1961 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

1961 Ohio State Buckeyes football
FWAA national champion
Big Ten champion
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 2
Record8–0–1 (6–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Captains
  • Mike Ingram
  • Tom Perdue
Home stadiumOhio Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Ohio State $ 6 0 0 8 0 1
No. 6 Minnesota 6 1 0 8 2 0
No. 8 Michigan State 5 2 0 7 2 0
No. 12 Purdue 4 2 0 6 3 0
Wisconsin 4 3 0 6 3 0
Michigan 3 3 0 6 3 0
Iowa 2 4 0 5 4 0
Northwestern 2 4 0 4 5 0
Indiana 0 6 0 2 7 0
Illinois 0 7 0 0 9 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. The Buckeyes compiled an 8–0–1 record and finished No. 2 in the final AP and UPI/Coaches' Polls. They were awarded the national championship by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). This was the Buckeyes fourth national championship and the third for head coach Woody Hayes. The Alabama Crimson Tide were voted national champions by the AP and Coaches' Polls.

Days after the conclusion of the regular season, the university's faculty council voted down participation in the Rose Bowl,[1][2][3] which then went to No. 6 Minnesota, Big Ten runner-up.[4] A growing conflict between academics and athletics over Ohio State's reputation as a "football school" resulted in the faculty's decision to turn down an invitation to the Rose Bowl, resulting in much public protest and debate.

  1. ^ "Buckeyes finally lose, 28-25 in bowl debate". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. November 29, 1961. p. 48.
  2. ^ "Ohio State's rejection of Rose Bowl bid trip triggers sharp comments". Youngstown Vindicator. Ohio. Associated Press. November 29, 1961. p. 60.
  3. ^ "Ohio State rejects chance to play in Rose Bowl game". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. November 29, 1961. p. 11.
  4. ^ Stevenson, Jack (December 3, 1961). "Minnesota accepts bid, plays Uclans in Rose tilt". Youngstown Vindicator. Ohio. Associated Press. p. D-1.

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