at the age of 75 in Westerville.
Wilce is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame (1954) and the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame (1977).
