Throwback Thursday – November 14, 2013 – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2013
On October 10, 1964, head coach Woody Hayes and the Buckeyes traveled to Champaign, Ill., for a matchup of two undefeated teams – No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Illinois.
The Illini were the defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl champions with a ferocious defense headed by future Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus. Certainly, Illinois was the favorite heading in.
None of that seemed to matter to Hayes and Ohio State, as the game’s eventual outcome was far from expected. The Buckeyes defeated Illinois 26-0, shutting out the country’s No. 2 team.
Led by fullback Will Sander’s two rushing touchdowns, Ohio State’s offense capitalized on the superb effort of the Buckeye defense.
“Our offense simply took advantage of the opportunities that our defense brought for us,” Hayes said after the game (Sports Illustrated/Oct. 19, 1964).
Ohio State held the Illini to 140 yards of total offense, allowing them to cross midfield just four times in the game. The Buckeye defense forced five Illinois turnovers with four of the five leading to Ohio State scores.
