Nick Bosa and Darron Lee have a chance to become the latest Buckeyes to insert themselves into Super Bowl lore on Sunday night as the 49ers and the Chiefs battle for the championship.
But before Bosa and Lee become the 59th and 60th former Ohio State players to appear in a Super Bowl, we take a look back at some of the most iconic Buckeye Super Bowl performances.
Tom Matte and Matt Snell – Baltimore Colts and New York Jets – Super Bowl III
In Super Bowl III, a pair of Buckeyes became only players from the same school to rush for 100 yards in the same Super bowl – and that's still true to this day.
Tom Matte of the Baltimore Colts and Matt Snell of the New York Jets combined for an eye-popping 306 yards in Super Bowl III, and are still the two leading rushers among Ohio State alums in the Super Bowl.
Matte made up most of the Colts' offense that day, rushing for 116 yards on 11 carries and also breaking a 58-yard run. He also added two catches for 30 yards, bringing his total yardage to 146.
It would have been the most total yardage in Super Bowl history for a Buckeye, if not for his running back counterpart on the other side.
Snell was absolutely dominant in the big game, leading his Jets to a 16-7 victory with 30 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown along with four catches for 40 yards.
238 rushings yards, 70 receiving yards and a touchdown for the pair of Buckeyes in the Super Bowl. Not a bad showing.
Paul Warfield – Miami Dolphins – Super Bowls VI, VII and VIII
In a feat that will likely never be matched, Paul Warfield not only made three consecutive Super Bowls with the Maimi Dolphins between 1972 and 1974, he was also the game's leading receiver in three consecutive Super Bowls.
Warfield hauled in four receptions for 39 yards against the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, three receptions for 36 yards against the Redskins in Super Bowl VII and two receptions for 33 yards against the Vikings in Super Bowl VIII, finishing with the most receiving yardage in all three games.
These numbers aren't eye-popping at all by today's standards, but it was a different game in the early 70s. Plus, even making three-straight Super Bowl's is an accomplishment in itself.
Eddie George – Tennessee Titans — Super Bowl XXXIV
Even though his Tennessee Titans lost, Eddie George was an absolute workhorse in Super Bowl XXXIV and had a memorable and dominant rushing performance in his biggest professional game.
The Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner handled 28 carries, rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns – the Titans' only two touchdowns of the game. He also added two catches for 35 yards to bring his game total to 130 yards accounted for.
Ultimately, though, George's Titans fell 23-16, coming just one yard short of a game-tying touchdown.
Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots – Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX
Mike Vrabel was known much more for his swarming defense and pass-rushing ability, but he was clutch on both sides of the ball in his final two Super Bowl appearances.
In Super Bowl XXXVIII, the former Buckeye All-American linebacker finished with two sacks on Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, but his highlight of the game – and perhaps career – came on offense when he caught the would-be game-winning touchdown to put the Patriots up 29-22 with 2:51 on the clock.
The next year, Vrabel did it again. On defense, he had a sack on Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, which set up an interception. On offense, he hauled in another go-ahead Super Bowl touchdown.
He'll always be remembered for what he did on the other side of the ball, but when Vrabel did play defense, all he did was score touchdowns – literally. Between 2002 and 2007, Vrabel caught passes, all of which went for touchdowns, including those two big ones in the Super Bowl.
Santonio Holmes – Pittsburgh Steelers – Super Bowl XLIII
Ohio State has had 58 alums play in the Super Bowl, but only one was ever named the game's MVP. That unique honor goes to Santonio Holmes.
Holmes exploded for 131 yards on nine catches in Super Bowl XLIII, including what might be the most iconic catch in Super Bowl history.
With 42 seconds left and the Steelers trailing 23-20 in the red zone, Holmes came through with a perfect toe-tapping touchdown grab to put Pittsburgh ahead with just seconds left in the game.
Holmes was also the primary reason the Steelers were in the red zone in the first place, as his 40-yard catch-and-run took the ball from near midfield all the way inside the Arizona six-yard line.
| Super Bowl | Date | Name | Position | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Jan. 11, 1967 | Jim Tyrer | T | Kansas City Chiefs | L, 35-10 |
| III | Jan. 12, 1969 | Tom Matte | RB | Baltimore Colts | L, 16-7 |
| III | Jan. 12, 1969 | Bob Vogel | T | Baltimore Colts | L, 16-7 |
| III | Jan. 12, 1969 | Matt Snell | FB | N.Y. Jets | W, 16-7 |
| IV | Jan. 11, 1970 | Jim Tyrer | T | Kansas City Chiefs | W, 23-7 |
| IV | Jan. 11, 1970 | Jim Marshall | DE | Minnesota Vikings | L, 23-7 |
| V | Jan. 17, 1971 | Bob Vogel | T | Baltimore Colts | W, 16-13 |
| VI | Jan. 16, 1972 | Paul Warfield | WR | Miami Dolphins | L, 24-3 |
| VII | Jan. 14, 1973 | Paul Warfield | WR | Miami Dolphins | W, 14-7 |
| VIII | Jan. 13, 1974 | Jim Marshall | DE | Minnesota Vikings | L, 24-7 |
| VIII | Jan. 13, 1974 | Paul Warfield | WR | Miami Dolphins | W, 24-7 |
| IX | Jan. 12, 1975 | Jim Marshall | DE | Minnesota Vikings | L, 16-6 |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Len Willis | WR | Minnesota Vikings | L, 32-14 |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Jim Marshall | DE | Minnesota Vikings | L, 32-14 |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Jack Tatum | DB | Oakland Raiders | W, 32-14 |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Morris Bradshaw | WR | Oakland Raiders | W, 32-14 |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Neal Colzie | DB | Oakland Raiders | W, 32-14 |
| XII | Jan. 15, 1978 | Randy Gradishar | LB | Denver Broncos | L, 27-10 |
| XIV | Jan. 20, 1980 | Doug France | T | L.A. Rams | L, 31-19 |
| XIV | Jan. 20, 1980 | Bob Brudzinski | LB | L.A. Rams | L, 31-19 |
| XV | Jan. 25, 1981 | Morris Bradshaw | WR | Oakland Raiders | W, 27-10 |
| XVI | Jan. 24, 1982 | Pete Johnson | FB | Cincinnati Bengals | L, 26-21 |
| XVI | Jan. 24, 1982 | Ray Griffin | CB | Cincinnati Bengals | L, 26-21 |
| XVI | Jan. 24, 1982 | Archie Griffin | RB | Cincinnati Bengals | L, 26-21 |
| XVII | Jan. 30, 1983 | Tom Orosz | P | Miami Dolphins | L, 27-17 |
| XVII | Jan. 30, 1983 | Bob Brudzinski | LB | Miami Dolphins | L, 27-17 |
| XIX | Jan. 20, 1985 | Bob Brudzinski | LB | Miami Dolphins | L, 38-16 |
| XIX | Jan. 20, 1985 | John Frank | TE | San Francisco 49ers | W, 38-16 |
| XX | Jan. 26, 1986 | Shuan Gayle | S | Chicago Bears | W, 46-10 |
| XX | Jan. 26, 1986 | Mike Tomczak | QB | Chicago Bears | W, 46-10 |
| XXI | Jan. 25, 1987 | William Roberts | T | New York Giants | W, 39-20 |
| XXI | Jan. 25, 1987 | Pepper Johnson | LB | New York Giants | W, 39-20 |
| XXIII | Jan. 22, 1989 | John Frank | TE | San Francisco 49ers | W, 20-16 |
| XXV | Jan. 27, 1991 | William Roberts | T | New York Giants | W, 20-19 |
| XXV | Jan. 27, 1991 | Pepper Johnson | LB | New York Giants | W, 20-19 |
| XXVI | Jan. 26, 1992 | Joe Staysniak | OL | Buffalo Bills | L, 37-24 |
| XXVI | Jan. 26, 1992 | Jim Lachey | T | Washington Redskins | W, 37-24 |
| XXX | Jan. 28, 1996 | Mike Tomczak | QB | Pittsburgh Steelers | L, 27-17 |
| XXXI | Jan. 26, 1997 | William Roberts | G | New England Patriots | L, 35-21 |
| XXXI | Jan. 26, 1997 | Terry Glenn | WR | New England Patriots | L, 35-21 |
| XXXI | Jan. 26, 1997 | Keith Byars | FB | New England Patriots | L, 35-21 |
| XXXI | Jan. 26, 1997 | Tom Tupa | P | New England Patriots | L, 35-21 |
| XXXIII | Jan. 31, 1999 | William White | S | Atlanta Falcons | L, 34-19 |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Chris Sanders | WR | Tennessee Titans | L, 23-16 |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Eddie George | RB | Tennessee Titans | L, 23-16 |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Orlando Pace | T | St. Louis Rams | W, 23-16 |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Lorenzo Styles | LB | St. Louis Rams | W, 23-16 |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Joe Germaine | QB | St. Louis Rams | W, 23-16 |
| XXXVI | Feb. 3, 2002 | Orlando Pace | T | St. Louis Rams | L, 20-17 |
| XXXVI | Feb. 3, 2002 | Mike Vrabel | LB | New England Patriots | W, 20-17 |
| XXXVI | Feb. 3, 2002 | Ryan Pickett | DT | St. Louis Rams | L, 20-17 |
| XXXVII | Jan. 26, 2003 | Tom Tupa | P | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W, 28-21 |
| XXXVII | Jan. 26, 2003 | Rickey Dudley | TE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W, 28-21 |
| XXXVIII | Feb. 1, 2004 | Mike Vrabel | LB | New England Patriots | W, 32-29 |
| XXXIX | Feb. 6, 2005 | Mike Vrabel | LB | New England Patriots | W, 24-21 |
| XL | Feb. 5, 2006 | Rodney Bailey | DE | Seattle Seahawks | L, 21-10 |
| XLI | Feb. 4, 2007 | Mike Doss | DB | Indianapolis Colts | W, 29-17 |
| XLI | Feb. 4, 2007 | Tyler Everett | S | Chicago Bears | L, 29-17 |
| XLII | Feb. 3, 2008 | Mike Vrabel | LB | New England Patriots | L, 17-14 |
| XLIII | Feb. 1, 2009 | Santonio Holmes | WR | Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 27-23 |
| XLIV | Feb. 8, 2010 | Malcolm Jenkins | CB | New Orleans Saints | W, 31-17 |
| XLIV | Feb. 8, 2010 | Will Smith | DE | New Orleans Saints | W, 31-17 |
| XLV | Feb. 6, 2011 | Will Allen | DB | Pittsburgh Steelers | L, 31-25 |
| XLV | Feb. 6, 2011 | AJ Hawk | LB | Green Bay Packer | W, 31-25 |
| XLV | Feb. 6, 2011 | Ryan Pickett | DL | Green Bay Packer | W, 31-25 |
| XLV | Feb. 6, 2011 | Matt Wilhelm | LB | Green Bay Packer | W, 31-25 |
| XLVI | Feb. 5, 2012 | Jim Cordle | C | New York Giants | W, 21- 17 |
| XLVI | Feb. 5, 2012 | Jake Ballard | TE | New York Giants | W, 21- 17 |
| XLVII | Feb. 3, 2013 | Alex Boone | OT | San Francisco 49ers | L, 31-34 |
| XLVII | Feb. 3, 2013 | Larry Grant | LB | San Francisco 49ers | L, 31-34 |
| XLVII | Feb. 3, 2013 | Ted Ginn | WR | San Francisco 49ers | L, 31-34 |
| XLVII | Feb. 3, 2013 | Donte Whitner | S | San Francisco 49ers | L, 31-34 |
| XLIX | Feb. 1, 2015 | Nate Ebner | DB | New England Patriots | W, 28-24 |
| L | Feb. 7, 2016 | Andrew Norwell | OL | Carolina Panthers | L, 24-10 |
| L | Feb. 7, 2016 | Ted Ginn Jr. | WR | Carolina Panthers | L, 24-10 |
| L | Feb. 7, 2016 | Corey Brown | WR | Carolina Panthers | L, 24-10 |
| L | Feb. 7, 2016 | Bradley Roby | DB | Denver Broncos | W, 24-10 |
| LI | Feb. 5, 2017 | Nate Ebner | DB | New England Patriots | W, 34-28 |
| LII | Feb. 4, 2018 | Malcolm Jenkins | S | Philadelphia Eagles | W, 41-33 |
| LIII | Feb. 3, 2019 | Jake McQuaide | LS | Los Angeles Rams | L, 13-3 |
| LIII | Feb. 3, 2019 | Nate Ebner | DB | New England Patriots | W, 13-3 |
| LIII | Feb. 3, 2019 | John Simon | DE | New England Patriots | W, 13-3 |
