Fifty years ago today, a 14-year-old in the Eastmoor neighborhood of Columbus was struck by the thought that the 1968 Ohio State football team just might be “pretty special.”
“You listened to the games on WVKO radio back then,” Archie Griffin said. “And especially when you listened to that game against Purdue, which came in No.1 in the country. You knew Purdue had some great athletes. And to have the Buckeyes beat them the way they did, then all of a sudden you thought, ‘This Ohio State team could be pretty special.
Fifty years ago today, Archie Griffin, a 14-year-old boy growing up in the Eastmoor neighborhood of Columbus, had a revelation that would shape his football journey and his life. It was during the 1968 Ohio State football season that he first had the thought that this Buckeye team, under the leadership of legendary coach Woody Hayes, just might be “pretty special.” For Griffin, a young boy in a city that was mad about its football, that season was more than just a series of games—it was the beginning of a lifelong connection to a program that would go on to be an indelible part of college football history.
Griffin recalled listening to games on WVKO radio, an experience that transported him into the heart of the action, where the sights and sounds of Ohio State football echoed through the airwaves. It was on one of those fall Saturdays that the Buckeyes faced off against the No. 1-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, a team loaded with talent and one of the top programs in the nation. Purdue had dominated college football in recent years and was widely regarded as one of the most complete teams in the country. But what Griffin heard that day on the radio was nothing short of electric. Ohio State, led by coach Woody Hayes, didn’t just beat Purdue—they dominated them, leaving an impression on young Archie that he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
### A Historic Season Begins
The 1968 season was a turning point for Ohio State football, and it quickly became apparent to those who followed the team that something special was brewing. While the Buckeyes had long been a respected program, 1968 marked a moment of transformation. The team was stacked with talent, both on offense and defense, and Coach Woody Hayes had assembled a group of players who were capable of achieving greatness. But it was more than just the raw talent; it was the way the team played together, the way they embodied the principles of hard work, discipline, and teamwork that Hayes instilled in them.
The 1968 Ohio State Buckeyes featured a mix of veteran leadership and fresh talent. They were led by quarterback Rex Kern, an unflappable leader who was as steady as he was skilled, and a defense that was both fierce and relentless. The team’s running game was powered by a trio of dynamic backs: Jim Otis, Dave Gallagher, and a young sophomore named Archie Griffin. The offensive line, known for its size and physicality, was a formidable force that allowed the Buckeyes to dominate opponents. But the most unique aspect of the 1968 team was its ability to rise to the occasion in big games, an attribute that would be on full display throughout the season.
Griffin, despite being just a young boy at the time, could feel the energy surrounding the team. Ohio State’s games were becoming more than just events—they were experiences. The Buckeyes’ victory over Purdue, which was particularly memorable, highlighted the team’s depth and power. Purdue came into that game with a perfect record and the confidence of a team that had rolled over its competition. Ohio State, however, had other plans. Behind a stellar performance by the offense and a rock-solid defense, the Buckeyes overwhelmed Purdue, winning the game with a commanding 13-0 scoreline. That game, in Griffin’s words, “sealed it”—this team had the makings of something truly special.
### The Moment of Realization
For Archie Griffin, a kid from Columbus who had grown up idolizing Ohio State football, this game against Purdue was more than just a victory—it was the moment when he realized that the 1968 Buckeyes could be the best team he had ever seen. There was something about the way Ohio State played that year—everything seemed to click. Griffin had been around Ohio State football long enough to know that the Buckeyes had been competitive, but this was different. This was a team that played with purpose, precision, and passion.
“When you listened to that game against Purdue, which came in No.1 in the country, you knew Purdue had some great athletes,” Griffin said. “And to have the Buckeyes beat them the way they did, then all of a sudden you thought, ‘This Ohio State team could be pretty special.’” It was this belief, born from that pivotal moment, that would eventually shape Griffin’s own dreams and aspirations. He could see it, feel it, and even begin to imagine himself as part of that legacy.
As a 14-year-old, Griffin had yet to realize that he would someday take center stage in the very program he admired. But that moment—the moment he recognized the greatness of the 1968 Ohio State team—set in motion a series of events that would lead him to become a Buckeye legend, winning two Heisman Trophies and leading Ohio State to countless victories. It’s clear, looking back, that the seeds of his future success were planted in those formative years, as he watched and listened to a team that captured the hearts of a city and a state.
### Ohio State’s Road to Glory
Ohio State’s 1968 season was filled with dominating victories, but the team’s most significant win came in the season finale. The Buckeyes faced their biggest test in the annual rivalry game against Michigan, a game that would determine the Big Ten championship and, with it, a berth in the Rose Bowl. In front of a packed Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes dismantled Michigan 50-14 in a game that would go down as one of the most iconic performances in college football history.
The victory over Michigan was the crowning achievement of a perfect regular season, and it set the stage for what would become an unforgettable bowl season. Ohio State’s victory propelled them into the Rose Bowl, where they faced the powerful USC Trojans, led by coach John McKay. In a back-and-forth battle, the Buckeyes emerged victorious, claiming the national championship with a 27-16 win. It was Ohio State’s first national title in 34 years and established Woody Hayes as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
For Archie Griffin, the entire season was a source of pride and inspiration. He had witnessed it all—Ohio State’s dominant performances, their rise to No. 1 in the polls, and the sheer joy of watching his favorite team make history. The 1968 team had set a new standard for excellence, one that would reverberate throughout the years.
### A Legacy Born from Watching Greatness
While Archie Griffin wasn’t yet a part of the Ohio State program in 1968, he was already dreaming of the day he would have the opportunity to don the scarlet and gray and carry on the tradition of greatness. The 1968 team became a benchmark for Griffin, a source of inspiration that pushed him to work harder, train smarter, and dedicate himself to being the best.
His time would come. In 1972, Griffin would make his debut as a freshman at Ohio State, quickly earning the starting running back role and making an immediate impact. Over the next four years, he would go on to set numerous records, win two Heisman Trophies, and lead Ohio State to multiple Big Ten titles and a national championship. But none of this would have been possible without that pivotal moment in 1968—the moment when a 14-year-old Archie Griffin, listening to the games on WVKO radio, realized that the Ohio State football team was “pretty special.”
### Conclusion: A Full Circle Moment
As Archie Griffin reflects on that moment from 1968, it’s clear that the impact of the 1968 Ohio State football team was far-reaching. For Griffin, a young boy listening to the game on the radio, it was the start of a lifelong connection to a program that would shape his own football career and legacy. It was the season that inspired him to believe that, one day, he too could be part of something truly special.
Fifty years later, the 1968 Ohio State football team remains one of the most iconic in the history of college football. Its dominance, its unity, and its ability to rise to the occasion are qualities that still define the program today. For Archie Griffin, the memory of that team—its victories, its players, and its impact on the city of Columbus—remains a defining moment in his life, a moment when he first realized the greatness of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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