Why Buckeye Monday vs. Notre Dame could be as good as any night in Ohio State football history

O-H what fun it is to ride the sleigh dashing through the college football playoffs.

Who knew the coldest loss ever to Michigan could be followed by Buckeyes crackling like mad in the hottest playoff system in sports?

Cynicism creeps easily into the robotic, mercenary, artificial age of the wham-bam-see-ya-later transfer portal and the 20-year-olds-in-Bentleys, name-image-likeness circus.

Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer (33) and Will Howard celebrate after defeating Texas in the Cotton Bowl, Jan 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

A warm rain refreshes as all the young, young dudes seem to really enjoy the stage; and theater is nothing without the audience.

As the excitement of Ohio State vs. Notre Dame rushes in, memories snap back to life.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) and defensive end Jack Sawyer celebrate after defeating Texas in the Cotton Bowl, Jan 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

Kindly excuse me for being old enough to have loved every minute of the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1969.

The Buckeyes, with magical ballhandler Rex Kern at quarterback, came in at No. 1 after pulverizing No. 4 Michigan 50-14. The opponent was No. 2 USC, starring O.J. Simpson, coming off a 21-21 tie with Notre Dame.

Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern (10) scrambles against Northwestern on Oct. 19, 1968, in Columbus.

Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes practically lived in Stark County in recruiting season.

His 1968 team had a linebacker from Louisville (Mark Stier), a center from Massillon (John Muhlbach), a defensive lineman from Massillon (Dave Whitfield), a tight end from Louisville (Dick Kuhn), a kicker from McKinley (Jim Roman), and an injured standout from McKinley (Nick Roman).

Safety Ted Provost, from Fairless, made so many big plays meriting buckeye-leaf helmet stickers that Hayes called him “Tree.”

Ohio State really did feel like the center of Ohio…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-buckeye-monday-vs-notre-111119894.html

Author : The Repository

Publish date : 2025-01-17 11:11:00

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