The 1935 edition of Ohio State football featured a team with speed, size and depth. The special squad faced a fierce schedule with Notre Dame, Illinois and Michigan on the slate. Fans hoped Francis Schmidt – the football innovator, dreamer and schemer – would bring Ohio State its first national championship.
The 1934 season breathed new life into the Ohio State football program. Francis Schmidt and his myriad plays and formations had the players and fans excited for every offensive snap. With many talented players returning from that team, a Rose Bowl invitation and national championship were realistic goals in 1935.
| The 1935 Buckeyes | |
|---|---|
| Record | 7–1 |
| B1G Record | 5–0, 1st |
| COACH | Francis Schmidt (2nd year, 14–2) |
| Captain | Gomer Jones |
Games of Note
October 5th • Kentucky • Ohio Stadium
16 seasons had passed since Ohio State and Kentucky lined up to do battle. The Wildcats entered the game with confidence. Head coach Chet Wynne, in his second season, guided Kentucky to an early season 2–0 record by outscoring Abilene and Xavier by a combined score of 81-7.
An opening-day record crowd of 56,686 confident fans filled Ohio Stadium to cheer on their Buckeyes. A pair of Ohio State halfbacks provided the desired outcome by scoring three touchdowns. John Bettridge of Toledo found the end zone twice, and Joe Williams scored once to account for the Buckeyes' 19 points.
Kentucky put up a better than expected fight, but ultimately succumbed 19-6 to Schmidt's more talented team. It wasn't the high-scoring affair fans were expecting, but Ohio State won. This was the last game ever played between the Buckeyes and Kentucky. Ohio State holds a 3–0 advantage in the series.
October 12th • Drake • Ohio Stadium
Any concern about the Buckeyes' offensive firepower was put to rest against the Bulldogs of Drake. Ohio State scored 13 touchdowns, totaling 85 points – the most in Ohio Stadium history.
Schmidt used every available player, but when the clock read zeros, the Buckeyes had racked up 911 total yards on their way to those 85 points. Makes you wonder if the officials should have made the Drake players wiggle their thumbs.
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCT. 5 | KENTUCKY | OHIO STADIUM | W, 19–6 |
| OCT. 12 | DRAKE | OHIO STADIUM | W, 85–7 |
| OCT. 19 | NORTHWESTERN | OHIO STADIUM | W, 28–7 |
| OCT. 26 | INDIANA | MEMORIAL STADIUM | W, 28–6 |
| NOV. 2 | NOTRE DAME | OHIO STADIUM | L, 13–18 |
| NOV. 9 | CHICAGO | STAGG FIELD | W, 20–13 |
| NOV. 16 | ILLINOIS | OHIO STADIUM | W, 6–0 |
| NOV. 23 | MICHIGAN | MICHIGAN STADIUM | W, 38–0 |
| 7-1, 237–57 |
November 2nd • Notre Dame • Ohio Stadium
After handling Northwestern, 28-7, and Indiana, 28-6, the sports world descended upon Columbus for the first ever meeting between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Radio and newspapers dominated the day and the biggest players in print and the airwaves were at Ohio Stadium to cover this epic battle.
Although both teams entered the game undefeated, Ohio State was heavily favored. The Buckeyes (4–0) won their first four games by an average score of 40-7. Not only was Ohio State's offense lighting up the scoreboard, but the defense had not allowed more than seven points in a game.
Elmer Layden, Notre Dame's second-year coach, was part of the “Four Horsemen” backfield during his playing days at Notre Dame. Layden knew the Buckeyes were bigger and faster than his team, but he had a game plan he believed in.
Football at this time allowed substitutions; however, if a player came out, he was done for the half. Layden's plan was to rest his starters during the third quarter in order to have them fresh for the crucial final 15 minutes.
Early in the first quarter, the Irish were in Buckeye territory when Frank Antenucci intercepted Mike Layden – coach Layden's younger brother – at the 25-yard line. After returning the ball 10 yards, Antenucci lateraled to Frank Boucher who took it the rest of the way for the game's first score and a 7-0 lead.
Ohio State's defense struck again in the second quarter. This time it was Stan Pincura who came up with a big interception. After Pincura returned the ball to midfield, the Buckeyes' high-powered offense went to work. The drive concluded when Joe Williams punched it in from the three-yard line. The extra point was missed and Ohio State took a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Although the Buckeyes were unable to take advantage of facing Notre Dame's second team in the third quarter, they still led 13-0 at the start of the final period. Ohio State had dominated his team, but Layden knew the Irish had a chance when he substituted his starters back into the game for the final stanza.
Notre Dame started the fourth quarter on Ohio State's 12-yard line after Andy Pilney returned a punt 53 yards on the final play of the third quarter. Fullback Steve Miller finished the 12-yard drive when he scored from two yards out. Ken Stilley lined up for the point after, but missed it as the ball hit the crossbar. The Buckeyes now led 13-6.
Ohio State's next drive stalled and ended with a punt. Notre Dame had momentum and marched the ball down the field into scoring poistion. Williams was poised to score when he fumbled the ball into the end zone from the one-yard line. Jim Karcher jumped on the ball in the end zone to secure a touchback, and the 13-6 lead for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes killed some clock before punting again to Notre Dame. This time the Irish started on their own 20 and had just over four minutes left in the game. The extra time Layden gave his starters was about to pay off.
Pilney had an extra step on Ohio State's defenders and quickly moved the ball down the field. The Irish scored their second touchdown when Mike Layden caught a 15-yard pass from Pilney with under two minutes to go. However, the Irish missed the extra point and Ohio State still led 13-12.
Notre Dame's onside kick attempt was recovered by Ohio State's Charles Gale and the Buckeyes took over on their own 46. The only thing left was for the Buckeyes to run a few plays and move on to the next game.
However, on second down, Dick Beltz was pummeled by Pilney and fumbled the ball out of bounds. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. The rules at that time awarded possession to the team that last touched the ball before it went out of bounds. Notre Dame didn't have possession, but was the last team to touch the ball. The Irish now had the ball near midfield with under a minute to play.
The fresh-legged Pilney dropped back to pass, but ran for 32 yards when he couldn't find an open receiver. At the end of the play, Pilney wrecked his knee and was forced out of the game – he was, in fact, lost for the season. With the ball on Ohio State's 19-yard line, Bill Shakespeare replaced the injured Pilney.
Shakespeare took his first snap and proceeded to throw the ball directly to Beltz of the Buckeyes. The ball went through Beltz's hands, and the Irish were given another opportunity. On the next play, Shakespeare connected with Wayne Millner for the game-winning touchdown pass. Notre Dame had scored with 32 seconds left in the game.
The largest crowd in Ohio Stadium history, 81,018, sat in stunned silence as their men had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Following the game Schmidt had this to say:
I'd rather give Notre Dame credit for winning a great game with one of the greatest comebacks I've ever seen than to discredit them by telling why we should have won.
The Game of the Century was in the books, with the Irish prevailing, 18-13.
| OPPONENT | STREAK | RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| KENTUCKY | W3 | 3–0 |
| DRAKE | W1 | 1–0 |
| NORTHWESTERN | W4 | 10–4 |
| INDIANA | W3 | 11–6–3 |
| NOTRE DAME | L1 | 0–1 |
| CHICAGO | W4 | 6–2–2 |
| ILLINOIS | W1 | 10–12–2 |
| MICHIGAN | W2 | 8–22–2 |
November 9th • Chicago • Stagg Field
Ohio State was in the midst of a three-game winning streak against Chicago, but was coming off of the emotional loss to Notre Dame. The Maroons were powered by Jay Berwanger, who would go on to win the first Heisman Trophy at the end of the season. With spirits low and facing an elite player, the Buckeyes were primed for another upset.
Fans of Chicago did not believe their team had much of a chance against Ohio State as evidenced by the 5,000 in attendance at the start of the game. After Berwanger had a touchdown run for the ages, word got out that the Maroons were beating the Buckeyes.
When the teams returned for the second half, the stadium's attendance had ballooned to 25,000. Fans expected an upset, but went home disappointed as Ohio State picked up key touchdowns from Dick Heekin, Merle Wendt and Joe Williams.
Dick Beltz made two of the three extra points, and the Buckeyes led 20-13 late in the game. Tippy Dye sealed the win with his interception of Berwanger on the Ohio State 25-yard line.
November 23rd • Michigan • Michigan Stadium
1935 marked the first time “The Game” was played in the final week of the regular season for Ohio State. Since then, Michigan has remained the for in the season finale in every year, save for 1942.
Coming off a 6-0 victory over Illinois, the Buckeyes entered this game with a 6–1 record. The Wolverines (4–3) were waxed by Minnesota, 40-0, the week before and were losers of their last two games. Michigan wanted nothing more than to beat Ohio State after the Buckeyes won 34-0 in Columbus in 1934.
As much as the Wolverines wanted to win, it was not to be. In front of 53,322 fans in Michigan Stadium, Ohio State scored six touchdowns and won 38-0. Schmidt now held the two widest margins of victory in school history over Michigan. He also became the third Ohio State coach to defeat the Wolverines and the first to win the initial two games.
The Buckeyes were now 8–22–2 against their rival.
1935 Recap
- Ohio State played Kentucky for the last time. The Buckeyes lead the series 3–0 and have outscored the Wildcats 76-12.
- The Buckeyes defeated the Drake Bulldogs 85-7. The 85 points still stands as the most points scored by Ohio State, and the widest margin of victory in Ohio Stadium's history.
- Ohio State lost to Notre Dame by allowing 18 points in the final quarter.
- An Ohio Stadium record 81,018 fans watched the Game of the Century.
- The Buckeyes played Michigan in the regular season final for the first time.
- Ohio State defeated the Wolverines 38-0. That was the largest margin of victory against Michigan.
- Gomer Jones and Merle Wendt were named All-Americans. This was Wendt's second honor.
- The Buckeyes finished the 1935 season with a three-game winning streak. Ohio State outscored its final three opponents 64-13.
Francis Schmidt finished 7–1 for the second-consecutive time and won the school's first Big Ten title in 15 years. A perfect season was dashed when Notre Dame scored 18 points in the fourth quarter – two touchdowns in the final two minutes – to upset the Buckeyes in the Game of the Century.
On the tradition front, Michigan was now the final opponent of the regular season. Schmidt's boys won their second pair of Gold Pants when they defeated the Wolverines by the largest margin in program history, 38-0.
The fan base was re-energized, but would play the what-if scenario about the Notre Dame game for years to come.
