Football Fields, Photos and Fans

Aerial view of Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This photograph was taken on October 21, 1922, at the stadium's dedication game when the Buckeyes played University of Michigan. Via Ohio Memory.
Aerial view of Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This photograph was taken on October 21, 1922, at the stadium’s dedication game when the Buckeyes played University of Michigan. Via Ohio Memory.
Fans and players along the OSU sidelines, ca. 1920. Via Ohio Memory.
Fans and players along the OSU sidelines, ca. 1920. Via Ohio Memory.

 

We hope all of our readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week, but this past weekend also marked another important “holiday” for those of us who consider ourselves past, present, or honorary Ohioans–the Ohio State-Michigan football game! Like 9 out of the last 10 years, the Buckeyes came out on top, beating the Wolverines with a score of 42-28. With this win, Ohio State will go on to play in the Big Ten Championship game tomorrow against Wisconsin. Go Bucks!

To celebrate the Ohio victory, let’s take a look back at some football images from Ohio Memory. But first, some football facts! The Ohio State and Michigan rivalry is often traced back in part to the aftermath of the Toledo War, which saw the two states at odds over boundaries between their territory. However, as the inaugural game wasn’t played until 60 years after the war’s conclusion, this explanation leaves something to be desired. OSU and Michigan first faced off on October 17, 1897, in Ann Arbor–a game which Michigan dominated 34-0. Their second game in 1900 was a rather remarkable no-scoring tie, and in fact, Ohio State only scored two touchdowns in the first ten years of competition!

Chic Harley, seen at right, with an unidentified teammate, via Ohio Memory.
Chic Harley, seen at right, with teammate Gaylord “Pete” Stinchcomb, via Ohio Memory.

The largest win in the rivalry’s history was Michigan’s 1902 shutout victory at 86–0, and one legend has it that after this rout, the Ohio State alma mater, Carmen Ohio, was written on the train trip home from Ann Arbor. In 1919, Ohio State won their first game against Michigan with the help of Chic Harley, and by the 1920s, the outcome of the games was no longer so Michigan-heavy. The official overall record stands at 58 wins to Michigan, 46 wins to Ohio, and 6 ties.

Still looking for more football fun? Visit Ohio Memory to find images of the 1890 university football team, the program cover from the Ohio Stadium dedication game, the first Script Ohio in 1936, a beautiful shot of the stadium along the Olentangy, and much more!

Thanks to Lily Birkhimer, Digital Projects Coordinator at the Ohio History Connection, for this week’s post!

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