1985 Ohio State Buckeyes football team


The 1985 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 1985 Big Ten season. In their seventh year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record, tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 315 to 205. Against ranked opponents, they defeated No. 1 [1985 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa], lost to No. 6 [1985 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan], and defeated No. 9 [1985 1985 BYU Cougars football team|BYU Cougars football team|BYU] in the 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 14 in the final AP poll.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 163.8 rushing yards and 184.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 147.2 rushing yards and 180.3 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jim Karsatos, running back John Wooldridge, and wide receiver Cris Carter. Linebackers Pepper Johnson and Chris Spielman received first-team All-America honors from the UPI and NEA, respectively. Six received first-team honors on the 1985 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Johnson ; Spielman ; Carter ; center Bob Maggs ; offensive tackle Rory Graves ; and punter Tom Tupa.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Game summaries

No. 1 Iowa

  • Source:







IowaOhio St
First downs2116
Rushing yards186233
Passing17–34–410–17–2
Passing yards169151
Total Offense345370
Fumbles Lost2–11–0
Punts-Average4–32.54–45.3
Penalties3–167–57

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long19–26, 169 yards, 4 INT
IowaRushingRonnie Harmon26 carries, 120 yards, TD
IowaReceivingRonnie Harmon5 receptions, 19 yards
Ohio StatePassingJim Karsatos10–17, 151 yards, 2 INT
Ohio StateRushingGeorge Cooper17 carries, 104 yards
Ohio StateReceivingCris Carter3 receptions, 65 yards

Awards and honors