Archie Griffin Reflects on the Historic 1968 Ohio State Football Team’s Impact

Archie Griffin Reflects on the Historic 1968 Ohio State Football Team’s Impact

 

Columbus, OH – Fifty years ago today, a 14-year-old boy living in the Eastmoor neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, had no idea that his burgeoning love for Ohio State football would soon be ignited by one of the most iconic seasons in college football history. It was a season that would elevate the Ohio State Buckeyes to national prominence and culminate in a national championship. That boy, now a legend in Ohio State sports history, is Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history.

 

It was during the 1968 season that Griffin, then just a teenager, had his first inkling that the Ohio State football team was “pretty special.” He recalls the moment clearly, still remembering the energy and excitement surrounding the Buckeyes during that remarkable year.

 

“You listened to the games on WVKO radio back then,” Griffin recalled in a recent interview. “And especially when you listened to that game against Purdue, which came in No.1 in the country. You knew Purdue had some great athletes. And to have the Buckeyes beat them the way they did, then all of a sudden you thought, ‘This Ohio State team could be pretty special.’”

 

The 1968 Ohio State football team, led by head coach Woody Hayes, indeed proved to be more than just special—they were dominant. After a string of successful seasons, the Buckeyes were ready to make their mark on college football. Their season, filled with unforgettable moments, ultimately earned them the top spot in the polls, with an undefeated record of 10-0-0. Ohio State’s dominating performance in the Big Ten and in non-conference play set the stage for a national championship.

 

Ohio State’s victory over Purdue on October 26, 1968, was particularly memorable. Purdue came into the game ranked No. 1 in the nation, with an explosive offense led by future NFL stars like quarterback Mike Phipps. Ohio State, on the other hand, had an undefeated record but faced significant questions about whether they had the firepower to compete with the nation’s top teams. The Buckeyes answered those questions emphatically, dismantling Purdue 13-0 at Ohio Stadium in one of the most convincing victories of the season.

 

For Archie Griffin, the game against Purdue was a turning point. “That was the game when you knew this team was something special,” Griffin said. “They were well-coached, disciplined, and had the kind of talent you just don’t see every year. You could sense that something big was coming.”

 

What Griffin witnessed as a young fan in 1968 was just the beginning. That Ohio State team, led by the legendary Hayes, would go on to dominate the rest of the season, culminating in a 27-16 victory over Southern California in the Rose Bowl, which secured their national championship. The team’s defense was suffocating, the offense efficient, and the chemistry between players remarkable. Future NFL stars like offensive lineman Jim Stillwagon, linebacker Mike Lanham, and defensive back Jack Tatum helped make the Buckeyes a formidable opponent.

 

The 1968 season also marked the emergence of key players who would become household names in Ohio State lore. Among them was running back Jim Otis, who provided a strong and physical presence in the backfield, and quarterback Rex Kern, whose leadership and clutch performances were pivotal throughout the season. It was a team effort, and each player contributed to the team’s unparalleled success.

 

But perhaps the most important legacy of the 1968 Ohio State football team was the way it captivated the imaginations of fans like Archie Griffin. That season planted the seeds of a lifelong commitment to Ohio State football for Griffin, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in Buckeye history. Griffin, who would make his own mark in the college football world as a running back, would lead the Buckeyes to a national title of his own in 1970 and win two Heisman Trophies in 1974 and 1975.

 

Fifty years later, Griffin’s reflection on the 1968 Ohio State football team is a reminder of the lasting impact that team had on the state of Ohio and the sport of college football. It was a season that solidified Ohio State’s place among the elite programs in the country, and it inspired generations of fans to follow the Buckeyes with unparalleled passion and loyalty.

 

For the Buckeyes, 1968 was not just a championship year—it was the dawn of a new era in Ohio State football. That team, led by Hayes, established a winning tradition that would carry on for decades, and their success remains a touchstone for every Ohio State team that has followed.

 

As Archie Griffin reflects on that magical 1968 season, he is reminded of the power of college football to unite communities and inspire young fans to chase their own dreams. And for Griffin, it was that season that would set him on the path to becoming a part of Ohio State’s football legacy—a legacy that remains as strong today as it was fifty years ago.

 

Looking back on the impact of the 1968 team, it’s clear that those Buckeyes didn’t just win games—they sparked a movement, shaping the future of Ohio State football and creating a lasting connection between the team and its fans th

at continues to this day.

 

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