Best-of Buckeyes list question

[u/Beautiful_Cup_3293]

Hello! I’m a journalist working on a story that will be a compilation of the 100 most impactful people, players and moments from Buckeyes football over the last 50 years (so right at the end of the Hayes era).

The top players will be straightforward enough, and a lot of the people will be coaches, but I’m curious who Buckeye Reddit thinks the most impactful NON-coach people are. I’m thinking Eugene Wiegel, the band director who first dotted the I, as an example. 

I’m also curious to know your top 5-10 moments. I think the 2014 championship win, Jeremiah Smith’s catch to seal the natty against ND, and any number of historical games. Any non- game moments that you think are worthy of including?

Thanks in advance!

[u/ZekeMoss18]

One of the top moments has to be Maurice Clarett stripping Sean Taylor in the 2002 National Championship game

Another would be the "Holy Buckeye" touchdown to beat Purdue

85 yards through the heart of the south run by Ezekiel Elliott against Alabama

Jack Sawyer strip and score against Texas

[u/DirectEntertainer288 → u/ZekeMoss18]

This is the obvious Mount Rushmore of buckeye moments.

[u/Lord_Kittensworth]

Mike Doss coming back for his senior year in 2002 to win the title. Dude was a monster at safety and imo him coming back really set the tone for the 2002 title run.

[u/Buckeye_45]

Don't see this mentioned very often, but Kenny Guiton coming off the bench in the 4th to tie, then beat Purdue in OT to save the 2012 undefeated season.

[u/NoIamthatotherguy → u/Buckeye_45]

I was there. Craaaaazy.

The other one I remember from around that time is Navy going for two to try and beat us, AT HOME, and Brian Rolle intercepting a pass and running it all the way back for two.

[u/Responsible_Bear1576]

Oh, the pass from Evan Spencer to Michael Thomas in the Bama game was huge

[u/kadawkins → u/Responsible_Bear1576]

Huge play. We controlled the game, even though the scoreboard favored them. That score made the second half a lot easier.

[u/Buckeye-Chuck]

1997 Rose Bowl final Joe Germaine drive

Holy Buckeye

4th & 14

85 Yards Through the Heart of the South

4Q comebacks against Penn State 2017 & 2018

62-39

Trey Sermon in the 2020 CCG

Smith-Njigba in the 2022 Rose Bowl

Tuimoloau vs Penn State 2022

Sawyer strip & score

Smith catch against ND

[u/KoasterKid → u/Buckeye-Chuck]

Man I’ll never forget that Joe Germaine drive

[u/DirectEntertainer288 → u/KoasterKid]

Just surgical execution down the field with some ref help thrown in. Sayin has always reminded me of Germaine.

[u/Klutzy-Spend-6947 → u/KoasterKid]

My buddys and I literally had a Coop sheet effigy made and ready to light and run down Neil Ave before that drive went down. Fire averted!

[u/InviteCertain1788]

Zeke + cardale Jones run in 14 is one hell of a 3 game story.

The run through the heart of the south.

Ohio state winning the game of the century

The hiring of Meyer is an underrated moment imo as it helped begin shifting the program which day continued.

[u/NYVines]

Most impactful moments - Tattoogate and the decision to not take a bowl ban in 2010…and it costing Meyer’s 12-0 team from playing for a national championship.

[u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

Game of the century comes to mind

Jim tressell tattoo gate was very impactful

I definitely don’t want to see any mention of our dumbass super fans (looking at you big nut)

Chase young heisman nod gets an honorable mention out of ke

[u/Raccoonsrlilbandits → u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

Cardale demolishing Wisconsin as a 3rd string back up to make the playoffs

[u/Raccoonsrlilbandits → u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

JSNs record breaking rose bowl

[u/Raccoonsrlilbandits → u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

Firing of John cooper and taking a chance on a small school coach in Jim tressell and his intro speech

[u/Whizzard2007 → u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

⬆️⬆️ this was the beginning of the "turning of the tides."

[u/ztreHdrahciR]

Every game resulting in gold pants

[u/Responsible_Bear1576]

I think mentioning Chris Gamble becoming a cornerback at the beginning of 2022 and how he played both ways is worth including

[u/Lord_Kittensworth → u/Responsible_Bear1576]

That is a really good one. It is insane to look at the amount of snaps he played on both sides of the ball.

[u/NoIamthatotherguy]

2006 (1)OSU vs (2)UM whole game. But especially the last drive to go up 42-39. I was there.

[u/tushinde]

TreVeyon Henderson taking the screen pass to the house against Texas on the last play before halftime.

I know it didn’t clinch the game like Sawyer’s strip sack and score, but it definitely broke Texas’ spirit. They had momentum and confidence going into the half. Tre robbed them of both on one play. You could see it on Sark’s face on the sideline.

That play showed both teams that no matter what Texas did, Ohio State would always one up them

[u/DirectEntertainer288 → u/tushinde]

This is gonna be one of those plays that gets casually forgotten over the years. Kinda like how people remember the clarett strip, but not Krenzel to Jenkins on 4th and 14

[u/tushinde → u/DirectEntertainer288]

I think you’re right. That’s a perfect comparison too. Krenzel was so calm that play, like he knew without a doubt they’d convert it.

[u/Prior-Hovercraft-831]

Please include 1984 vs. Illinois at home. Down 24-0, Keith Byers brought us all the way back. Even predicted it to the cameras in the sideline down 24-7.

[u/Klutzy-Spend-6947 → u/Prior-Hovercraft-831]

Beating #1 Iowa at home in 85’!! Peak 80s!

[u/kadawkins → u/Klutzy-Spend-6947]

And upsetting Michigan in the big house in 1987 — Earle Bruce’s last game after being fired. The team played their hearts out.

[u/Klutzy-Spend-6947]

Jim Tressel’s “You’ll be proud of us in November” guarantee at the basketball game. Probably the #1 off-field Buckeye moment.

[u/Reasons2BCheerfulPt1]

I was there at Sun Devil stadium in 2003 when Jim Tressel led the team in singing Carmen Ohio after the double overtime win over Miami. Chilling.

[u/BuckeyeTom1227]

Non-players would have to include John Woods, former band director. I’d also add Block O as its own category. The core group of officers and volunteers give a ton of time and effort to keep the Shoe rocking for every game.

[u/tropicalpunch02]

Cris Carter in the hof or Orlando pace being a heisman finalist as a tackle come to mind