Former Ohio State kicker, punter and quarterback Bob Atha died Tuesday after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 65.
A Worthington, Ohio, native, Atha served as a backup to quarterback Art Schlichter and placekicker Vlade Janakievski from 1978-80. As a senior in 1981, he took over as the Buckeyes’ starting placekicker while also backing up Mike Tomczak at quarterback. Atha led the team in scoring that season with 88 points, converting 13 field goals and 43 extra points while also scoring one touchdown.
Atha’s best game as a Buckeye came on Oct. 24, 1981, at Ohio Stadium, when he set a school record with five field goals in a 29-10 win over Indiana. He still shares that record with Mike Nugent (against NC State in 2004), Josh Huston (Texas in 2005) and Devin Barclay (Miami Hurricanes in 2010).
One of Atha’s most memorable moments nearly came three years earlier in the 1978 Gator Bowl. As he later recalled to The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State was driving deep into Clemson territory when Woody Hayes called for “that freshman kicker” from Worthington. Atha was set to attempt a go-ahead field goal but never got the chance. Clemson defensive tackle Charlie Bauman intercepted Schlichter with two minutes remaining. Hayes punched Bauman on the sideline, which would eventually lead to his dismissal, and Ohio State went on to lose, 17-15.
After his Ohio State career, Atha played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis (now Arizona) Cardinals. He later returned to Worthington, where he spent several decades working in his family’s oil and gas business.
