National Championships 1942 - 1961

Oct 13, 2026

A historical overview of Ohio State football national championship seasons, highlighting key years from 1942 through 1961. The text summarizes major achievements such as first, second, and third national titles, standout records and rankings in polls, decisive bowl victories, and season performance including win-loss details and notable point totals. It also describes context around World War II, coaching disputes, team turnover impact, and specific game results, naming players and coaches featured in team rosters.

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Pages5

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National championships overview

1942 national champions - Associated Press

1954 national champions - Associated Press

1957 national champions - UPI and Football Writers

1961 national champions - Football Writers

EIGHT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1942 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS – ASSOCIATED PRESS Rank 1 1 1 6 10 5 3 SEPT OCT NOV 26 03 10 17 24 31 07 14 21 28 Fort Knox Indiana Southern California Purdue at Northwestern at \#6 Wisconsin Pittsburgh vs. \#13 Illinois \#4 Michigan Iowa Seahawks W W W W W L W W W W 59-0 32-21 28-12 26-0 20-6 7-17 59-19 44-20 21-7 41-12 Front Row: William Durtschi, Robert Frye, Les Horvath, Thomas James, Lindell Houston, Wilbur Schneider, Richard Palmer, William Hackett, George Lynn, Martin Amling, Warren McDonald, Cyril Lipaj, Loren Staker, Charles Csuri, Paul Sarringhaus, Carmen Naples, Ernie Biggs. Second Row: William Dye, Frederick Mackey, Caroll Widdoes, Hal Dean, Thomas Antenucci, George Slusser, Thomas Cleary, Paul Selby, William Vickroy, Jack Roe, Robert Jabbusch, Gordon Appleby, Paul Priday, Paul Matus, Robert McCormick, Phillip Drake, Ernie Godfrey. Third Row: Paul Brown (Head Coach), Hugh McGranahan, Paul Bixler, Cecil Souders, Kenneth Coleman, James Rees, Tim Taylor, William Willis, William Sedor, John White, Kenneth Eichwald, Robert Shaw, Donald McCafferty, John Dugger, Donald Steinberg, Dante Lavelli, Eugene Fekete. Though World War II loomed over the nation, Ohio State football fans reveled in one of the most glorious seasons ever. The Buckeyes captured the school’s first national championship as well as a Big Ten title, finishing the year 9-1 and ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Led by a star-studded backfield that included Les Horvath, Paul Sarringhaus and Gene Fekete, OSU rolled to 337 points, a record that stood until 1969. The only loss of the season, a 17-7 decision at Wisconsin, even had an asterisk as several key players and coaches caught a debilitating virus from a drinking fountain on the train from Chicago to Madison. 102 2018 Ohio State Football NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1954 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS – ASSOCIATED PRESS Front Row: Hubert Bobo, Kenneth Thompson, James Roseboro, Morris, William Cummings, Raymond Williams, William Jobko, Jack Archer, David Richards, Jerry Trabue, James Wassmund, Richard Guy, Richard Slicker, Robert Lilienthal, Robert Cole, William Michael, Ernie Godfrey. Second Row: Zahler, Gene Fekete, James Parker, Howard Cassady, Raymond Riticher, Carroll Howell, Gerald Glenn Krisher, Dave Leggett, Richard Hilinski, John Borton, Richard Brubaker, Jack Gibbs, Bobby Watkins, Dean Dugger, Thurlow Weed, David Williams, Paul Ludwig, Donald Swartz, James Reichenbach. Third Row: Woody Hayes (Head Coach), Esco Sarkkinen, James Young, Jan Shedd, Andrew Okulovich, Gage, William Collmar, Thomas Spears, William Booth, Robert Bond, Francis Machinsky, Kenneth Vargo, Robert Thornton, David Weaver, Jerry Harkrader, Donald Stoeckel, Donald Vicic, Shingledecker, William Hess, Doyt Perry, Harry Strobel, Lyal Clark. Fourth Row: Lee Williams, Thomas Dillman, Aurelius Thomas, Lee Nussbaum, Thomas Quinn, Edward Howley, Stanley Humbert, Elbert Ebinger, Donald Frank, Karl Sommer, Lalo Blazeff, Charles Robson, Frederick Kriss, Franklin Ellwood, Franklyn Theis, Richard Ramser. Ohio State claims its second national championship with a perfect 10-0 season, beating Southern Cal, 20-7, in a rainy, mudsoaked Rose Bowl game. The rift between West Coast writers and Hayes is born when the OSU coach criticizes the Tournament of Roses Association for not covering the field before the game and allowing the bands to perform at halftime. The team forced 35 turnovers during a season in which the Buckeyes knocked off six ranked teams. Rank 14 10 4 4 1 2 2 1 1 SEPT OCT NOV JAN 25 02 09 16 23 30 06 13 20 01 Indiana \#18 California at Illinois \#13 Iowa \#2 Wisconsin at Northwestern \#20 Pitt at Purdue \#12 Michigan vs. \#17 USC W W W W W W W W W W 28-0 21-13 40-7 20-14 31-14 14-7 26-0 28-6 21-7 20-7 1957 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS – UPI AND FOOTBALL WRITERS Front

FAQs

Which years are covered for Ohio State national championships in the document excerpt?

The excerpt includes national champion seasons labeled 1942, 1954, 1957, and 1961, each with its respective selecting organization.

How did Ohio State perform in the 1942 season described here?

Ohio State finished 9-1, was ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, and scored 337 points, with its only loss described as a 17-7 decision at Wisconsin.

What key achievement is mentioned for Ohio State’s 1954 championship season?

Ohio State is described as claiming its second national championship with a perfect 10-0 season, winning the Rose Bowl 20-7 over Southern Cal.

Oct 13, 2026

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