The 2010 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. They were members of the Big Ten Conference.
Ohio State vacated all 12 wins from 2010, including a vacated Sugar Bowl win (Arkansas, 31–26) due to NCAA violations. The Buckeyes are officially recorded as having finished the season 0–1, with the only game not vacated being a loss to Wisconsin.
On July 8, 2011, in the wake of NCAA violations for improper benefits to student athletes and the subsequent cover-up, Ohio State vacated all of its victories, as well as the co-conference and Sugar Bowl championships, from the 2010 season as self-imposed sanctions. Since then the athletes who received the improper benefits have called for the team's wins and records to be reinstated following changes in the NCAA's name, image and likeness rules in 2021, despite the NCAA stating that it had no plans to re-evaluate or reconsider any previous penalties related to those rules in July 2021. In May 2022 the Ohio House of Representatives adopted a non-unanimous symbolic resolution calling on the NCAA to reinstate the team's wins and records.
Before the season
2010 NFL draft
2010 NFL Draft class + 2010 NFL Draft selectionsRoundPick #TeamPlayerPosition 4 18 Pittsburgh Steelers Thaddeus Gibson Defensive end 7 35 Pittsburgh Steelers Doug Worthington Defensive tackle 7 37 Philadelphia Eagles Kurt Coleman Strong safety 7 45 Miami Dolphins Austin Spitler Linebacker
Unsigned seniors 13 Amos, Andre CB 6-1 183 Sr. Middletown, Ohio (Middletown)
86 Ballard, Jake TE 6-6 256 Sr. Springboro, Ohio (Springboro) - UDFA: New York Giants
64 Cordle, Jim C 6-4 297 Sr. Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster) - UDFA: New York Giants
92 Denlinger, Todd DL 6-2 292 Sr. Troy, Ohio (Troy)
33 Gantz, Joe RB 6-0 199 Sr. Wooster, Ohio (Wooster)
57 Ingham, Tom DE 6-1 243 Sr. Centerville, Ohio (Centerville)
66 Moses, Andrew OL 6-3 280 Sr. Dublin, Ohio (Bishop Watterson)
20 Pettrey, Aaron K 6-2 199 Sr. Raceland, Ky. (Raceland-Worthington)
83 Potokar, Dan WR 6-0 180 Sr. Grove City, Ohio (Grove City)
9 Rose, Robert DL 6-5 285 Sr. Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville) - UDFA: Miami Dolphins
21 Russell, Anderson DB 6-0 205 Sr. Atlanta, Ga. (Marist) - UDFA: Washington Redskins
82 Small, Ray WR 5-11 180 Sr. Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville) - UDFA: Indianapolis Colts via Minnesota Vikings
48 Thoma, Jon P 6-2 201 Sr. Louisville, Ohio (St. Thomas Aquinas)
24 Williams, Marcus RB 5-10 202 Sr. Ironton, Ohio (Ironton)
87 Wilson, Lawrence DL 6-4 274 Sr. Akron, Ohio (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School)
NFL Draft early entries Thaddeus Gibson - Junior Redshirt Defensive End - Round: 4 / Pick: 116 - Pittsburgh Steelers
Transfers out Lamaar Thomas - Sophomore Wide Receiver (New Mexico)
Rocco Pentello - Redshirt Sophomore Safety (Ashland)
Duron Carter - Sophomore Wide Receiver (Coffeyville Community College)
Recruiting class
Transfers in None
Schedule Ohio State Buckeyes 2010 Season
Regular season
Marshall
In their first night game season opener since 2003, the Ohio State Buckeyes began the 2010 season playing the Marshall Thundering Herd. Ohio State worked early, recovering a fumble by Marshall on the opening kickoff and eventually scoring on a 6-yard pass from Terrelle Pryor less than two minutes into the game. After a Marshall three and out, the Buckeyes again worked quickly scoring another touchdown, and within the first five minutes of the game, Ohio State led Marshall 14–0. Marshall came back late in the first quarter with a field goal block and return by Ahmed Shakoor, closing the gap to one touchdown. However, after that touchdown, Ohio State took control heading into halftime. A 65-yard touchdown pass to Dane Sanzenbacher, a 45-yard run by Brandon Saine and an interception return with 2:58 to go in the second quarter, allowed the Buckeyes to go into halftime with 35-7 lead. With the start of the third quarter, Ohio State scored their final touchdown, an 11-yard pass to DeVier Posey. Pryor left the game in the middle of the fourth quarter along with many other starters. Devin Barclay hit a 34-yard field goal and ended the scoring of the Buckeyes. Ohio State won the game 45–7 (victory vacated), beginning their 2010 season with a record of 1–0.
Miami (FL)
Ohio State entered their 2010 game against Miami (FL) with memories of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl in which Ohio State won their last national championship. The game began with good defense by both teams, with no points scored in the beginning of the 1st quarter. However, Devin Barclay broke the scoreless tie with a field goal late in the first quarter. Miami then ran back the kickoff following the field goal to give them the lead, which they would later add to with a field goal in the second quarter, giving them a 10–3 lead. Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes drove down the field and within three plays, scored a touchdown to tie the game. The second quarter saw plentiful scoring by both teams. After the Ohio State touchdown, the Buckeyes added a field goal and a touchdown by Dan Herron. Miami, after falling behind 20–10, returned a punt for a touchdown which brought them within three points. After two more field goals by Ohio State, the Buckeyes went into halftime with a 26–17 lead. Through interceptions by Jacory Harris the Buckeyes would score a touchdown and eventually get a field goal and head into the fourth quarter with a 36–17 lead. An early touchdown by Miami in the fourth quarter capped the scoring, with a final score of 36–24. (victory vacated) Ohio State continued their streak of winning games against ranked teams, now at five, going back to the 2009 season. Barclay tied an Ohio State record in the game, kicking five field goals.
1st Quarter OSU – (5:57) Barclay 24-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 2:42. (Buckeyes 3–0) MIA – (5:45) Miller 88-yard kickoff return, TOUCHDOWN. Bosher extra point is GOOD. (Hurricanes 7–3)
2nd Quarter MIA – (13:05) Bosher 51-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 1:58. (Hurricanes 10–3) OSU – (12:23) Saine 18-yard reception from Pryor, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:36. (10–10) OSU – (7:03) Barclay 41-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:01. (Buckeyes 13–10) OSU – (6:17) Herron 4-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:33. (Buckeyes 20–10) MIA – (3:04) Benjamin 79-yard punt return, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. (Buckeyes 20–17) OSU – (1:01) Barclay 21-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 9 plays, 24 yards, 1:50. (Buckeyes 23–17) OSU – (0:01) Barclay 24-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 0:49. (Buckeyes 26–17)
3rd Quarter OSU – (10:16) Pryor 13-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:50. (Buckeyes 33–17) OSU – (1:29) Barclay 24-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 0:52. (Buckeyes 36–17)
4th Quarter MIA – (14:52) Ford 9-yard reception from Harris, TOUCHDOWN. Bosher extra point is GOOD. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 1:37. (Buckeyes 36–24).
Ohio
Ohio State entered the 2010 matchup with the Ohio Bobcats coming off an emotional victory over Miami (FL). Ohio State broke the game open with an early turnover which resulted in an Ohio State field goal. After a good defensive stop, Ohio State drove down the field again to score and gave the Buckeyes a 10–0 lead. Throughout the first half, Ohio turned over the ball and allowed Ohio State to receive good field position. By the end of the first quarter Ohio State led the game 17–0. Throughout the rest of the first half, Ohio State maintained their shut-out lead on the Bobcats, scoring a field goal and two touchdowns. Going into halftime, Ohio State held a 34–0 lead, their largest of the first three games of the season. Ohio State began subbing in second-string players throughout the second half. The Buckeyes scored a safety on a Cameron Heyward tackle. However, bad special teams play continued for the Buckeyes with a blocked punt late in the third quarter. Ohio was able to score a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to give them their first points of the day. Ohio State continued their dominance in the early going of the season, beating Ohio 43–7 and moving to 3–0 (all subsequently vacated). Pryor set an Ohio State record by completing 16 consecutive passes.
1st Quarter OSU – (12:05) Barclay 32-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 2:06. (Buckeyes 3–0) OSU – (5:53) Saine 9-yard reception from Pryor, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:12. (Buckeyes 10–0) OSU – (3:11) Pryor 13-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:33. (Buckeyes 17–0)
2nd Quarter OSU – (13:17) Barclay 33-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 3:07. (Buckeyes 20–0) OSU – (10:25) Stoneburner 5-yard reception from Pryor, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 2:07. (Buckeyes 27–0) OSU – (8:22) Herron 2-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 1:13. (Buckeyes 34–0)
3rd Quarter OSU – (6:09) Davidson tackled in the end zone, SAFETY. (Buckeyes 36–0) OSU – (0:41) Herron 1-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 5:28. (Buckeyes 43–0)
4th Quarter OHIO – (6:14) McCrae 11-yard reception from Jackson, TOUCHDOWN. Weller extra point is GOOD. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 5:42. (Buckeyes 43–7)
Eastern Michigan
Ohio State played their fourth consecutive home game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles ending their 2010 non-conference schedule. Ohio State scored early and often, with Terrelle Pryor rushing for a touchdown and connecting with Dane Sanzenbacher for another in the first quarter, and also adding points with a Dan Herron rushing touchdown and a Devin Barclay field goal, putting the Buckeyes up 24–0 at the end of the first quarter. In the second, the Eagles scored twice on a Dwayne Priest run and a touchdown pass by Alex Gillett to Kinsman Thomas. However Ohio State responded, and Sanzenbacher caught two more passes from Pryor for touchdowns, and at the end of the first half the Buckeyes led 38–14. The second half saw the Buckeyes pull away, scoring five more touchdowns including another Pryor-to-Sanzenbacher connection, and redshirt freshman Jaamal Berry's first collegiate touchdown. The end of the third quarter saw the Ohio State second and third string players enter the game. However, Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes did not relent. In the end Buckeyes won the rout 73–20, the most points scored by Ohio State in 60 years and the most ever by a team coached by Jim Tressel. Sanzenbacher tied an Ohio State record with four touchdown receptions. Pryor had six touchdowns on the day; four passing, one rushing, and one receiving. Ohio State ended their 2010 non-conference schedule with a record of 4–0 (all subsequently vacated), staying in the national championship hunt.
1st Quarter OSU – (13:04) Pryor 53-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 3 plays, 56 yards, 1:04. (Buckeyes 7–0) OSU – (10:55) Sanzenbacher 31-yard reception from Pryor, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:58. (Buckeyes 14–0) OSU – (6:41) Barclay 42-yard field goal is GOOD. Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:03. (Buckeyes 17–0) OSU – (0:30) Herron 7-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:06. (Buckeyes 24–0)
2nd Quarter EMU – (10:47) Priest 2-yard run, TOUCHDOWN. Graham extra point is GOOD. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:43. (Buckeyes 24–7) OSU – (7:44) Sanzenbacher 9-yard reception from Pryor, TOUCHDOWN. Barclay extra point is GOOD. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:03. (Buckeyes 31–7)