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 (6–3 in conference games), 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 Oklahoma, lost to No. 7 Iowa, No. 19 Illinois, and No. 8 Michigan, and concluded the season with a victory over 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 (1,716 passing yards, 56.6% completion percentage), running back Keith Byars (1,126 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 20 touchdowns), and tight end John Frank (41 receptions for 584 yards). Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1983 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Byars (AP/UPI); Frank (AP/UPI); linebacker Rowland Tatum (AP/UPI); and defensive back Garcia Lane (AP).

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

Schedule

Game summaries Oregon

At Oklahoma

"Ohio St. Is Superb In Beating Sooners." Gainesville Sun. 1983 Sept 18.

At Iowa

Minnesota

Purdue

At Illinois

Michigan State

Ohio State Official Athletic Site - Football - Archives . Retrieved 2014-Dec-20.

Wisconsin

Woody Hayes dotted the "i" in the pregame Script Ohio.

Gainesville Sun. 1983 Oct 30.

At Indiana

Northwestern

At Michigan

Vs. Pittsburgh (Fiesta Bowl)

Personnel Roster

Depth chart

1984 Ohio State Football Media Guide

1984 NFL draftees William Roberts 1 27 Guard New York Giants John Frank 2 56 Tight end San Francisco 49ers Garcia Lane 3 61 Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs Rowland Tatum 6 165 Linebacker Miami Dolphins Shaun Gayle 10 271 Defensive back Chicago Bears Joe Dooley 10 274 Center Los Angeles Rams Thad Jemison 12 310 Wide receiver Tampa Bay Buccaneers

References