1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football
1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football
Hall of Fame Bowl, L 31-14 vs. Auburn
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP	No. 24
Record	8–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	John Cooper (2nd season);
Offensive coordinator	Jim Colletto (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Bill Young (2nd season)
MVP	Derek Isaman
Captains	David Brown; Jeff Davidson; Zack Dumas; Derek Isaman; Joe Staysniak;
Home stadium	Ohio Stadium

1989 Big Ten Conference football standings
	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 7 Michigan $	8	–	0	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 10 Illinois	7	–	1	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 16 Michigan State	6	–	2	–	0	8	–	4	–	0
No. 24	6	–	2	–	0	8	–	4	–	0
Minnesota	4	–	4	–	0	6	–	5	–	0
Indiana	3	–	5	–	0	5	–	6	–	0
Iowa	3	–	5	–	0	5	–	6	–	0
Purdue	2	–	6	–	0	3	–	8	–	0
Wisconsin	1	–	7	–	0	2	–	9	–	0
Northwestern	0	–	8	–	0	0	–	11	–	0

$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes compiled an 8–4 record (6–2 in conference games), tied for third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 325 to 266. They were ranked No. 24 in the final AP poll.^[1]

Against Minnesota, the Buckeyes came back from a 31–0 deficit to win, 41–37. This tied the record for the largest comeback win in college football history at the time. It remains the biggest comeback win in Ohio State history.

The Buckeyes gained an average of 220.5 rushing yards and 162.3 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 172.3 rushing yards and 182.2 passing yards per game.^[2] The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Greg Frey (1,900 passing yards, 59.5% completion percentage), running back Carlos Snow (948 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry), and wide receiver Jeff Graham (27 receptions for 505 yards).^[2] Offensive tackle Joe Staysniak and guard Jeff Davidson received first-team honors on the 1989 All-Big Ten Conference football team.^[3]^[4]

The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	1:30 p.m.	Oklahoma State*		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 37–13	88,670	^[5]
September 23	3:30 p.m.	at No. 12 USC*	No. 25	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	ABC	L 3–42	69,876	^[6]
September 30	1:30 p.m.	Boston College*		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 34–29	88,936	^[7]
October 7	3:30 p.m.	at No. 18 Illinois		Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (Illibuck)	ABC	L 14–34	69,088	^[8]
October 14	1:30 p.m.	Indiana		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 35–31	89,750	^[9]
October 21	1:30 p.m.	Purdue		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 21–3	89,091	^[10]
October 28	3:30 p.m.	at Minnesota		Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN	ABC	W 41–37	33,945	^[11]
November 4	2:00 p.m.	at Northwestern		Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL		W 52–27	28,238	^[12]
November 11	12:30 p.m.	Iowa		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH	ESPN	W 28–0	89,536	^[13]
November 18	1:30 p.m.	Wisconsin	No. 22	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH		W 42–22	89,626	^[14]
November 25	12:00 p.m.	at No. 3 Michigan	No. 20	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	ABC	L 18–28	106,137	^[15]
January 1, 1990	12:00 p.m.	vs. No. 9 Auburn*	No. 21	Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL (Hall of Fame Bowl)	NBC	L 14–31	52,235	^[16]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State Cowboys (0–1) at Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oklahoma St	7	6	0	0	13
Ohio St	6	10	14	7	37

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: September 16
Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Game weather: Overcast, 66 °F (19 °C)
Game attendance: 88,670
Referee: John Nealon

Game information

First quarter

OHST – Carlos Snow 20-yard run (pass failed), 9:51. Ohio St 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 0:54.
OKST – Curtis Mayfield 21-yard pass from Mike Gundy (Cary Blanchard kick), 4:57. Oklahoma St 7–6. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:02.

Second quarter

OKST – Cary Blanchard 20-yard field goal, 12:00. Oklahoma St 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 5:16.
OHST – Pat O'Morrow 46-yard field goal, 7:32. Oklahoma St 10–9. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:23.
OKST – Cary Blanchard 33-yard field goal, 0:32. Oklahoma St 13–9. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 7:00.
OHST – Carlos Snow 2-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 0:07. Ohio St 16–13. Drive: 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:20.

Third quarter

OHST – Bernard Edwards 33-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:17. Ohio St 23–13. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:34.
OHST – Scottie Graham 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 1:47. Ohio St 30–13. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:55.

Fourth quarter

OHST – Bobby Olive 27-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 10:21. Ohio St 37–13. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:13.

Top passers

OKST – Mike Gundy – 6/14, 55 yards, TD, 2 INT
OHST – Greg Frey – 16/21, 205 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

OKST – Gerald Hudson – 29 rushes, 146 yards
OHST – Carlos Snow – 12 rushes, 67 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

OKST – Curtis Mayfield – 4 receptions, 44 yards, TD
OHST – Bobby Olive – 5 receptions, 108 yards, TD

At USC

#25 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–0) at #12 USC Trojans (1–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	3	0	0	0	3
USC	0	21	14	7	42

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Date: September 23
Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
Game weather: Sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 69,876
Referee: Pat Flood

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Pat O'Morrow 45-yard field goal, 4:18. Ohio St 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 5:20.

Second quarter

USC – Scott Galbraith 3-yard pass from Shane Foley (Quin Rodriguez kick), 11:20. USC 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 5:12.
USC – John Jackson 87-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 8:21. USC 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 95 yards, 1:36.
USC – Scott Galbraith 11-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 7:31. USC 21–3. Drive: 1 play, 11 yards, 0:08.

Third quarter

USC – Gary Wellman 19-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 3:16. USC 28–3. Drive: 8 plays, 88 yards, 3:46.
USC – Gary Wellman 17-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 0:04. USC 35–3. Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 2:41.

Fourth quarter

USC – Mazio Royster 1-yard run (Quin Rodriguez kick), 1:38. USC 42–3. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:57.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 13/28, 135 yards, INT
USC – Todd Marinovich – 14/22, 246 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

OSU – Carlos Snow – 11 rushes, 83 yards
USC – Ricky Ervins – 21 rushes, 117 yards

Top receivers

OSU – Jeff Graham – 3 receptions, 43 yards
USC – John Jackson – 2 receptions, 108 yards, TD

Boston College

Boston College Eagles (0–3) at Ohio State Buckeyes (1–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Boston College	0	7	16	6	29
Ohio St	10	21	3	0	34

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: September 30
Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny, 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 88,936
Referee: Jerry Hendrickson

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Jeff Graham 80-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 13:12. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:12.
OSU – Pat O'Morrow 29-yard field goal, 0:49. Ohio St 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:31.

Second quarter

OSU – Carlos Snow 24-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 10:51. Ohio St 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:26.
OSU – Carlos Snow 16-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 2:09. Ohio St 24–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 3:59.
BC – Marcus Cherry 41-yard pass from Mark Kamphaus (Brian Lowe kick), 1:38. Ohio St 24–7. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:24.
OSU – Scottie Graham 70-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 1:09. Ohio St 31–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:23.

Third quarter

BC – Mark Chmura 2-yard pass from Willie Hicks (run good), 10:51. Ohio St 31–15. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 2:00.
BC – Tim Frager 28-yard run (pass good), 5:49. Ohio St 31–23, Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:48.
OSU – Pat O'Morrow 35-yard field goal, 1:33. Ohio St 34–23. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 4:14.

Fourth quarter

BC – Ed Toner 1-yard run (pass failed), 5:33. Ohio St 34–29. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:58.

Top passers

BC – Willie Hicks – 9/12, 184 yards, TD
OSU – Greg Frey – 15/26, 252 yards, TD

Top rushers

BC – Mike Sanders – 12 rushes, 63 yards
OSU – Scottie Graham – 19 rushes, 151 yards, TD

Top receivers

BC – Marcus Cherry – 4 receptions, 161 yards, TD
OSU – Jeff Graham – 2 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Carlos Snow 23 rushes, 147 yards

At Illinois

Ohio State Buckeyes (2–1) at #18 Illinois Fighting Illini (2–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	0	7	7	0	14
Illinois	7	3	14	10	34

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

Date: October 7
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 54 °F (12 °C)
Game attendance: 69,088
Referee: Gil Marchman
TV: ABC

Game information

First quarter

ILL – Howard Griffith 1-yard run (Doug Higgins kick), 1:01. Illinois 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 1:59.

Second quarter

OSU – Carlos Snow 7-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 13:31. Tie 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:30.
ILL – Doug Higgins 26-yard field goal, 9:07. Illinois 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 4:24.

Third quarter

ILL – Howard Griffith 5-yard run (Chris Siambekos kick), 8:57. Illinois 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 3:49.
OSU – Jeff Graham 66-yard punt return (Pat O'Morrow kick), 4:22. Illinois 17–14.
ILL – Mike Bellamy 34-yard pass from Steve Williams (Chris Siambekos kick), 3:30. Illinois 24–14. Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 0:52.

Fourth quarter

ILL – Chris Siambekos 36-yard field goal, 14:49. Illinois 27–14. Drive: 7 plays, 11 yards, 2:26.
ILL – Ken Thomas 36-yard run (Chris Siambekos kick), 3:27. Illinois 34–14. Drive: 10 plays, 99 yards, 4:17.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 13/25, 137 yards, INT
ILL – Jeff George – 12/20, 130 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

OSU – Carlos Snow – 21 rushes, 97 yards, TD
ILL – Howard Griffith – 20 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

OSU – Jeff Graham – 5 receptions, 71 yards
ILL – Mike Bellamy – 10 receptions, 152 yards, TD

Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers (3–1) at Ohio State Buckeyes (2–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Indiana	0	14	7	10	31
Ohio St	7	21	7	0	35

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: October 14
Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 89,750
Referee: John Nealon

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Jim Palmer 2-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 8:47. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:01.

Second quarter

IU – Anthony Thompson 9-yard run (Scott Bonnell kick), 11:04. Tie 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 88 yards, 6:15.
OSU – Scottie Graham 60-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:21. Ohio St 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:43.
OSU – Carlos Snow 10-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 5:15. Ohio St 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:42.
OSU – Jim Palmer 4-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 3:45. Ohio St 28–7. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:29.
IU – Terry Saunders 2-yard pass from Dave Schnell (Scott Bonnell kick), 0:19. Ohio St 28–14. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:26.

Third quarter

OSU – Scottie Graham 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 10:00. Ohio St 35–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:00.
IU – Anthony Thompson 2-yard run (Scott Bonnell kick), 4:17. Ohio St 35–21. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:40.

Fourth quarter

IU – Anthony Thompson 6-yard run (run good), 3:25. Ohio St 35–29. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 3:29.
IU – Safety, Greg Frey ran out of end zone, 1:38. Ohio St 35–31.

Top passers

IU – Dave Schnell – 22/30, 247 yards, TD, 3 INT
OSU – Greg Frey – 5/6, 37 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

IU – Anthony Thompson – 34 rushes, 177 yards, 3 TD
OSU – Carlos Snow – 27 rushes, 143 yards, TD

Top receivers

IU – Eddie Thomas – 7 receptions, 82 yards
OSU – Bernard Edwards – 2 receptions, 21 yards

Scottie Graham 16 rushes, 124 yards

Purdue

Purdue Boilermakers (1–4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (3–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Purdue	0	0	3	0	3
Ohio St	14	0	7	0	21

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: October 21
Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Game weather: Overcast, 44 °F (7 °C)
Game attendance: 89,091
Referee: Jim Kemerling

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Greg Frey 4-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 11:40. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:53.
OSU – Carlos Snow 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 3:59. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:43.

Second quarter

No scoring

Third quarter

OSU – Carlos Snow 3-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:50. Ohio St 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 0:59.
PUR – Larry Sullivan 25-yard field goal, 5:35. Ohio St 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:15.

Fourth quarter

No scoring

Top passers

PUR – Eric Hunter – 6/16, 147 yards
OSU – Greg Frey – 3/9, 47 yards

Top rushers

PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 18 rushes, 85 yards
OSU – Carlos Snow – 18 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 6 receptions, 86 yards
OSU – Jeff Graham – 2 receptions, 37 yards

At Minnesota

Ohio State Buckeyes (4–2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (4–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	0	8	10	23	41
Minnesota	17	14	0	6	37

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: October 28
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Game attendance: 33,945
Referee: Jerry Hendrickson

Game information

First quarter

MINN – Darrell Thompson 12-yard run (Brent Berglund kick), 12:11. Minnesota 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:18.
MINN – Brent Berglund 30-yard field goal, 4:17. Minnesota 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 9 yards, 3:00.
MINN – Sean Lumpkin 85-yard fumble return (Brent Berglund kick), 3:07. Minnesota 17–0.

Second quarter

MINN – Steve Rhem 29-yard pass from Scott Schaffner (Brent Berglund kick), 9:50. Minnesota 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:40.
MINN – Chris Gaiters 5-yard pass from Scott Schaffner (Brent Berglund kick), 4:29. Minnesota 31–0. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 3:36.
OSU – Carlos Snow 1-yard run (pass good), 0:10. Minnesota 31–8. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:19.

Third quarter

OSU – Pat O'Morrow 25-yard field goal, 10:04. Minnesota 31–11. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:56.
OSU – Carlos Snow 15-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 0:20. Minnesota 31–18. Drive: 11 plays, 98 yards, 4:52.

Fourth quarter

MINN – Brent Berglund 32-yard field goal, 11:24. Minnesota 34–18. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 3:56.
OSU – Carlos Snow 27-yard pass from Greg Frey (pass good), 9:51. Minnesota 34–26. Drive: 4 plays, 46 yards, 1:33.
MINN – Brent Berglund 42-yard field goal, 5:15. Minnesota 37–26. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 2:10.
OSU – Greg Frey 1-yard run (pass good), 3:04. Minnesota 37–34. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 2:11.
OSU – Jeff Graham 15-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 0:51. Ohio St 41–37. Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:01.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 20/31, 362 yards, 3 TD, INT
MINN – Scott Schaffner – 13/18, 154 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

OSU – Carlos Snow – 23 rushes, 74 yards, TD
MINN – Darrell Thompson – 29 rushes, 133 yards, TD

Top receivers

OSU – Jeff Graham – 6 receptions, 104 yards, TD
MINN – Steve Rhem – 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD

^[17]

At Northwestern

Ohio State Buckeyes (5–2) at Northwestern Wildcats (0–7)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	7	21	7	17	52
Northwestern	7	0	6	14	27

at Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

Date: November 4
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: Overcast, 45 °F (7 °C)
Game attendance: 28,236
Referee: John Nealon
TV announcers (WOSU-TV): Jack Kramer and Paul Warfield

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Carlos Snow 25-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:04. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 5:56.
NW – Tim O'Brien 11-yard run (Ira Adler kick), 4:52. Tie 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:12.

Second quarter

OSU – Scottie Graham 20-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 5:05. Ohio St 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
OSU – James Bryant 63-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 2:04. Ohio St 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:17.
OSU – James Bryant 46-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 0:59. Ohio St 28–7. Drive: 2 plays, 46 yards, 0:16.

Third quarter

OSU – Dante Lee 5-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 5:20. Ohio St 35–7. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 9:40.
NW – Bob Christian 3-yard run (run failed), 2:46. Ohio St 35–13. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 2:34.

Fourth quarter

OSU – Pat O'Morrow 19-yard field goal, 14:13. Ohio St 38–13. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:33.
OSU – Dante Lee 8-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 10:49. Ohio St 45–13. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 1:48.
NW – Richard Buchanan 14-yard pass from Tim O'Brien (pass failed), 8:14. Ohio St 45–20. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 2:35.
OSU – Dante Lee 6-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 1:15. Ohio St 52–20. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:59.
NW – Mark Benson 21-yard pass from Kevin Krebs (run good), 0:00. Ohio St 52–28. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:15.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 8/10, 106 yards, TD
NW – Tim O'Brien – 15/21, 172 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

OSU – Dante Lee – 24 rushes, 157 yards, 3 TD
NW – Bob Christian – 27 rushes, 144 yards, TD

Top receivers

OSU – James Bryant – 1 reception, 46 yards, TD
NW – Richard Buchanan – 8 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Scottie Graham 17 Rush, 102 Yds
Carlos Snow 17 Rush, 100 Yds

Ohio State versus Northwestern on YouTube

Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes (4–4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (6–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Iowa	0	0	0	0	0
Ohio St	7	7	7	7	28

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: November 11
Game time: 12:30 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Overcast, 52 °F (11 °C)
Game attendance: 89,536
Referee: Jerry Hendrickson

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Scottie Graham 3-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 7:18. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 3:54.

Second quarter

OSU – Jeff Graham 8-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 12:24. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 5:44.

Third quarter

OSU – Scottie Graham 9-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 6:35. Ohio St 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:14.

Fourth quarter

OSU – Dante Lee 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 10:51. Ohio St 28–0. Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 7:42.

Top passers

IOWA – Matt Rodgers – 15/33, 201 yards
OSU – Greg Frey – 11/19, 168 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

IOWA – Richard Bass – 6 rushes, 30 yards
OSU – Dante Lee – 13 rushes, 99 yards, TD

Top receivers

IOWA – Travis Watkins – 4 receptions, 69 yards
OSU – Jeff Graham – 3 receptions, 70 yards, TD

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers (2–7) at #22 Ohio State Buckeyes (7–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wisconsin	3	10	3	6	22
Ohio St	7	21	14	0	42

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Date: November 10
Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 28 °F (−2 °C)
Game attendance: 89,626
Referee: Jim Kemmerling

Game information

First quarter

WIS – Rich Thompson 40-yard field goal, 12:06. Wisconsin 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 2:45.
OSU – Dante Lee 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 5:00. Ohio St 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 66 yards, 7:01.

Second quarter

WIS – Rich Thompson 36-yard field goal, 10:35. Ohio St 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 6:04.
WIS – Troy Vincent 71-yard punt return (Rich Thompson kick), 8:35. Wisconsin 13–7.
OSU – Jim Palmer 9-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 6:25. Ohio St 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:05.
OSU – Dante Lee 18-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 1:24. Ohio St 21–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:00.
OSU – David Brown 43-yard interception return (Pat O'Morrow kick), 1:07. Ohio St 28–13.

Third quarter

OSU – Scottie Graham 16-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 12:13. Ohio St 35–13. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:38.
WIS – Rich Thompson 35-yard field goal, 9:34. Ohio St 35–18. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:33.
OSU – Scottie Graham 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 3:10. Ohio St 42–18. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:16.

Fourth quarter

WIS – Craig Hudson 5-yard run (run failed), 8:26. Ohio St 42–24. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:54.

Top passers

WIS – Lionell Crawford – 0/8, 0 yards, INT
OSU – Greg Frey – 10/15, 151 yards, TD

Top rushers

WIS – Lionell Crawford – 16 rushes, 104 yards
OSU – Scottie Graham – 23 rushes, 152 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

WIS – None
OSU – Bobby Olive – 3 receptions, 44 yards

At Michigan

#20 Ohio State Buckeyes (8–2) at #3 Michigan Wolverines (9–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	0	3	9	6	18
Michigan	7	7	0	14	28

at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Date: November 25
Game weather: Partly sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 106,137
TV: ABC

Game information

First quarter

MICH – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 3:13. Michigan 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:04.

Second quarter

MICH – Allen Jefferson 2-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 2:23. Michigan 14–0. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 6:28.
OSU – Pat O'Morrow 20-yard field goal, 0:25. Michigan 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:58.

Third quarter

OSU – Pat O'Morrow 22-yard field goal, 10:45. Michigan 14–6. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 2:24.
OSU – Scottie Graham 3-yard run (run failed), 4:03. Michigan 14–12. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 5:11.

Fourth quarter

MICH – Jarrod Bunch 5-yard pass from Michael Taylor (J.D. Carlson kick), 12:22. Michigan 21–12. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:32.
OSU – Scottie Graham 4-yard run (kick blocked), 7:04. Michigan 21–18. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:18.
MICH – Jarrod Bunch 23-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 1:20. Michigan 28–18. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:28.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 14/25, 220 yards, 2 INT
MICH – Michael Taylor – 8/16, 100 yards, TD

Top rushers

OSU – Scottie Graham – 28 rushes, 133 yards, 2 TD
MICH – Leroy Hoard – 21 rushes, 152 yards, TD

Top receivers

OSU – Jim Palmer – 5 receptions, 61 yards
MICH – Greg McMurtry – 3 receptions, 39 yards

Hall of Fame Bowl (vs Auburn)

Hall of Fame Bowl: #9 Auburn Tigers (9–2) vs. #21 Ohio State Buckeyes (8–3)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio St	7	7	0	0	14
Auburn	3	7	7	14	31

at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Date: January 1, 1990
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 64 °F (18 °C)
Game attendance: 52,535
Referee: Bill McDonald
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui

Game information

First quarter

OSU – Carlos Snow 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 6:50. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:40.
AUB – Win Lyle 19-yard field goal, 2:14. Ohio St 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 4:36.

Second quarter

OSU Brian Stablein 9-yard pass from Greg Frey (Pat O'Morrow kick), 13:36. Ohio St 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:38.
AUB – Greg Taylor 11-yard pass from Reggie Slack (Win Lyle kick), 0:11. Ohio St 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards 0:37.

Third quarter

AUB – Greg Taylor 4-yard pass from Reggie Slack (Win Lyle kick), 9:50. Auburn 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:58.

Fourth quarter

AUB – Reggie Slack 5-yard run (Win Lyle kick), 9:22. Auburn 24–14. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 3:33.
AUB – Herbert Casey 2-yard pass from Reggie Slack (Win Lyle kick), 7:20. Auburn 31–14. Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:57.

Top passers

OSU – Greg Frey – 16/31, 232 yards, TD, INT
AUB – Reggie Slack – 16/22, 141 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

OSU – Scottie Graham – 12 rushes, 53 yards
AUB – Stacy Danley – 20 rushes, 85 yards

Top receivers

OSU – Jeff Graham – 5 receptions, 105 yards
AUB – Alexander Wright – 4 receptions, 59 yards

Roster

1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
OL		Dan Beatty
WR		Greg Beatty
WR		David Menges
RB		James Bryant
OL		Karl Coles
OL		Jeff Davidson
WR		Allen DeGraffenreid
WR		Bernard Edwards
TE		Jeff Ellis
QB		Greg Frey
WR		Jeff Graham
RB		Scottie Graham
RB		Tyrone Harrison
QB		Kirk Herbstreit
WR		Rich Huffman
RB		Dante Lee
OL		Tim Moxley
WR		Bobby Olive
TE		Jim Palmer
RB		Carlos Snow
WR		Brian Stablein
OL		Joe Staysniak

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB		David Brown
DB		Vinnie Clark
DB		Bryan Cook
DB		Zack Dumas
DL		Rich Frimel
LB		Judah Herman
LB		Derek Isaman
DB		Foster Paulk
DB		Mark Pelini
DL		Mike Showalter
DL		Alonzo Spellman
DL		Pat Thomas
LB		Steve Tovar
LB		Sreckin Zizakovic

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
P		Jeff Bohlman
K		Pat O'Morrow

Head coach

John Cooper

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Gary Blackney (DC)
Jim Colletto (OC)
Ron Hudson (QB)
Gene Huey (WR)
Bob Palcic (OL)
Fred Pagac (LB)
Bobby Turner (RB)
Bill Young (DC)
Ron Zook (DB)
Mike Dunlevy (GA)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

NFL draft picks


Rnd.	Pick No.	NFL team	Player	Pos.
5	111	Denver Broncos	Jeff Davidson	G
7	185	San Diego Chargers	Joe Staysniak	G
9	243	Washington Redskins	Tim Moxley	G

References

^ "1989 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "1989 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
^ "Indiana's Thompson heads All-Big Ten team". The Daily Reporter (AP story). November 30, 1989. p. 5.
^ "UPI All-Big Ten team". Detroit Free Press. November 30, 1989. p. 6F.
^ "Frey burns Cowboys with arm". News Journal. September 17, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Trojans trounce Buckeyes 42–3". The Palm Beach Post. September 24, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Bucks 'escape' BC". The Marion Star. October 1, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Illini pass-and-catch whips Buckeyes, 34–14". Sunday Herald-Times. October 8, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Hoosiers fail to grab free kick as Buckeyes survive 35–31". The Courier-Journal. October 15, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Buckeyes bust Boilermakers 21–3". The Marion Star. October 22, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Buckeyes' comeback KOs Gophers". The Times Recorder. October 29, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Buckeyes grind out easy victory". The Ironton Tribune. November 5, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Ohio St. stifles Iowa, 28–0". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 12, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Buckeyes steamroll Badgers". The Lima News. November 19, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "A return to Roses". Jackson Citizen Patriot. November 26, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "QB Slack splits OSU defense as Auburn lays claim to Fame". The Cincinnati Post. January 2, 1990. Retrieved November 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Beale, Joe (October 19, 2009). "Flashback: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, 1989". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved December 11, 2024.

[1] "1989 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2025.

[stat-2] "1989 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2025.

[3] "Indiana's Thompson heads All-Big Ten team". The Daily Reporter (AP story). November 30, 1989. p. 5.

[4] "UPI All-Big Ten team". Detroit Free Press. November 30, 1989. p. 6F.

[5] "Frey burns Cowboys with arm". News Journal. September 17, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] "Trojans trounce Buckeyes 42–3". The Palm Beach Post. September 24, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[7] "Bucks 'escape' BC". The Marion Star. October 1, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[8] "Illini pass-and-catch whips Buckeyes, 34–14". Sunday Herald-Times. October 8, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[9] "Hoosiers fail to grab free kick as Buckeyes survive 35–31". The Courier-Journal. October 15, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[10] "Buckeyes bust Boilermakers 21–3". The Marion Star. October 22, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "Buckeyes' comeback KOs Gophers". The Times Recorder. October 29, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[12] "Buckeyes grind out easy victory". The Ironton Tribune. November 5, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[13] "Ohio St. stifles Iowa, 28–0". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 12, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[14] "Buckeyes steamroll Badgers". The Lima News. November 19, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[15] "A return to Roses". Jackson Citizen Patriot. November 26, 1989. Retrieved June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[16] "QB Slack splits OSU defense as Auburn lays claim to Fame". The Cincinnati Post. January 2, 1990. Retrieved November 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

[q654-17] Beale, Joe (October 19, 2009). "Flashback: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, 1989". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved December 11, 2024.

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