Which play in Ohio State football history is the biggest? Please vote to assist us in choosing

Ohio State football is one of the most storied programs in the history of college football. The Buckeyes have been a powerhouse for decades, accumulating national championships, Big Ten titles, and a wealth of incredible individual performances. Their history is rich with unforgettable moments, but the question remains: which play in Ohio State football history is the biggest? This question is one that prompts debate, nostalgia, and passionate discussions among fans, as there are countless moments to choose from in the program’s extensive and illustrious history.

In order to narrow down the possibilities, it is important to consider key aspects that make a play significant—its impact on the outcome of a game, its historical relevance, and its lasting influence on the legacy of the program. To answer this question, we’ll explore several of the most iconic plays in Ohio State football history and attempt to come to a consensus on which one stands as the biggest.

1. The 2002 National Championship: The Interception by Chris Gamble

In terms of sheer importance to Ohio State football, one play that immediately comes to mind is Chris Gamble’s interception in the 2002 National Championship Game against the Miami Hurricanes. Ohio State entered that game as significant underdogs, facing a Miami team that was widely regarded as one of the best in college football history. Led by head coach Jim Tressel, Ohio State’s defense was stout, but no one really expected them to be able to stop Miami’s potent offense, which included NFL talents such as quarterback Ken Dorsey, running back Willis McGahee, and wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The game was tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter, and the Hurricanes had the ball on Ohio State’s 9-yard line, just minutes away from potentially winning the game. With less than 2 minutes remaining, Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey threw a pass intended for wide receiver Andre Johnson, but Chris Gamble, an Ohio State cornerback, made a key interception in the end zone, keeping the game tied and giving the Buckeyes another shot at the championship.

Gamble’s interception was pivotal in sending the game into overtime, and it helped shift the momentum in favor of Ohio State. In overtime, the Buckeyes won the game after a controversial pass interference penalty on Miami, setting up a touchdown run by Maurice Clarett to seal the victory. Ohio State’s 31-24 win marked the program’s first national championship in 34 years and solidified Jim Tressel’s legacy as a head coach.

For Ohio State fans, Gamble’s interception is not just a pivotal play in a single game; it was a defining moment in the history of the program. The Buckeyes had struggled to break through in the national title race for decades, and this interception helped pave the way for future success under Tressel.

2. The 2006 Game Against Michigan: Ted Ginn Jr.’s 82-Yard Touchdown

Another unforgettable play in Ohio State football history occurred in the 2006 “Game of the Century” against Michigan. With both teams entering the game undefeated, Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in the country, and Michigan was ranked No. 2. The stakes could not have been higher, as the winner of this game would have a clear path to the BCS National Championship Game.

Early in the game, with Ohio State leading 7-0, Ted Ginn Jr. changed the course of the contest with an 82-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff. Ginn took the kick at the 18-yard line, sprinted down the sideline, evaded multiple Michigan defenders, and found the end zone in one of the most electrifying plays in Ohio State history. The touchdown was a huge momentum swing, and it set the tone for the rest of the game, where the Buckeyes would go on to win 42-39.

While Ohio State would go on to face Florida in the national championship game, where they suffered a disappointing loss, Ginn’s touchdown remains a signature moment in the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan. It exemplified the speed, talent, and excitement that Ohio State football is known for and became an instant classic in the minds of Buckeye fans. The play, which gave Ohio State an early 14-0 lead, is still a highlight that gets replayed frequently on Ohio State’s highlight reels.

The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is one of the most heated in all of sports, and Ginn’s 82-yard kickoff return will forever be a part of that narrative. The play captured the essence of Ohio State’s dominance during the 2006 season and was an exhilarating example of the Buckeyes’ explosiveness on special teams.

3. The 2014 National Championship: Ezekiel Elliott’s 85-Yard Touchdown Run

In the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott delivered a performance that would go down in history as one of the most dominant individual showings in a national title game. Ohio State, under head coach Urban Meyer, had already dispatched Alabama and Oregon in the previous rounds to make it to the title game, and Elliott was poised to put the finishing touches on a historic season.

In the third quarter, with Ohio State leading Oregon 20-17, Elliott took a handoff and broke free for an 85-yard touchdown run that extended Ohio State’s lead to 27-17. The run was a thing of beauty—Elliott showcased his incredible speed, vision, and physicality, shaking off several Oregon defenders on his way to the end zone. That play was emblematic of Ohio State’s ability to execute when the stakes were at their highest.

Elliott’s 85-yard touchdown run was a defining moment in the game, as it essentially sealed the national championship for Ohio State. The Buckeyes would go on to win 42-20, and Elliott finished the game with 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns, earning him the game’s Most Outstanding Player honors. His performance and that particular play are forever etched in the history of Ohio State football, as it marked the program’s eighth national championship.

Elliott’s big run solidified Ohio State’s status as a college football powerhouse in the modern era, and it came at the culmination of a dominant run in the 2014 playoffs. It was also a statement by Meyer’s program that the Buckeyes were back on top of the college football world after a period of rebuilding.

4. The 2005 “Snow Bowl” Against Michigan: Antonio Pittman’s Game-Winning Touchdown

Ohio State’s win over Michigan in 2005 is another moment that resonates with Buckeye fans due to the drama and conditions of the game. On a snowy, freezing day in Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes faced their longtime rivals in a must-win game to advance to the Rose Bowl.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Michigan initially taking the lead. However, Ohio State responded with a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Troy Smith engineered the drive and handed the ball off to Antonio Pittman, who broke through Michigan’s defense for a 20-yard touchdown run with just over 2 minutes remaining. The score gave Ohio State a 25-21 victory, sending the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl and securing a memorable moment in the rivalry.

While not as nationally significant as other moments, Pittman’s touchdown in the snow encapsulated the heart and grit that Ohio State football embodies. The “Snow Bowl” is one of the most memorable games in Ohio State’s rich history with Michigan, and Pittman’s run remains a symbol of the toughness that defines the Buckeyes.

5. The 1974 “The Ohio State University” Touchdown: Jack Tatum’s Interception Return

One of the earliest iconic moments in Ohio State football history came in the 1974 game against Michigan. The Buckeyes had already established themselves as a dominant force under legendary head coach Woody Hayes. In this particular matchup, Ohio State’s defense made a pivotal play to secure the win. With the Buckeyes up by 1 point late in the game, safety Jack Tatum intercepted a Michigan pass and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the victory and keeping the Buckeyes undefeated in Big Ten play.

The game, played in front of an electric crowd in Ohio Stadium, marked the 20th consecutive victory for Ohio State against Michigan and solidified their place atop the college football world. Tatum’s interception return remains one of the most iconic plays in program history, and it helped pave the way for Ohio State’s dominance throughout the 1970s.