1981 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1981 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1981 Big Ten season. In their third season under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9-3 record, tied with Iowa for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 356 to 225. They concluded the season with a 31-28 victory over Navy in the 1981 Liberty Bowl.
The team's statistical leaders included:
- Quarterback Art Schlichter ranked third in the conference with 2,551 passing yards and 2,509 total yards and fifth with a 52.3 pass completion percentage.
- Running back Tim Spencer led the conference with 12 rushing touchdowns and ranked second with 1,217 rushing yards and 1,427 yards from scrimmage.
- Wide receiver Gary Williams ranked third in the conference with 50 receptions and fourth with 941 receiving yards.
- Placekicker Bob Atha led the conference with 88 points scored and 44 extra points made and ranked second with 13 field goals made and a 68.4% field goal percentage.
Game summaries
At Purdue
Personnel
Coaching staff
- Earle Bruce – Head Coach
- Dennis Fryzel – Defensive Coordinator
- Glen Mason – Offensive Coordinator
- Bill Myles – Offensive Line
- Nick Saban – Defensive Backs
- Wayne Stanley – Running Backs
- Steve Szabo – Defensive Line
- Bob Tucker – Defensive Outside Linebackers
- Fred Zechman – Quarterbacks/Receivers