As we countdown the rich and storied history of Ohio State football, we look back at the 1930 Buckeyes, Wes Fesler's final season.
Ohio State end Wes Fesler entered the 1930 season with a chance to cap his illustrious career as a Buckeye. Fesler had twice been named consensus All-American and second-year head coach Sam Willaman recognized the need to feature his talented senior even more than he'd be utilized in years past.
Playing in Willaman's newly-installed wingback system, the Youngstown product lined up nearly everywhere on the offensive side of the ball and helped the Buckeyes to a 5–2–1 record.
| The 1930 Buckeyes | |
|---|---|
| Record | 5–2–1 |
| B1G Record | 2–2–1, 4th |
| COACH | Sam Willaman (2nd year, 9–5–2) |
| Captain | Wes Fesler |
Games of Note
September 27th • Mount Union • Ohio Stadium
Ohio State opened the season with a convincing 59-0 win over Mount Union in the Horseshoe.
The game marked a couple of firsts: it was the initial meeting between Ohio State and Mount Union and, with the start of football season creeping up earlier into the fall, it was the first time Ohio State had played a game in Ohio Stadium during the month of September.
Fesler, for his part, played fullback for the first time and scored the season's first touchdown in the first quarter. Ohio State would not let up after Fesler's touchdown. Eight different players scored and the Buckeyes easily dispatched of the Purple Raiders.
This clubbing is the only meeting between the two programs, both considered modern day powers within their divisions.
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEP. 27 | MOUNT UNION | OHIO STADIUM | W, 59–0 |
| OCT. 4 | INDIANA | OHIO STADIUM | W, 23–0 |
| OCT. 11 | NORTHWESTERN | DYCHE STADIUM | L, 2–19 |
| OCT. 18 | MICHIGAN | OHIO STADIUM | L, 0–13 |
| NOV. 1 | WISCONSIN | OHIO STADIUM | T, 0–0 |
| NOV. 8 | NAVY | MUNICIPAL STADIUM | W, 27–0 |
| NOV. 15 | PITTSBURGH | OHIO STADIUM | W, 16–7 |
| NOV. 22 | ILLINOIS | MEMORIAL STADIUM | W, 12–9 |
| 5–2–1, 139–48 |
October 18th • Michigan • Ohio Stadium
The Buckeyes shutout Indiana, 23-0, in week two before suffering a tough loss at Northwestern the following week to enter the annual battle with Michigan at 2–1.
Ohio State was riding a two-game winning streak against Michigan, but the 1930 Wolverines were a more-than-worthy opponent, entering at 3–0–1, outscoring oponents 54-13. Amazingly, Harry Kipke's team had played a non-conference double-header on the first Saturday of the season, beating Denison and Michigan State Normal by a combined score of 40-0.
The quest for three-in-a-row was dashed, however, by strong play from Michigan quarterback Harry Newman and fullback – and Ohio native – Roy Hudson.
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Before 68,341 awe-struck spectators shivering in the chilly air of Ohio's giant concrete stadium, the two great forward passes hurled by the deadly accurate right arm of Harry Newman, sophomore from Detroit Northern High, playing in his second Western Conference game, this afternoon achieved for the husky gladiators of Ann Arbor a 13 to 0 triumph over an always fighting but easily deceived band of scarlet-clad Buckeyes.
Harry Newman's forward passes did not score the touchdowns but they might as well have. They wrecked and bewildered an Ohio State team that on straight football had been more than holding its own.
The Wolverines would finish the season 8–0–1 and tied for the league championship with Northwestern. Ohio State, meanwhile, fell to 5–20–2 against Michigan.
| OPPONENT | STREAK | RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNT UNION | W1 | 1–0 |
| INDIANA | W1 | 7–6–2 |
| NORTHWESTERN | L2 | 6–3 |
| MICHIGAN | L1 | 5–20–2 |
| WISCONSIN | T1 | 4–4–1 |
| NAVY | W1 | 1–0 |
| PITTSBURGH | W1 | 1–1 |
| ILLINOIS | W1 | 6–11–2 |
November 1st • Wisconsin • Ohio Stadium
At this point in the season Wisconsin's offense was averaging over 29 points per game. The favored Badgers expected to hang points on the Buckeyes, as well.
Willaman had other plans and drew up a scheme to stop the high-powered Wisconsin offense. The preparation worked as the two schools played to a 0-0 tie.
40,488 fans were at Ohio Stadium to witness the scoreless ballgame.
November 8th • Navy • Municipal Stadium (Baltimore, MD)
This home-and-home series was scheduled to start in 1929. However, Navy asked for a one-year delay. The extra year did not help the Midshipmen against the Fesler-led Buckeyes.
The senior do-everything sensation played fullback and end, threw a touchdown to Dick Larkins, was a beast on defense and pinned Navy with his punting skills. Fesler's efforts gave Ohio State a 27-0 victory in the school's first game against Navy.
November 15th • Pittsburgh • Ohio Stadium
Ohio State was trounced at Pittsburgh in 1929, but were ready for the Panthers' trip to Columbus in Fesler's last home game as a Buckeye.
Pittsburgh entered with a 5–1–1 record, but this November Saturday saw Fesler complete 8 of his 11 passes and the Buckeye defense snag four interceptions to win the home finale, 16-7.
November 22nd • Illinois • Memorial Stadium
Illinois welcomed Ohio State to Champaign with a three-game winning-streak in the series – and control of Illibuck.
The Buckeyes were favored in this battle, however, as the Illini entered the game with a losing record and the attendance that Saturday at Memorial Stadium reflected that. Fewer than 17,000 fans showed up to root for the home squad.
Ohio State jumped on the Illini early with two first quarter touchdowns. Fesler passed for one of the scores and once again, was a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
Illinois scored nine points in the second quarter to close to three at the half, but that would be all the scoring that day as Ohio State held on for a 12-9 win in the final game of the 1930 season.
1930 Recap
- Ohio State played Mount Union for the first and only time, winning 59-0.
- The Buckeyes tied Wisconsin (0-0) in a game they were expected to lose.
- Ohio State played Navy for the first time, taking the game, 27-0.
- The Buckeyes earned their first victory over Pittsburgh (16-7).
- Willaman's squad snapped a three-game losing streak against Illinois.
- Wes Fesler and Lew Hinchman were named All-Americans.
- Fesler became Ohio State's second three-time All-American, and the first Buckeye to win Big Ten MVP honors.
- Dr. Harold Edgerton of MIT captured the now famous photo of Fesler kicking a football, utilizing stroboscope photography.
The 1930 season saw Wes Fesler end his Ohio State career as the most decorated player in program history. Sam Willaman improved his record from his debut season, finishing 5–2–1 and tied for third in the Big Ten.
He'll have his work cutout for him in 1931, with Fesler graduating.
