The 1986 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their eighth year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 10–3 record (7–1 in conference games), tied with Michigan for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 319 to 167. They opened the season with back-to-back losses (Alabama and Washington) for the first time since 1891. They then won nine consecutive games before losing to No. 6 Michigan. They concluded the season with a 28–12 victory over No. 8 Texas A&M in the 1987 Cotton Bowl Classic. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 182.2 rushing yards and 177.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 136.3 rushing yards and 165.5 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jim Karsatos (1,927 passing yards, 53.8% completion percentage), running back Vince Workman (985 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry), and wide receiver Cris Carter (65 receptions for 1,066 yards). Carter and linebacker Chris Spielman were consensus first-team All-Americans. Seven Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Carter (AP/UPI); Spielman (AP/UPI); center Bob Maggs (AP/UPI); defensive end Eric Kumerow (AP/UPI); guard Jeff Uhlenhake (AP); tight end Ed Taggert (AP); and defensive back Sonny Gordon (AP).
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Schedule
Game summaries Vs. Alabama
At Washington
Colorado
Utah
Illinois
At Indiana
At Purdue
Dave Brown's interception return set a Big Ten record for longest in a single game.Eugene Register-Guard. 1986 Oct 19. Retrieved 2019-Sep-23.
Minnesota
Iowa
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Michigan
Matt Frantz missed a 45-yard field goal that would have given Ohio State the lead with 1:01 remaining in the game. Chris Spielman had 29 tackles in defeat.
Vs. Texas A&M (Cotton Bowl)
Personnel Roster
Depth chart
1987 Ohio State Football Media Guide
1987 NFL draftees Cris Carter 4 3 Wide receiver Philadelphia Eagles Sonny Gordon 6 157 Defensive back Cincinnati Bengals Jamie Holland 7 173 Wide receiver San Diego Chargers Scott Leach 9 234 Linebacker New Orleans Saints Jim Karsatos 12 322 Quarterback Miami Dolphins
References