Flashback: Buckeyes Handle Illini in Champaign in 1979 – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Then head coach Earle Bruce will serve as honorary captain in Saturday’s game with Illinois, ’79 team honored
En route to its Big Ten title and 1980 Rose Bowl berth, Ohio State traveled to Illinois and handled the Illini, 44-7, in Champaign. Find a game recap below from the Nov. 3, 1979 tilt.
The 1979 team will be honored at halftime of the game Saturday vs. Illinois and Earle Bruce, Ohio State’s head coach from 1979-87, will serve as the Buckeyes’ honorary captain.
1979 Season Glance
Former Ohio State player and assistant coach Earle Bruce is named head coach. The Buckeyes finish the regular season 11-0 and come within a point of a national championship, falling 17-16 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Bruce is named the Big Ten and national coach of the year in his first season.
