Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes Carried Off the Field After Triumphant 20-9 Win Over Michigan in 1970
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is one of the most storied in college football, and in 1970, it delivered one of its most memorable moments. Legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes was carried off the field by his players after a hard-fought 20-9 victory over Michigan to close the regular season. This game was about more than just another victory for the Buckeyes—it was a statement of redemption and determination after Michigan upset the No. 1 Buckeyes the previous year.
The Build-Up to the Game
The 1969 matchup between Ohio State and Michigan still loomed large in the minds of the Buckeyes heading into the 1970 clash. In one of the most shocking upsets in college football history, Michigan, under first-year head coach Bo Schembechler, stunned an undefeated and top-ranked Ohio State team, 24-12. That loss not only ended Ohio State’s national championship aspirations but also marked the beginning of what would become the iconic “Ten-Year War” between Hayes and Schembechler.
Heading into the 1970 showdown, Hayes and his Buckeyes were determined to reclaim their dominance. The stakes were high—not just for Big Ten supremacy, but also for pride and redemption. The game was set in Columbus, and the anticipation was electric. Ohio State entered the game with an 8-0 record and a shot at another national title. Michigan, at 9-0, was equally motivated and ranked No. 4 in the country.
A Gritty, Hard-Fought Game
The game itself lived up to the intensity of the rivalry. Both teams were physical, disciplined, and relentless, embodying the coaching philosophies of Hayes and Schembechler. Ohio State’s defense set the tone early, limiting Michigan’s high-powered offense and keeping the Wolverines out of the end zone for the entire game. Michigan managed three field goals, but the Buckeyes’ defense stood tall when it mattered most, forcing crucial stops in key moments.
On offense, Ohio State leaned on its powerful rushing attack, led by standout running back John Brockington. Brockington, known for his bruising style of play, was instrumental in wearing down Michigan’s defense. Quarterback Rex Kern, a steady and reliable leader, managed the game efficiently, helping the Buckeyes control the clock and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Ohio State scored two rushing touchdowns, with Brockington and fullback Leo Hayden finding the end zone, and added a pair of field goals from kicker Fred Schram. The Buckeyes’ ability to dominate time of possession and win the battle in the trenches proved to be the difference in the game.
A Moment of Triumph for Woody Hayes
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the realization of victory set in for Ohio State. The Buckeyes had defeated their bitter rival and avenged the heartbreak of the previous year’s loss. The players, overwhelmed with emotion, hoisted Woody Hayes onto their shoulders and carried him off the field—a gesture of respect and gratitude for the coach who had led them to redemption.
For Hayes, the moment was deeply meaningful. Known for his fiery temperament and unrelenting drive to win, Hayes poured every ounce of himself into his team. The victory over Michigan symbolized more than just another win in his illustrious career—it was a reaffirmation of his coaching philosophy and the resilience of his program.
The win over Michigan secured Ohio State a share of the Big Ten championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes defeated Stanford to finish the season 9-1. While Ohio State fell short of a national title that year, the victory over Michigan remains a defining moment in the program’s history.
For Hayes, the 1970 win exemplified everything he stood for: toughness, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to his team. It also marked a key chapter in the “Ten-Year War,” a rivalry that would define college football in the 1970s.
Woody Hayes being carried off the field after the 20-9 victory over Michigan remains one of the most iconic images in Ohio State football history. It was a moment of redemption, celebration, and unity for a program that had been stung by defeat the year before. For the Buckeyes and their legendary coach, that November afternoon in 1970 will forever be remembered as a triumphant chapter in the story of one of college football’s greatest rivalries.