1916: The Big Bang of Buckeye Football
The 1916 Ohio State Buckeyes are recognized as one of the greatest teams ever to take the field for the Scarlet & Gray. More importantly, they ignited the everlasting passion of Buckeye football and ultimately put Ohio State on the map.
1916 Ohio State Buckeyes Football
- 27th season (est. 1890)
- Head Coach: John Wilce, 7-0 (4-0 in conference)
- 1st undefeated & untied season
- 1st Big Ten title (known as Western Conference)
- 1st victory over Indiana & Wisconsin
- 128-0 vs. Oberlin: Most points scored & highest margin of victory in school history
- All-Americans: Bob Karch & Chic Harley
"If you never saw him run with a football, we can’t describe it to you. It wasn’t like Red Grange or Tom Harmon or anybody else. It was kind of a cross between music and cannon fire, and it brought your heart up under your ears."
- Author and native Ohioan James Thurber on Chic Harley
Charles William "Chic" Harley
- Born: September 15, 1894. Died: April 21, 1974
- Ohio State QB, HB, SAF, P, K
- WWI Army Pilot
- Ohio State's 1st Consensus & 3x All-American
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
- First-team HB, Associated Press CFB All-Star Team
- 8.74 PPG (school record)
- 4 INT in 1919 vs. Team Up North (school record)
- Led Ohio State to their 1st victory over Team Up North
The Chic Harley Era
Harley's remarkable playmaking ability drew crowds that packed Ohio Field's 20,000 seats. So much that it sparked a $1.3 million funding drive, leading to the construction of Ohio Stadium.
The House That Harley Built
Because of Chic Harley's influence towards the creation of Ohio Stadium, it is often referred to as "The House That Harley Built."
100 years and 108,000+ screaming fans later...
... The 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday November 5, donning the 1916 inspired "Music and Cannon Fire" alternate uniforms designed by NIKE.
Respect The Past. Represent The Future.
Ohio State's 1916 alternate uniform showcases aesthetics seen on the original 1916 design, such as vertical striping on the front panel and shoulder pads. Additionally, new elements, derived from James Thurber's famous Chic Harley "Music and Cannon Fire" quote, are illustrated through a custom interior jersey patch (also featured on custom insoles for cleats) and the textured, matte black "Cannonball Helmet."