| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| No. 5 Ohio State | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 23 |
Chris Spielman destroying a Duck.
BACKGROUND
This was the second game of the 1987 season. Ohio State was coming off of a 24-3 home victory over West Virginia to start the season. Eric Kumerow, Chris Spielman, Tom Tupa and William White were the captains for the team that would be Earle Bruce's last as head coach.
Oregon defeated Colorado 44-6 in Boulder to start the 1987 season on the right foot. Rich Brooks was the Ducks head coach. Brooks coached Oregon from 1977 through the 1994 season and amassed a 91-109-4 record.
RECAP OF THE GAME PER NYTIMES.COM
Vince Workman rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, and Tom Tupa passed for two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute 14 seconds of the third quarter today as Ohio State overcame Oregon, 24-14.
The victory moved Ohio State to 2-0. Oregon fell to 1-1.
Tupa completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards. In the second half, the senior quarterback was 13 of 17 for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ohio State rushed for 201 yards for a total offense of 435 yards. Oregon gained 81 yards on the ground for a total offense of 285 yards.
Vince Workman averaged 6.2 yards per carry against Oregon.
OHIO STATE PLAYERS
- Vince Workman led Ohio State with 162 rushing yards (6.2 ypc) and a touchdown.
- Tom Tupa completed 20/32 passes for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns.
KEY PLAY
Tom Tupa's two touchdown passes that happened in a one minute 14 second span of the third quarter.
THE REST OF THE STORY
The Buckeyes ended the 1987 season with a 6-4-1 record. The tie was against LSU in Baton Rouge. Going into The Game Ohio State had lost three straight games (Michigan State, at Wisconsin and Iowa). The losing streak cost Earle Bruce his job. Bruce's firing the week of The Game set the scene for Ohio State's 23-20 win over That Team in Ann Arbor. The John Cooper era started in 1988.
The 1987 Buckeyes had eight players that were selected in the 1988 NFL Draft. Eric Kumerow (1), Chris Spielman (2), Alex Higdon (3), Tom Tupa (3), William White (4), George Cooper (6), Ray Jackson (7) and Henry Brown (10).
Woody Hayes passed away six months before the start of the season on March 12, 1987. Perhaps a sign of things to come for the 1987 football team.
| Opponent | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | H | 24-3 |
| Oregon | H | 24-14 |
| No. 4 LSU | A | 13-13 |
| Illinois | A | 10-6 |
| Indiana | H | 10-31 |
| Purdue | A | 20-17 |
| Minnesota | H | 42-9 |
| No. 20 Michigan State | H | 7-13 |
| Wisconsin | A | 24-26 |
| Iowa | H | 27-29 |
| That Team | A | 23-20 |
| Totals | 6-4-1 | 224-181 (20-17) |
