Game summaries
On September 29, 1956, Ohio State (ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll) defeated Nebraska, 34–7, before a crowd of 82,153 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The crowd was the largest for an opening game in Ohio State history to that point. The Buckeyes rushed for 416 yards in the game. Ohio halfback Don Clark scored two touchdowns on runs of 35 and 38 yards.[5]
On October 6, Ohio State (ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll) defeated Stanford, 32–20. The crowd of 82,881 was the largest to that point to see a game at Ohio Stadium. Stanford quarterback John Brodie completed 21 of 35 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State gained 302 of its 320 yards on the ground. In the fourth quarter, Don Clark ran for a touchdown and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jim Roseboro to break a 20–20 tie.[6]
On October 13, Ohio State (ranked No. 5 at the AP Poll) defeated Illinois, 26–6, before a crowd of 58,247 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Ohio State rushed for 307 yards, aided by the blocking of guard Jim Parker who was selected as the team's most valuable player for the 1956 season. Parker also played on defense and recovered a fumble at the Illinois 10-yard line to set up a touchdown. Quarterback Frank Ellwood rushed for two touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass to Jim Roseboro.[7]
On October 20, Ohio State (ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll) lost to Penn State, 7–6, before a crowd of 82,584 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Neither team scored through the first three quarters. Penn State's Bruce Gilmore scored on a short run in the fourth quarter, and Milt Plum kicked the extra point. Later in the quarter, Don Clark scored for Ohio State on a short touchdown run, but Frank Kremblas' kick for extra point went wide of the goalpost.[8]
On October 27, Ohio State defeated Wisconsin, 21–0, before a crowd of 82,661 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The victory was Ohio State's 16th in a row against a Big Ten opponent, tying a conference opponent.[9]
On November 3, Ohio State (ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll) defeated Northwestern, 6–2, before a homecoming crowd of 42,000 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston. Northwestern guard Al Viola blocked a punt in the first quarter that rolled out of the end zone for a safety. With 16 seconds left in the first half, Ellwood threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Leo Brown.[10]
On November 10, Ohio State (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) defeated Indiana, 35–14, before a crowd of 82,073 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The victory was Ohio State's 17th in a row against conference opponents, setting a new conference record. The Buckeyes also broke the Big Ten single-game record with 465 rushing yards against the Hoosiers.[11]
On November 17, Iowa (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) defeated Ohio State (ranked No. 6), 6–0, before a crowd of 57,732 at Iowa Stadium. Ohio State went into the game with the second best rushing attack in the country but were held to 147 rushing yards, their lowest rushing yardage total in two years. The result broke Ohio State's winning streak of 17 games against conference opponents and clinched for Iowa the conference championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl. After time expired, Iowa fans hauled down the goal posts and paraded through Iowa City.[12]
On November 24, in the annual Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry game, Michigan (ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll) defeated Ohio State (ranked No. 12), 19–0, before a crowd of 82,223 at Ohio Stadium. The loss deprived Ohio State of a share of its third consecutive Big Ten title and pushed Michigan to second in the conference standing. Terry Barr, playing in his last game for Michigan, scored two touchdowns.[13]
Nebraska
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Nebraska |
Pass Atts. | | 6 | | 11 |
Pass Comps. | | 2 | | 5 |
Pass Yards | | 62 | | 68 |
Yds./Pass | | 31.0 | | 13.8 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 66 | | 51 |
Rush Yards | | 416 | | 185 |
Yds./Rush | | 6.3 | | 3.6 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 478 | | 253 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 0 | | 2 |
Interceptions | | 0 | | 3 |
Total Turnovers | | 0 | | 5 |
[14]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Nebraska |
0 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
7 |
• Ohio St |
13 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
34 |
- Date: September 29
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 82,153
|
|
Stanford
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Stanford |
Pass Atts. | | 2 | | 32 |
Pass Comps. | | 1 | | 22 |
Pass Yards | | 18 | | 269 |
Yds./Pass | | 18.0 | | 12.2 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 56 | | 40 |
Rush Yards | | 302 | | 145 |
Yds./Rush | | 5.4 | | 3.6 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 320 | | 414 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 0 | | 1 |
Interceptions | | 0 | | 3 |
Total Turnovers | | 0 | | 4 |
[15]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Stanford |
6 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
20 |
• Ohio State |
14 |
0 | 6 | 12 |
32 |
- Date: October 6
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 82,881
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | OSU | Clark 35 yard run (Kriss kick) | OSU 7–0 |
| Q1 | | STAN | Valli 8 yard run (kick failed) | OSU 7–6 |
| Q1 | | OSU | Roseboro 7 yard run (Kriss kick) | OSU 14–6 |
| Q2 | | STAN | Isaacs 11 yard pass from Brodie (Raftery kick) | OSU 14–13 |
| Q3 | | OSU | Roseboro 7 yard run (kick failed) | OSU 20–13 |
| Q3 | | STAN | Barber 4 yard pass from Brodie (Raftery kick) | tie 20–20 |
| Q4 | | OSU | Clark 10 yard run (kick failed) | OSU 26–20 |
| Q4 | | OSU | Clark 18 yard pass from Roseboro (kick failed) | OSU 32–20 |
|
|
Illinois
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Illinois | | Ohio State |
Pass Atts. | | 14 | | 3 |
Pass Comps. | | 8 | | 2 |
Pass Yards | | 99 | | 29 |
Yds./Pass | | 12.4 | | 14.5 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 52 | | 54 |
Rush Yards | | 190 | | 282 |
Yds./Rush | | 3.7 | | 5.2 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 289 | | 311 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 2 | | 0 |
Interceptions | | 2 | | 0 |
Total Turnovers | | 4 | | 0 |
[16]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Illinois |
6 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
• Ohio St |
12 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
26 |
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | ILL | Jefferson 44 yard run (kick failed) | ILL 0–6 |
| Q1 | | OHST | Roseboro 1 yard run (kick failed) | tie 6–6 |
| Q1 | | OHST | Roseboro 14 yard pass from Ellwood (kick failed) | OHST 12–6 |
| Q3 | | OHST | Ellwood 6 yard run (Kremblas kick) | OHST 19–6 |
| Q4 | | OHST | Ellwood 1 yard run (Kremblas kick) | OHST 26–6 |
|
|
Penn State
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Penn State |
Pass Atts. | | 10 | | 17 |
Pass Comps. | | 3 | | 9 |
Pass Yards | | 89 | | 115 |
Yds./Pass | | 29.7 | | 12.8 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 48 | | 58 |
Rush Yards | | 188 | | 173 |
Yds./Rush | | 3.9 | | 3.0 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 277 | | 288 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 0 | | 2 |
Interceptions | | 2 | | 2 |
Total Turnovers | | 2 | | 4 |
[17]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Penn State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
Ohio State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
6 |
- Date: October 20
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 82,584
- Game weather: 70°F
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q4 | | PSU | Gilmore 1 yard rush (Plum kick) | PSU 0–7 |
| Q4 | | OSU | Clark 3 yard run (kick failed) | PSU 6–7 |
|
|
Wisconsin
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Wisconsin |
Pass Atts. | | 5 | | 10 |
Pass Comps. | | 1 | | 4 |
Pass Yards | | 28 | | 44 |
Yds./Pass | | 28.0 | | 11.0 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 67 | | 56 |
Rush Yards | | 293 | | 202 |
Yds./Rush | | 4.4 | | 3.6 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 321 | | 246 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 0 | | 4 |
Interceptions | | 1 | | 1 |
Total Turnovers | | 1 | | 5 |
[18]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Wisconsin |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Ohio State |
7 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
21 |
- Date: October 27
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 82,661
- Game weather: Clear, 57°F
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | OSU | Clark 23 yard run (Kriss kick) | OSU 7–0 |
| Q3 | | OSU | Ellwood 1 yard run (Kriss kick) | OSU 14–0 |
| Q4 | | OSU | Ellwood 1 yard run (Sutherin kick) | OSU 21–0 |
|
|
Northwestern
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Northwestern | | Ohio State |
Pass Atts. | | 16 | | 5 |
Pass Comps. | | 9 | | 2 |
Pass Yards | | 79 | | 19 |
Yds./Pass | | 8.8 | | 9.5 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 44 | | 54 |
Rush Yards | | 152 | | 193 |
Yds./Rush | | 3.5 | | 3.6 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 231 | | 212 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 1 | | 0 |
Interceptions | | 1 | | 0 |
Total Turnovers | | 2 | | 0 |
[19]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Ohio State |
0 |
0 | 6 | 0 |
6 |
Northwestern |
2 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
2 |
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | NW | Blocked punt by Viola for safety | NW 0–2 |
| Q3 | | OSU | Brown 7 yard pass from Ellwood (kick failed) | OSU 6–2 |
|
|
Indiana
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Indiana |
Pass Atts. | | 3 | | 17 |
Pass Comps. | | 1 | | 8 |
Pass Yards | | 5 | | 147 |
Yds./Pass | | 5.0 | | 18.4 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 75 | | 32 |
Rush Yards | | 465 | | 142 |
Yds./Rush | | 6.2 | | 4.4 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 470 | | 289 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 2 | | 2 |
Interceptions | | 0 | | 3 |
Total Turnovers | | 2 | | 5 |
[20]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Indiana |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
• Ohio State |
7 |
14 | 7 | 7 |
35 |
- Date: November 10
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 82,073
- Game weather: 44°F, Clear
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | OSU | Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (kick good) | OSU 7–0 |
| Q2 | | OSU | Clark 73 yard run (kick good) | OSU 14–0 |
| Q2 | | OSU | Roseboro 2 yard run (kick good) | OSU 21–0 |
| Q3 | | OSU | Ellwood 1 yard run (kick good) | OSU 28–0 |
| Q3 | | IU | Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (Cichowski kick) | IU 28–7 |
| Q4 | | OSU | Ellwood 5 yard pass from Brown (kick good) | OSU 35–7 |
| Q4 | | IU | Clark 3 yard run (Cichowski kick) | IU 35–14 |
|
|
Iowa
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Iowa | | Ohio State |
Pass Atts. | | 12 | | 11 |
Pass Comps. | | 5 | | 2 |
Pass Yards | | 63 | | 18 |
Yds./Pass | | 12.6 | | 9.0 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 51 | | 50 |
Rush Yards | | 176 | | 147 |
Yds./Rush | | 3.5 | | 2.9 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 239 | | 165 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 2 | | 1 |
Interceptions | | 0 | | 0 |
Total Turnovers | | 2 | | 1 |
[21]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Ohio State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Iowa |
0 |
0 | 6 | 0 |
6 |
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q3 | | IOWA | Gilmore 1 yard rush (Prescott kick failed) | IOWA 6–0 |
|
|
Michigan
Team Statistics
Statistic | | Ohio State | | Michigan |
Pass Atts. | | 5 | | 21 |
Pass Comps. | | 1 | | 10 |
Pass Yards | | 10 | | 156 |
Yds./Pass | | 10.0 | | 15.6 |
| | | | |
Rush Atts. | | 54 | | 47 |
Rush Yards | | 182 | | 127 |
Yds./Rush | | 3.4 | | 2.7 |
| | | | |
Total Yards | | 192 | | 283 |
| | | | |
Fumbles Lost | | 4 | | 0 |
Interceptions | | 2 | | 2 |
Total Turnovers | | 6 | | 2 |
[22]
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Michigan |
13 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
19 |
Ohio State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
- Location: Ohio Stadium
- Game attendance: 85,223
- Game weather: 28°F, Clear
|
| Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | MICH | Barr 21 yard pass from Van Pelt (Kramer kick failed) | UM 0–6 |
| Q1 | | MICH | Barr 4 yard rush (Kramer kick) | UM 0–13 |
| Q4 | | MICH | Maddock 1 yard run (Kramer kick failed) | UM 0–19 |
|
|