All Time Buckeye Greats: Through The Woody Hayes Era

Many people remember Woody Hayes’ offense as being built around a powerful fullback running the ball between the tackles. But in Woody’s first decade as the Ohio State head coach that was not necessarily the case. Then Bob Ferguson came along and everything changed.

In 1959 Ferguson began the season as a backup to the Heisman favorite Bob White, but he was starting by the end of the season. He averaged 6.1 yards a carry during that sophomore year.  Ferguson won All-American honors in 1960,61 and his senior season was a special one to say the least.

In 1961 Ferguson teamed with future NFL stars Paul Warfield and Matt Snell in the backfield, and the trio led the Buckeyes to a National championship. At the time, Warfield was referred to as the lightning in the backfield, and Ferguson the thunder.

For his efforts Ferguson was the UPI College Football Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award winner, and was runner up to Ernie Davis for the Heisman Trophy. It was the closest margin in the history of the Heisman voting with only 53 points separating the two.

Ferguson rushed for 2,162 yards in his career, second only to Howard Cassidy at the time. He is also remembered for never having been thrown for a loss running the football.

Bob Ferguson was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame, The College Football Hall of Fame, and was voted to Ohio State’s All-Century Team.

And he was Woody Hayes’ first  All-American fullback.

Next: Jim Otis 1967-69