All Time Buckeye Greats: Through The Woody Hayes Era

In 1973 Woody Hayes decided to revamp his offense and switch to the I-formation to utilize the skills of his star sophomore running back Archie Griffin. In order for the new offense to run efficiently he needed the right quarterback, one who could run and throw. He found that guy in Cornelius Greene.

Greene was a threat on the option play, he could fake a pitch to Archie and turn upfield for a big gain. But he could also drop back and hit wide receiver Brian Baschnagle downfield. His versatility made it difficult for the defense to simply key on Griffin.

That season the Buckeyes were 10-0-1 and defeated USC in the Rose Bowl. The next two seasons the Buckeyes won the Big Ten title as well. In the three seasons “Corny’” Green was at the helm, Ohio State was 33-3-1 and won three Big Ten championships.

When Cornelius Green had finished his career at Ohio State he had rushed for more yards than any other Ohio State quarterback. He also had the third most passing yards by a Buckeye.

Green played on Buckeye teams with several All-Americans so it was easy for him to be overlooked by some. But not by defensive coordinators and certainly not his coaches and his teammates. His senior season he was voted the team’s MVP.

And to show the respect he had throughout the conference, that same season when Archie Griffin won his second Heisman Trophy, Green won the Big Ten MVP award.

Cornelius Green was the ideal quarterback for Woody’s new offense in 1973, and he became one of the great Ohio State quarterbacks of all time.

Next: Pete Johnson 1973-1976