Blast From The Past is a look back at a game played on the same date the Buckeyes are playing this week. Today we take a journey back to the Paul Brown led season of 1942.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
| Ohio State | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
The 1942 Ohio State Buckeyes won the school's first national championship.
BACKGROUND
The Buckeyes entered this game with a 2-0 record after defeating Forth Knox (59-0) and Indiana (32-21). USC came into this game with revenge on the brain after the Buckeyes waxed them 33-0 in 1941 at the Coliseum.
OHIO STATE PLAYERS
- Paul Sarringhaus was 3/3 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 60 yards.
- Bob Shaw had two receiving touchdowns (64 yards and 40 yards).
- Bob Frye rushed for a 37-yard touchdown.
- George Lynn scored on an eight-yard touchdown run.
Paul Sarringhaus rushed for 60 yards and was 3/3 passing against USC.
KEY PLAY OF THE GAME
From The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia:
After spotting USC an early first-quarter touchdown, the Buckeyes stormed back with 28 consecutive points. OSU's superior physical condition was again a factor, as Brown used many of his second and third team players throughout the game. Ohio State scored its first touchdown on a 64-yard pass play from Paul Sarringhaus to Bob Shaw, who caught the ball near the USC 37-yard line and raced the remaining distance after nearly swerving out of bounds.
QUOTABLE
USC coach Jeff Cravath per The Ohio State Football Encyclopedia:
...praised Paul Brown's squad, indicating Ohio State might not lose a game all season.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Cravath was incorrect about the Buckeyes finishing the season undefeated. Ohio State would lose in Madison to Wisconsin 7-17 three weeks after defeating USC. However, the 1942 team went on to win the school's first national championship after defeating No. 13 Illinois (44-20), No. 4 That Team (21-7) and the Iowa Seahawks (41-12).
MY THOUGHTS OF THE 1942 USC GAME
I wasn't alive to see this game. At some point in my life I would like to see Ohio State defeat Southern Cal. 1974 was the last time an Ohio State team walked off the field a winner against the Trojans. The Buckeyes have lost seven consecutive games to USC.
| Oppontent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Knox | W | 59-0 |
| Indiana | W | 32-21 |
| USC | W | 28-12 |
| Purdue | W | 26-0 |
| at Northwestern | W | 20-6 |
| at No. 6 Wisconsin | L | 7-17 |
| Pitt | W | 59-19 |
| No. 13 Illinois* | W | 44-20 |
| No. 4 That Team | W | 21-7 |
| Iowa Seahawks** | W | 41-12 |
| Total | 9-1 | 337-114 |
| Big Ten: 1st / National Champs | 34-11 |
*Game played in Cleveland
**This was the last time Ohio State played a team other than That Team to finish the regular season.
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES
The Rundown: Maryland at No. 1 Ohio State
Recruiting Recon: Maryland's Offense
Recruiting Recon: Maryland's Defense
NEXT ARTICLES
This Date In Ohio State History (Sat)
The Ohio State Effect: Maryland (Sun)
