The 2019 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes played their home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. This was the Buckeyes' 130th overall season and 107th as a member of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by Ryan Day, in his first season as Ohio State's full-time head coach.
Ohio State began the year ranked fifth in the preseason AP Poll. The Buckeyes climbed to number one in the College Football Playoff rankings by the end of the regular season, after dominating wins over Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic, American Athletic Conference runner-up Cincinnati, and Mid-American Conference champion Miami (OH) in the non-conference schedule; and comfortable wins over ranked Big Ten teams Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan in conference play. In the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State defeated Wisconsin a second time, by a score of 34–21 to win their third consecutive conference title. In the final CFP rankings of the season, Ohio State dropped from first to second, passed by SEC champion LSU, which placed Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl to play defending national champion and third-seeded Clemson. Ohio State lost that game, 29–23, to end the year at 13–1. This would be the last time Ohio State defeated Michigan and achieved a perfect 12–0 regular season until 2025.
The Buckeyes were led on offense by sophomore quarterback Justin Fields, an incoming transfer from Georgia that was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility by the NCAA. He led the Big Ten with 3,273 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns, and finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Running back J. K. Dobbins became the first Buckeye running back to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark, finishing tied atop the Big Ten with Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor at 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns. On defense, Ohio State was led by defensive end Chase Young, who led the country with 16.5 sacks and won several defensive player of the year awards while also finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was also named a unanimous All-American, along with cornerback Jeff Okudah. Head coach Ryan Day was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the media, becoming the first Ohio State head coach to win it since Earle Bruce in 1979.
Preseason
Spring Game The 2019 Spring Game was held at Ohio Stadium on April 13, 2019, with the Gray team defeating the Scarlet team, 35–17.
Date Time Spring Game Site TV Result Attendance April 13 12:00 pm Scarlet vs. Gray Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH BTN Gray 35–17 60,000
Preseason Big Ten poll Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2019 poll, Ohio State was projected to finish in second in the East Division behind Michigan.
Schedule Ohio State's 2019 schedule would begin with two non-conference home games, first against Florida Atlantic of Conference USA and then against Cincinnati of the American Athletic Conference. Ohio State's third non-conference game, a home game against Miami (OH) of the Mid-American Conference, would be played after the Buckeyes' conference opener against Indiana.
In Big Ten Conference play, Ohio State would play all members of the East Division and drew Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin from the West Division.
Personnel
Roster
Coaching changes
On December 4, 2018, head coach Urban Meyer announced his retirement from coaching effective after the 2019 Rose Bowl Game. Ryan Day was announced as his replacement. On December 8, 2018, Interim Wide Receivers Coach Brian Hartline was promoted to full-time wide receivers coach. On January 2, 2019, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was hired by Ohio State as the new passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. On January 4, 2019, Ohio State Co-defensive coordinator and Safeties coach Alex Grinch was hired by Oklahoma as defensive coordinator. On January 7, 2019, defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and linebackers coach Billy Davis were fired by Ohio State, and replaced with Michigan Defensive line coach Greg Mattison and former San Francisco 49ers Defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley. Mattison and Hafley will serve as Co-defensive coordinators. Also On January 7, 2019, defensive line coach Larry Johnson was promoted to associate head coach, while continuing his duties as defensive line coach, he takes over for former associate head coach Greg Schiano who was fired earlier that day. On January 8, 2019, Ohio State hired Michigan linebackers coach Al Washington as the new linebackers coach.
Depth chart Starters and backups.
Rankings
Game summaries
Florida Atlantic
Summary
The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0, 0–0) faced the Florida Atlantic Owls (0–0, 0–0) in a home match up, and the first game under new head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes came in as heavy favorites over Lane Kiffin's Owls.
The Buckeyes found quick success on their opening possession on a 51-yard touchdown run from Georgia transfer Justin Fields. The offense went on to score three more touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 28–0 lead. The remainder of the half resulted only in a 28-yard FAU field goal to give the Buckeyes a 28–3 halftime lead.
The FAU offense would score a field goal on their opening possession to make it a three-possession game. The Buckeyes continued their woes until 2:37 left in the third quarter when Fields threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Ruckert. The third quarter ended with the Buckeyes up 35–6. The fourth quarter had two drives that resulted in 14-points for the Owls and 10 for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State allowed 22 rushing yards behind defensive end Chase Young, who had a total of five tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass deflection.
Statistics +TeamStatisticOSUFAUTotal yards469228Passing yards232206Rushing yards23722Penalties7-625-35Turnovers21Time of Possession32:0327:57 +IndividualStatsOhio StateFlorida AtlanticPassingJustin Fields (234)Chris Robison (178)RushingJ. K. Dobbins (91)James Charles (25)ReceivingChris Olave (68)Harrison Bryant (79)
Cincinnati
Summary
The Cincinnati Bearcats (1–0, 0–0) had high hopes in defeating the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–0, 0–0) after beating UCLA the previous week. The last win the Bearcats had over the Buckeyes was in 1897.
The Buckeyes took an early lead when the offense scored on their second possession, halfway through the first quarter. The Buckeye offense held the Bearcats to only two first downs in the opening quarter. The first scoring opportunity for Cincinnati came at the 11:29 mark with a 32-yard field goal that was blocked by Chase Young. The following three drives would result in three touchdowns by the Buckeyes and three punts by the Bearcats to make the halftime score 28-0 Ohio State.
Ohio State would score 14 more points in the second half and hold the Bearcats scoreless. The Bearcats had and opportunity to score when they got down to the OSU 4 but linebacker Tuf Borland intercepted a pass, thwarting the redzone attempt.
The shutout was the first for Ohio State since 2017 against Rutgers. Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
Statistics +TeamStatisticOSUUCTotal yards508273Passing yards238166Rushing yards270107Penalties2-2510-78Turnovers02Time of Possession31:2128:39 +IndividualStatsOhio StateCincinnatiPassingJustin Fields (224)Desmond Ridder (166)RushingJ. K. Dobbins (141)Tavion Thomas (58)ReceivingBinjimen Victor (69)Alec Pierce (93)
At Indiana
Summary
The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (2–0, 0–0) faced Big Ten East Division foe Indiana Hoosiers (2–0, 0–0) in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana hoped to snap a 23-game Ohio State win streak that began in 1989.
Ohio State and Indiana traded scores in the first quarter to give the Buckeyes a 7–3 lead. The second quarter heavily favored Ohio State scoring three touchdowns and a safety on a blocked punt by Chris Olave. The Hoosiers scored their only touchdown of the game with 1:07 left in the second quarter, making the halftime score 30–10, Ohio State.
OSU went on to score touchdowns on their two opening possessions and intercepting an Indiana pass for a 96-yard return by Damon Arnette. Neither team would score again, making the final 51–10. Ohio State held the Hoosiers to just 42 yards rushing, making it the second time in three games that they held their opponent to under 100 yards.
J. K. Dobbins was named Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week for his 193-yard rushing and two total touchdown performance.
Statistics +TeamStatisticOSUIUTotal yards520257Passing yards214215Rushing yards30642Penalties5–455–54Turnovers11Time of Possession27:5032:10 +IndividualStatsOhio StateIndianaPassingJustin Fields (199)Peyton Ramsey (162)RushingJ. K. Dobbins (193)Sampson James (14)Peyton Ramsey (14)ReceivingChris Olave (70)Peyton Hendershot (70)
Miami (OH)
Summary
The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (3–0, 1–0) faced the Miami RedHawks (1–2, 0–0) from the Mid-American Conference at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State came in as heavy favorites, having never lost to the RedHawks.
The Buckeyes found themselves quickly in a hole, trailing Miami 5–0 following a safety and a field goal halfway through the first quarter. Ohio State was able to finally score and take the lead on a 7-play, 75-yard drive that was topped off by a J. K. Dobbins 26-yard run at the 5:16 mark of the first quarter. The Buckeyes would go on to score touchdowns on all six of their possessions of the second quarter, and the defense would force three Miami turnovers. The Buckeyes lead at halftime 49–5.
Ohio State went to tack on two more touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters and allowing the Miami offense to only gain 29 net yards. Ohio State scored their largest win since 2013.
Statistics +TeamStatisticOSUMIUTotal yards601130Passing yards37460Rushing yards22770Penalties6-524-50Turnovers13Time of Possession27:0230:18 +IndividualStatsOhio StateMiami (Ohio)PassingJustin Fields (223)Brett Gabbert (48)RushingSteele Chambers (63)Maurice Thomas (44)ReceivingK. J. Hill (78)Jack Sorenson (42)
At Nebraska
Summary
The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (4–0, 1–0) faced the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3–1, 1–0) in a cross-divisional match up. The game would be featured on College GameDay. The previous match up ended with a narrow five-point Ohio State victory. The one and only Nebraska victory came in 2011 when the Cornhuskers defeated the Buckeyes 34–27 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska began the game on a 31-yard drive that ended in an Adrian Martinez interception. The Buckeyes were able to take advantage of the turnover and drive 50 yards to score a Justin Fields touchdown run. The Buckeyes forced a three-and-out and scored another touchdown following a 60-yard drive. For the remainder of the half, Ohio State would score three more touchdowns and a field goal while intercepting two more Martinez passes and forcing three Cornhuskers' punts. Ohio State lead 38–0 at the half.
The Buckeyes were able to score 10 more points in the second half and the Cornhuskers were able to get on the board late in the third quarter, ending Ohio State's streak of eight quarters without allowing a touchdown. The final score ended in favor of Ohio State 48–7.
Statistics +TeamStatisticOSUNEBTotal yards580231Passing yards21247Rushing yards368184Penalties2-256-57Turnovers03Time of Possession36:5423:06 +IndividualStatsOhio StateNebraskaPassingJustin Fields (212)Adrian Martinez (47)RushingJ. K. Dobbins (177)Adrian Martinez (81)ReceivingAustin Mack (66)Maurice Washington/Dedrick Mills (10)
Michigan State
Summary