1983 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1983 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 1983 Big Ten season. In their fifth year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record, finished in fourth place the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 382 to 183. They opened the season with victories over Oregon and No. 2 [1983 1983 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma], lost to No. 7 [1983 1983 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa], No. 19 [1983 1983 Illinois Fighting Illini football team|Illinois Fighting Illini football team|Illinois], and No. 8 [1983 1983 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan], and concluded the season with a victory over [1983 1983 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh] in the 1984 Fiesta Bowl. They were ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 210.2 rushing yards and 176.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 101.9 rushing yards and 209.3 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Tomczak, running back Keith Byars, and tight end John Frank. Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1983 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Byars ; Frank ; linebacker Rowland Tatum ; and defensive back Garcia Lane.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.