1954 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

The 1954 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was led by QB Dave Leggett and captains John Borton and Dick Brubaker. They were the second national title team in Ohio State football history. They were coached by Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes. The Buckeyes were awarded the title by the AP Poll and represented the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl.

The Buckeyes finished the 1953 season with a record of 6-3. They began the 1954 season ranked #20 and defeated six top ranked teams to capture their first league title under fourth year Coach Hayes.

Led by their powerful defense, the Bucks beat the #2 Wisconsin Badgers and their eventual Heisman Trophy winner Alan Ameche on an 88 yard interception return by Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, who would win the award the following year. The Buckeye defense forced 35 turnovers during the season and allowed only two teams to score more than one touchdown

In their game against the Michigan Wolverines, the Bucks held a goal-line stand and then drove 99 yards for a touchdown. The AP Poll declared the Bucks to be number one while the UPI Coaches Poll opted for 9-0 PCC Champion the UCLA Bruins. However, because of the “no repeat rule” the Bruins were locked out of the Rose Bowl leaving the Buckeyes to play second place Southern California.

The 1955 Rose Bowl was played during a rainstorm in poor field conditions. However, Ohio State managed to gain 304 yards and hold the Trojans to only six first-downs. USC's only score came on an 86 yard punt return. The team finished 10-0 for the first time in school history.

Coaching staff

 * Woody Hayes - Head Coach - 4th year

All-Americans

 * Dean Dugger, E
 * Howard Cassady, HB (Team MVP)
 * Jim Reichenbach, G

All-Big Ten

 * Dean Dugger, E
 * Howard Cassady, HB
 * Francis Machinsky, T
 * Dick Hilinski