2018 Countdown thread

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 82, FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN SELECTION AND TEAM CAPTAIN WILLIAM SPAHR

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 82 WILLIAM SPAHR
William Spahr was a two-way player for Woody Hayes in the early 1960's, but starred on the defensive side of the ball as a starting defensive end for the Buckeyes.

DE WILLIAM SPAHR
1962-1964
b. 1943 (Columbus, Ohio)

• Three-year starter (1962-64)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (1964)
• Team Captain (1964)

During his time as a Buckeye, Ohio State compiled an 18-8-1 record and won two out of three games against Michigan. In 1964, Spahr helped the Buckeyes win their first six games of the season, rising to No. 1 in the country before losing two of their last three.

Spahr was named a team captain and a first-team All-Big Ten selection during his senior season, and went on to play in the East vs. West Shrine game on the same team as legendary quarterback Roger Staubach.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-ten-selection-and-team-captain-william-spahr

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 81, FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN SELECTION AND TEAM CAPTAIN BILLY RAY ANDERS

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 81 BILLY RAY ANDERS
He'd never played football until he tried out for the team in 1965 as a sophomore walk on, but Billy Ray Anders not only made the team, he earned a starting spot for the next years, was named a captain his senior season and finished his career as Ohio State's all-time leading receiver.

WR/TE BILLY RAY ANDERS
1965-1967
b. 1945 (Sabina, Ohio)

• Three-year starter (1966-67)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (1967)
• Team Captain (1967)

The Buckeyes didn't throw the ball much in Woody Hayes' offense, but Anders was undoubtably the most productive receiver Hayes ever had. He was the only receiver in Hayes' 28 seasons to catch more than 40 passes in a season, hauling in 55 in 1966, and finished his Ohio State career with 108 catches for 1,318 yards, making him the most productive pass-catcher in Buckeye history at the time.

Anders started every game for three years, and during his senior season he was named a team captain and given first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...n-selection-and-team-captain-billy-ray-anders

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 80, NATIONAL CHAMPION AND CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN TIGHT END JAN WHITE

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 80 WR/TE JAN WHITE
1967-1970
b. 1948 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

• Three-time Big Ten champion (1968, '69, '70)
• National champion (1968)
• All Big-Ten (1970)
• All-American (1970)

Like other tight ends before and after him, Jan White came to Columbus as a wide receiver in 1967. After sitting out a year in accordance with NCAA bylaw, White contributed to the fabled 1968 national title team as a "Super Sophomore."

After the season, coaches asked White to switch to tight end—a move he initially resisted. Woody's offense didn't glorify wide receivers, let alone tight ends. He knew he'd be asked to block.

White decided to do what was best for the team. After catching a single touchdown pass his sophomore year, he caught five as a tight end on a Big Ten championship team. He was one of 11 All-Big Ten players on the team.

The next season was his best, as he became the only consensus All-American tight end in Buckeye history. He finished with 61 catches and eight touchdowns in his career.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...rriors-no-80-all-american-tight-end-jan-white

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 79, TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN LEFT TACKLE CHRIS WARD

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 79 CHRIS WARD
The top Buckeye to wear No. 79 also ranks as one of the best offensive tackles in Ohio State history.

LT CHRIS WARD
1974-77
b. Dec. 16, 1956 (Dayton, Ohio)

• First-Team All-American (1976, 1977)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (1975, 1976, 1977)
• Academic All-American (1975)
• Team Captain (1977)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (1989)

In his first season as Ohio State's starting left tackle in 1975, Chris Ward helped pave the way for Archie Griffin's second Heisman Trophy-winning season, all the while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and helping lead the Buckeyes to a conference title.

In his two subsequent seasons as the Buckeyes' left tackle in 1976 and 1977, Ward earned first-team All-American honors – consensus in 1976 and unanimous in 1977 – as Ohio State won two more Big Ten titles.

In addition to his excellence on the field, Ward was also a top performer in the classroom, earning Academic All-American honors in 1975.

Ward went on to play for seven seasons in the NFL after being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1978 NFL draft by the New York Jets.

Entrie article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-two-time-all-american-left-tackle-chris-ward

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 78, TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE TACKLE KOREY STRINGER

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

Korey Stringer was widely regarded as one of the nation’s top prep offensive linemen after he led Warren G. Harding to a perfect record and state championship during his junior season in 1991. He was deemed a “must-get” prospect for Ohio State and then-head coach John Cooper, especially with Michigan and Syracuse pushing hard for his pledge.

OT KOREY STRINGER
1992-94
b. May 8, 1974 (Warren, OH)
d. Aug. 1, 2001 (Mankato, MN)

• Two-time All-American (1993-94)
• Two-time All-Big Ten (1993-94)
• Big Ten Offensive Linemen of the Year (1993-94)
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1992)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (2003)

The 6-foot-4, 335-pound Stringer saw action in 11 games as a true freshman in Columbus, six of which he started in place of the injured Alan Kline and Jason Winrow. He earned second-team all-Big Ten honors and was named the conference newcomer of the year as a result.

As a sophomore, Stringer helped pave the way for running back Raymont Harris to rush for 1,344 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. He was named first-team All-American by Eastman Kodak, Walter Camp and Scripps-Howard, as the Buckeyes finished the year with a 10-1-1 record and won the Big Ten title.

Ohio State’s offense was one of the nation’s best in 1994 thanks to Stringer and highly touted freshman tackle Orlando Pace. Behind them, quarterback Bobby Hoying threw for 2,235 yards — which was the second-highest single-season mark in school history at the time — while running back Eddie George rushed for 1,442 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 9-4 record and their first win at home over archrival Michigan in a decade. He was named a consensus All-American and was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.

Stringer skipped his senior season and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the with No. 24 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He started 91 games in his career and earned Pro Bowl honors what would ultimately be his final season in the National Football League.

Stringer was hospitalized after he suffered from heat stroke and collapsed during Minnesota’s 2001 preseason training camp. His organs failed and he never regained consciousness. He was just 27 years old.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-all-american-offensive-tackle-korey-stringer

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 77, NATIONAL CHAMPION, CAPTAIN AND FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ROB SIMS

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 77 ROB SIMS
The top Buckeye to wear No. 77 was one of the best to play offensive line for Ohio State in the Jim Tressel era.

OL ROB SIMS
2002-05
b. Dec. 6, 1983 (Macedonia, Ohio)

• Three-year Starter (2003-05)
• National Champion (2002)
• Team Captain (2005)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (2005)

Rob Sims was a three-year starter at Ohio State, and contributed to the 2002 team that took home the national championship for the first time since 1968.

Sims started at left tackle for the 2003 and 2004 seasons before bumping inside to guard in 2005, swapping spots with Doug Datish.

Sims never lost a bowl game in his career at Ohio State, winning three Fiesta Bowls and the Alamo Bowl in 2004. He was named a captain as a senior alongside the likes of A.J. Hawk, Nate Salley and Nick Mangold.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...t-team-all-big-ten-offensive-lineman-rob-sims

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 76, ALL-AMERICAN AND NATIONAL CHAMPION JIM MARSHALL

NO. 76 JIM MARSHALL
DE JIM MARSHALL
1957-1958
b. 1937 (Danville, Kentucky)

• All-American (1958)
• National champion (1957)

National titles define teams, and All-American honors define individual players. Jim Marshall finished his Buckeye career with both.

Marshall played just two seasons at Ohio State, but he certainly left his mark. One of the team's top defensive ends in history, Marshall helped guide the Buckeyes to the 1957 national championship and was named an All-American the following season.

Marshall's most memorable game came during the 1958 season in a 14-14 tied against Purdue when he scored all 14 of Ohio State's points. He intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and also kicked both extra points.

After a successful two-year stint with the Buckeyes, Marshall left Ohio State a year early and played in the Canadian Football League before beginning his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns a year later. He was later traded to the Minnesota Vikings where he started for 19 seasons, appearing in four Super Bowls.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...l-american-and-national-champion-jim-marshall

He was also famous for.....

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: THE INVENTOR OF THE PANCAKE BLOCK, NO. 75 ORLANDO PACE

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 75 ORLANDO PACE
OT ORLANDO PACE
1994-1996
b. Nov. 4, 1975 (Sandusky, Ohio)

• Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1994)
• B1G Offensive Player of the Year (1996)
• Unanimous All-American (1995, '96)
• Lombardi Award (1995, '96)
• Outland Trophy (1996)
• UPI Lineman of the Year (1996)
• College Football Hall of Fame (2013)

Orlando Pace was the easiest choice of this entire project.

Pace earned a starting position on Ohio State's offensive line on his first day of preseason camp and went on to start every game for the next three years.

Pace, the inventor of the pancake block in 1996 — in which an offensive lineman puts a defensive lineman on his back — did not allow a sack during the '95 and '96 seasons while showcasing a devastating downfield blocking ability.

Pace finished his junior campaign fourth in Heisman voting, which was the best finish for a Buckeye lineman since John Hicks placed second in 1973.
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His 1996 Heisman commercial can be seen below:



Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...entor-of-the-pancake-block-no-75-orlando-pace

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 74, OUTLAND TROPHY WINNER AND HEISMAN TROPHY RUNNER-UP JOHN HICKS

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 74 JOHN HICKS
In his senior year as Ohio State's right tackle in 1973, John Hicks had one of the greatest seasons by an offensive lineman in college football history.

RT JOHN HICKS
1970-73
b. March 21, 1951 (Cleveland, Ohio)
d. Oct. 30, 2016 (Columbus, Ohio)

• First-Team All-American (1972, 1973)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (1972, 1973)
• Outland Trophy (1973)
• Lombardi Award (1973)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (1985)
• College Football Hall of Fame (2001)
• Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (2009)

Along with being awarded the Outland Trophy as college football's best lineman, and the Lombardi Award as college football's best lineman or linebacker, Hicks finished second in voting for the 1973 Heisman Trophy – the closest an offensive lineman has ever come to winning the Heisman in the two-platoon era.

Hicks was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes at right tackle. After first earning that role in 1970, Hicks missed the 1971 season with a knee injury. He came back stronger than ever in 1972, however, earning All-American honors in each of his final two seasons at Ohio State (unanimous in 1973).

The first player to ever start in three Rose Bowls, Hicks was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...inner-and-heisman-trophy-runner-up-john-hicks

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS : NO. 73, NATIONAL CHAMPION AND ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE TACKLE BOB VOGEL

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 73 BOB VOGEL
Though he was born in Columbus, Bob Vogel was an all-state tight end at famed Massillon Washington High School.

OT BOB VOGEL
1960-62
b. Sept. 23, 1941 (Columbus, OH)

• National Champion (1961)
• Big Ten Champion (1961)
• Team Captain (1962)
• American College Coaches All-American (1962)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (2014)

Standing 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Vogel was moved to tackle upon his arrival in Columbus and quickly became one of college football’s best offensive linemen. He helped Ohio State to the 1961 Big Ten title and national championship, as voted on by the Football Writers’ Association of America — the only blemish that season being a season-opening tie with TCU.

Vogel — a team captain and All-American in 1962 — went 3-0 against Michigan, including a pair of shutouts to bookend his career in Columbus. The Buckeyes outscored the Wolverines 85-20 in those contests.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...l-all-american-national-champion-team-captain

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 72, ALL-AMERICAN AND NO. 1 OVERALL PICK DAN WILKINSON

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 72 DAN WILKINSON
Dan Wilkinson began his Buckeye career as a scout team offensive tackle, but ended it as a consensus All-American defensive lineman and became the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

DT DAN WILKINSON
1991-93
b. March 13, 1973 (Dayton, OH)

• Big Ten Champion (1993)
• All-Big Ten (1992, 93)
• Consensus All-American (1993)
• No. 1 Overall Pick in NFL Draft (1994)

Wilkinson was redshirted and sent to the scout team his freshman season, where he transformed from a 350-pound offensive lineman into one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the country. He lost nearly 50 pounds over the course of a year and earned a starting spot on defense the following season.

His sophomore season – his first as a starter – Wilkinson racked up 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, earning him All-Big Ten honors. The following season, Wilkinson continued his dominance, finishing the season with 44 tackles and 13 tackles for loss to help lead the Buckeyes to their first Big Ten title in seven seasons and earn himself consensus All-American honors.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-american-and-no-1-overall-pick-dan-wilkinson

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 71, ALL-AMERICAN AND ROSE BOWL CHAMPION PETE CUSICK

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 71 PETE CUSICK
DT PETE CUSICK
1972-74
b. Oct. 27, 1952 (San Bernardino, CA)

• Captain (1974)
• All-American (1974)
• All-Big Ten (1973, '74)
• Ohio State All-Century Team (2000)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (2012)

Pete Cusick started for three years at defensive tackle for Ohio State and served as a captain of the 1974 Rose Bowl championship team.

He earned All-American and All-Big Ten honors while helping lead Ohio State to three consecutive Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl appearances.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...l-american-and-rose-bowl-champion-pete-cusick

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 70, ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE TACKLE AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CAPTAIN DAVE FOLEY

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 70 DAVE FOLEY
The top Buckeye to wear No. 70 was one of the most important players on one of the best teams in Ohio State football history.

OT DAVE FOLEY
1966-68
b. Oct. 28, 1947 (Cincinnati, Ohio)

• First-Team All-American (1968)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (1968)
• National Champion (1968)
• Academic All-American (1966, 1968)
• Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (1984)

A three-year starter for the Buckeyes at offensive tackle, Dave Foley was a captain and a unanimous All-American left tackle for Ohio State in 1968, when the Buckeyes won all 10 of their games – including a 50-14 win over Michigan and a 27-16 win over USC in the Rose Bowl – and were crowned national champions.

Foley was previously the Buckeyes' starting right tackle in 1966 and 1967.

In addition to his performance on the field, Foley was also a standout in the classroom, earning Academic All-American honors in 1966 and 1968 and receiving the National Football Foundation scholarship in 1968 for his combined excellence in athletics and academics.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...national-championship-team-captain-dave-foley

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 69, ALL-BIG TEN OFFENSIVE GUARD AND ROSE BOWL CHAMPION DICK MACK

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 69 DICK MACK
Richard “Dick” Mack was a two-sport star at Bucyrus who lettered in football and track. An all-state offensive guard and linebacker for the Redmen in 1970, he also earned all-conference honors after he set a school shot put record with a throw of 52 feet, 6 inches.

OG DICK MACK
1972-74
b. Dec. 21, 1953 (Bucyrus, OH)

• All-Big Ten (1974)

The 5-foot-11, 217-pound Mack was a two-year starter at right guard for Woody Hayes. He blocked for running back Archie Griffin when he won the first of two Heisman trophies. The Buckeyes went 2-0-1 against Michigan and played in three Rose Bowls during Mack’s career.

Mack served as a graduate assistant under Hayes while attending law school, then coached the tight ends and receivers at Cincinnati from 1978-80. . He is currently the senior vice president and trust director at PNC Wealth Management in Cleveland.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ors/2018/06/93941/99-warriors-no-69-dick-mack

 

[ScriptOhio]

99 WARRIORS: NO. 68, NATIONAL CHAMPION AND TWO-TIME ALL AMERICAN JIM STILLWAGON

We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.

NO. 68 JIM STILLWAGON
DL JIM STILLWAGON
1968-70
b. Feb. 11, 1949 (Mount Vernon, OH)
d. Feb. 4, 2018 (Columbus, OH)

• National Champion (1968)
• Big Ten Champion (1968, '69, '70)
• Rose Bowl (1969)
• Captain (1970)
• Consensus All-American (1969, '70)
• All Big-Ten (1969, '70)
• Lombardi Award (1970)
• Outland Trophy (1970)
• UPI Defensive Lineman of the Year (1970)
• College Football Hall of Fame (1993)
• Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame (1979)

Former Ohio State defensive lineman Jim Stillwagon was one of the greatest players of the Woody Hayes era.

Stillwagon was a famed "Super Sophomore" on Woody Hayes' 1968 national championship team and went on to became a three-year starter in the trenches.

In 1969, Stillwagon anchored a defense that only surrendered 93 points during the season. His teammates voted him the most valuable player in 1970, when he won the first ever Lombardi Award as well as the Outland Trophy and UPI Lineman of the Year.

He was a consensus All-American in both years and played in two Rose Bowls, winning one over USC in 1969.

As a senior, he served as captain along with Rex Kern, Jan White and Douglas Adams.

The Green Bay Packers drafted Stillwagon in the fifth round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He instead opted to play for the Toronto Argronauts of the Canadian Football League, where he became a three-time all-star.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-national-champion-and-captain-jim-stillwagon