2020

Head coach: Ryan Day (2nd year)
Record: 7-1 (6-0 Big Ten)
Big Ten Champions
Sugar Bowl Champions

Nebraska – Oct. 24
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#5 Buckeyes 52, Cornhuskers 17

Defensive end Jonathon Cooper recorded a modest two tackles in Ohio State’s season-opening win over Nebraska, but became the first player in school history to wear No. 0 after the NCAA made it legal in the offseason. It is referred to as the Block “O” jersey and was present it in honor of Bill Willis, an All-American defensive end and national champion during his time with the Buckeyes (1942-44). Ohio State also wore “EQUALITY” on its back helmet bumper to promote racial equality.

at Penn State – Oct. 31
Beaver Stadium – University Park, PA
#3 Buckeyes 38, #18 Nittany Lions 25

Quarterback Justin Fields (No. 1) threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns – including two apiece to wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Jeremy Ruckert – to lead Ohio State to a relatively easy win at Penn State. Both the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions wore a “B1G Vote” helmet decal as part of the Big Ten’s initiative to raise awareness about the importance of voting.

Rutgers – Nov. 7
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#3 Buckeyes 49, Scarlet Knights 27

Fields continued his early-season excellence by scoring six total touchdowns (five passing and one rushing) as Ohio State beat Rutgers for the seventh time in as many tries, though a couple trick plays from the Scarlet Knights made the final score closer than it seemed throughout. The game marked the return of former Buckeyes safety Brendon White (No. 7), who transferred to Rutgers in the offseason.

Indiana – Nov. 21
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#3 Buckeyes 42, #9 Hoosiers 35

Cornerback Shaun Wade (No. 24) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown, which ultimately proved to be the difference in Ohio State’s seven-point win over Indiana. The Hoosiers were led by quarterback Michael Penix (No. 9), who threw for 491 yards, the fourth-most ever surrendered by the Buckeyes in a single game.

at Michigan State – Dec. 5
Spartan Stadium – East Lansing, MI
#4 Buckeyes 52, Spartans 12

Though he suffered a gunshot wound to the face while breaking up an off-campus altercation in the offseason and wondered if he’d ever play football again as a result, defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (No. 92) tipped a pass to himself in the end zone for a touchdown to help Ohio State pummel Michigan State. The Buckeyes wore white pants along wide their standard helmets and jerseys for the first time in school history.

Big Ten Championship vs Northwestern – Dec. 19
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
#4 Buckeyes 22, #14 Wildcats 10

Running back Trey Sermon (No. 8), who transferred from Oklahoma in the spring, rushed for a single-game school record 331 yards and two touchdowns to help Ohio State rally past Northwestern to capture its fourth consecutive Big Ten championship. The record was previously held by running back Eddie George, who rushed for 314 yards in a win over Illinois in 1995.

Allstate Sugar Bowl vs Clemson – Jan. 1
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
#3 Buckeyes 49, #3 Tigers 28

Fields set a Sugar Bowl record with six touchdown passes to lead Ohio State to a resounding win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes slightly modified their 1968 throwback uniforms by replacing the Block “O” on the collar with the athletics logo, making it reminiscent of the uniforms worn by the 2002 national championship team. Ohio State also wore a CFP logo with a white background on its helmet, though the background was black during the Buckeyes’ first three trips to the playoff. 

CFP National Championship vs Alabama – Jan. 11
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, FL
#1 Crimson Tide 52, #3 Buckeyes 24

Playing in place of an injured Sermon, running back Master Teague (No. 33) rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Buckeyes were unable to stop Alabama wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith (No. 6), who finished with a national championship game-record 12 receptions for 215 yards and three scores in the Crimson Tide’s blowout victory.