Alternates

Record: 25-7

at Michigan – Nov. 21, 2009
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
#9 Buckeyes 21, Wolverines 10

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor (No. 2) threw for a modest 67 yards and one touchdown as Ohio State beat Michigan to wrap up an outright Big Ten title. The Buckeyes wore Nike Pro Combat uniforms for the first time, which paid homage to the 1954 national championship squad. The team also sported a pink Buckeye Leaf decal in memory of Stefanie Spielman, the wife of former linebacker Chris Speilman, who lost her fight with breast cancer just days prior.

Spring Game – April 24, 2010
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Gray 17, Scarlet 14

Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton (No. 13) outdueled Pryor to lead the Gray past the Scarlet in Ohio State’s annual spring game. Both teams wore practice jerseys with pink numbers, which were auctioned after the game to benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Michigan – Nov. 27, 2010
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#8 Buckeyes 37, Wolverines 7

Pryor tossed a pair of touchdown passes to lead Ohio State to yet another win over rival Michigan and a share of its record-tying sixth-straight Big Ten title. The Buckeyes donned Pro Combat uniforms once again, this time in honor of the 1942 national title team. The scarlet helmet feature a Bronze Star decal, which was awarded to former team captain Charles Csuri for his heroism in the Battle of the Bulge.

Spring Game – April 23, 2011
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Scarlet 59, Gray 12

Quarterback Braxton Miller (No. 5) gave fans a glimpse of the future while leading the Scarlet to a win over the Gray in Ohio State’s spring scrimmage. Miller tossed a touchdown pass and made numerous plays with his legs, while linebacker Andrew Sweat (No. 42) led the defense with 10 tackles. The Buckeyes wore camouflage helmets adorned with an American flag sticker on the front bumper and decals honoring track star Jesse Owens; volunteer strength and conditioning assistant Jake Nickle, who collapsed and died playing pickup basketball; and Colleen Dobbins, the late infant daughter of assistant lacrosse coach Dave Dobbins.

Wisconsin – Oct. 29, 2011
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Buckeyes 33, #12 Badgers 29

Miller’s touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Smith with 20 seconds left gave Ohio State a much-needed upset over Wisconsin, which suffered its second-consecutive defeat on a last-minute Hail Mary. The Buckeyes wore Pro Combat uniforms to celebrate the program’s 1961 national championship.

Michigan – Nov. 24, 2012
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 26, #20 Wolverines 21

Tempers flared when Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby (No. 1) and Michigan wide receiver/return specialist Dennis Norfleet got into a scuffle during pregame warmups, but the Buckeyes got the best of the Wolverines on the field to cap an undefeated season – though self-imposed sanctions from the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal kept Ohio State from the Big Ten Championship and, potentially, a shot a the national title. The Buckeyes wore special Rivalry uniforms, which featured a chrome helmet with oversized stripes and reflective helmet stickers.

Wisconsin – Sept. 28, 2013
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 31, #23 Badgers 24

Miller matched a career-high with four touchdown passes to lead Ohio State past Wisconsin. The Buckeyes wore their Rivalry uniforms for the second time, though with a different collar logo and number font (specifically on the No. 1) than what was worn during the 2012 Michigan game.

Penn State – Oct. 26, 2013
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 63, Nittany Lions 14

Wide receiver Corey “Philly” Brown hauled in four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown right before the half as Ohio State handed Penn State its worst loss in 114 years. The Buckeyes wore a ribbon decal and pink accessories for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

at Michigan – Nov. 30, 2013
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
#3 Buckeyes 42, Wolverines 41

Miller accounted for a career-high five touchdowns and safety Tyvis Powell intercepted a potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt as Ohio State held off Michigan. The Buckeyes wore all-white Rivalry uniforms, which were considered a nod to the 1950 Snow Bowl and later dubbed “Cocaine Whites.”

Discover Orange Bowl vs Clemson – Jan. 3, 2014
Sun Life Stadium – Miami Gardens, FL
#12 Tigers 40, #7 Buckeyes 35

Despite a valiant effort from Miller, who suffered a cracked rib and partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder during the game, Ohio State was unable to overcome a record-setting evening from Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins (No. 2), who caught 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

Virginia Tech – Sept. 6, 2014
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Hokies 35, #8 Buckeyes 21

Cornerback Eli Apple’s (No. 13) fourth-quarter interception set up a game-tying touchdown, but Virginia Tech shocked Ohio State with a pair of late scores – including a pick-six with just 46 seconds remaining – and handed head coach Urban Meyer his first regular-season loss in Columbus.

at Penn State – Oct. 25, 2014
Beaver Stadium – University Park, PA
#13 Buckeyes 31, Nittany Lions 24 (OT)

Defensive end Joey Bosa (No. 97) recorded six tackles and two and a half sacks in Ohio State’s win at Penn State, including a walk-off sack where he used a would-be blocker to take down quarterback Christian Hackenberg (No. 14) on fourth down in overtime.

Illinois – Nov. 1, 2014
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#13 Buckeyes 55, Fighting Illini 14

Running back Curtis Samuel (No. 4) rushed for 63 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns as Ohio State raced out to an early lead over Illinois and never looked back.

Allstate Sugar Bowl vs Alabama – Jan. 1, 2015
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
#4 Buckeyes 42, #1 Crimson Tide 35

Running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 15) rushed for 230 yards – 85 of which came through the heart of the South – to lead Ohio State to an upset win over top-ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Both teams wore special Nike Diamond Quest uniforms, with the Buckeyes giving a nod to their 1968 national championship team, and a playoff trophy decal on their helmets.

CFP National Championship vs Oregon – Jan. 12, 2015
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX
#4 Buckeyes 42, #2 Ducks 20

Elliott continued his late-season tear with 246 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State’s national championship win over Oregon. The Buckeyes wore the home version of their Diamond Quest alternate uniforms despite being the lower-ranked team.

at Virginia Tech – Sept. 7, 2015
Lane Stadium – Blacksburg, VA
#1 Buckeyes 42, Hokies 24

Miller (No. 1), now playing wide receiver, reintroduced himself to the world by scoring two touchdowns – one of which came with an electrifying spin move – to help Ohio State sprint past Virginia Tech. Both teams honored the lives of journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward, who were shot and killed during a live broadcast, with a helmet decal. Miller also donned a sticker for injured teammate Noah Brown (No. 80), who was lost for the season with a broken leg.

Hawai’i – Sept. 12, 2015
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#1 Buckeyes 38, Rainbow Warriors 0

Wide receiver Michael Thomas (No. 3) caught five passes for 52 yards, but notably delivered a devastating stiff arm in a what was otherwise a sluggish win for Ohio State over visiting Hawai’i.

Penn State – Oct. 17, 2015
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#1 Buckeyes 38, Nittany Lions 10

Quarterback J.T. Barrett (No. 16) rushed for two first-half touchdowns as a red zone specialist and then took over full-time for Cardale Jones in the third quarter as Ohio State dispatched Penn State with relative ease. The Buckeyes wore all-black uniforms and “Blood on the Leaves” scarlet helmet stickers for the first time in the win, dubbed a “Dark Night in the Shoe.”

Michigan State – Nov. 21, 2015
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#9 Spartans 17, #3 Buckeyes 14

Michigan State limited Miller (No. 5) to just one reception in his final game at Ohio Stadium and snapped Ohio State’s 23-game winning streak in the process. Both teams wore helmet deals in honor of Chad Carr – the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr – who had inoperable brain cancer. Carr passed away just two weeks later at the age of 5. Miller also donned stickers for injured teammates Brown and Corey Smith (No. 84), his mismatched helmet identification number and a Zone 6 decal.

at Michigan – Nov. 28, 2015
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
#8 Buckeyes 42, #10 Wolverines 13

One week after he was held to just 33 yards on 12 carries in a home loss, Elliott rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s rout of Michigan. The Buckeyes kept the Carr decal on their helmets for another week, while several Wolverines wrote #ChadTough on their helmet bumper.

at Oklahoma – Sept. 17, 2016
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, OK
#3 Buckeyes 45, #14 Sooners 24

Brown tied a school record with four touchdown receptions, including one where he pinned the ball behind the defender’s back, as Ohio State rolled past Oklahoma in Norman.

at Penn State – Oct. 22, 2016
Beaver Stadium – University Park, PA
Nittany Lions 24, #2 Buckeyes 21

Samuel gave Ohio State a 14-point lead with a 74-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, but Penn State blocked a late field goal attempt and returned it 60 yards for a score to upset the Buckeyes.

Nebraska – Nov. 5, 2016
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#6 Buckeyes 62, #10 Cornhuskers 3

Barrett threw four touchdown passes as Ohio State dominated Nebraska while wearing alternate uniforms that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the program’s first undefeated season and conference title in 1916. The helmet was meant to resemble a cannonball, while a tag inside the collar of the uniform made reference to a sportswriter’s description of All-American Chic Harley (1916-19) running like “music and cannon fire.” The Buckeyes also wore helmet decals to honor two-time All-American defensive lineman John Hicks (1970-73), who passed away earlier in the week from complications from diabetes.

Michigan – Nov. 26, 2016
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#2 Buckeyes 30, #3 Wolverines 27 (OT)

Barrett barely converted a 4th-and-1 and Samuel scored from 15 yards out on the very next play to give Ohio State a double-overtime win over Michigan. The Buckeyes paired their 1968 throwback jerseys with the aforementioned cannonball helmet and exclusive Nike LeBron James cleats.

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl vs Clemson – Dec. 31
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
#2 Tigers 31, #3 Buckeyes 0

Heisman runner-up Deshaun Watson (No. 4) rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as eventual national champion Clemson shut out Ohio State, with both teams once again donning Nike’s Diamond Quest uniforms. The Tigers contained the Buckeyes’ offensive attack and limited running back Curtis Samuel (No. 4) to just 67 total yards.

Penn State – Oct. 28, 2017
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#6 Buckeyes 39, #2 Nittany Lions 38

Barrett threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes – including a 16-yard toss with just 1:48 left in the game – to help Ohio State rally from an 18-point deficit and hand Penn State its first loss of the season. The Buckeyes wore all-gray uniforms, which featured a wolf-fur pattern on the helmet, base layer, numbers and socks.

at Michigan – Nov. 25, 2017
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
#9 Buckeyes 31, Wolverines 20

Dwayne Haskins (No. 7) replaced Barrett when he went down with a knee injury in the third quarter and led Ohio State to a come-from-behind victory over archrival Michigan. The Buckeyes wore what is essentially the road version of their all-gray “Land of the Wolves” alternates.

Nebraska – Nov. 3, 2018
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#10 Buckeyes 36, Cornhuskers 31

Running back J.K. Dobbins (No. 2) rushed for a season-high 163 yards and two touchdowns as Ohio State – wearing all-black uniforms for just the second time – rallied in the second half and then hung on to beat Nebraska.

Michigan State – Oct. 5, 2019
Memorial Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 34, #25 Spartans 10

Dobbins rushed for 177 yards – including a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter – as Ohio State overcame a sluggish start to roll past Michigan State. The Buckeyes wore all-black uniforms for the third time in program history, which included a slight change to the front helmet bumper.

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl vs Clemson – Dec. 28
State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ
#3 Tigers 29, #2 Buckeyes 23

Dobbins rushed for 142 of his 174 yards and a score in the first half as Ohio State raced out to a 16-0 lead in the College Football Playoff semifinal. But aided by several controversial calls, Clemson came back to win and advance to the national championship. Dobbins finished the season with 2,003 yards, breaking Eddie George‘s single-season school record (set in 1995).

at Michigan State – Dec. 5, 2020
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 with their standard helmets and jerseys for the first time in school history.

Allstate Sugar Bowl vs Clemson – Jan. 1, 2021
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
#3 Buckeyes 49, #3 Tigers 28

Quarterback Justin Fields (No. 1) 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 Trey 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.

Penn State – Oct. 30, 2021
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#5 Buckeyes 33, #20 Nittany Lions 24

While kicker Noah Ruggles’ three field goals made the difference in Ohio State’s victory over Penn State, a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive tackle Jerron Cage (No. 86) was undoubtedly the play of the game. The Buckeyes wore scarlet pants for the first time since the 1950s as part of their “Color Rush” promotion.