Buckeye Blogger NetworkThis worked pretty well that day
In today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we come to #74 a more recent game. The feature game is the November 3rd, 2012 smoking of Illinois, 52-22.
After a tight 1st quarter (7-6, OSU) the Buckeyes effectively put this game away in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Illini 24-0. Drew Basil kicked off the big quarter with a 31-yard field goal, then worked on extra points as Carlos Hyde (2 TD) and Rod Smith (1 TD) did the heavy lifting in that quarter.
For your viewing pleasure.
Yep, he could actually do that.
Pre Ohio State
Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria, OH and graduated from Elyria High School.
Ohio State
Janowicz played at Ohio State from 1948-1951. As a tailback in the single wing formation, the offense truly ran through Vic Janowicz. So much so, that in 1950 as a junior, Janowicz was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the second Buckeye to be recognized.. Woody Hayes, who coached Janowicz’s senior year, said of him:
“He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a placekicker and punter, played safety on defense and was an outstanding blocker. Janowicz epitomized the ‘triple-threat football player.”
High praise indeed, coming from Woody. However, things changed a bit in Janowicz’s senior year under his new coach. Woody and installed the T formation, which didn’t use Janowicz’s triple-threat capabilities, thus he an average season as a part-time starter.
Professional career
After college, Janowicz passed up offers to play professional football in order to pursue a baseball career. He reached the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played two seasons as a back-up catcher and third baseman..
Janowicz entered pro football in 1954 with the NFL’s Washington Redskins. As their starting halfback, he finished second in the league in scoring with 88 points in 1955. In 1956 he suffered a brain injury in an auto accident. Though he recovered from the injury, his football career was over.
Honors awards
You’d think that with his skills and accomplishments, Janowicz would have been highly decorated. And he was.
Post football
Off the field, Janowicz faced much adversity after his college success. Just before the car accident, his daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which she succumbed to eight years. Janowicz eventually made a full recovery and became a broadcaster of Buckeye football games. Following the death of his daughter, he went to work in the Abstract Manufacturing Company.
Janowicz worked with youth groups and volunteered often in the community despite his own personal tragedies. He died in Columbus OH of cancer in 1996 at age 66.
Thoughts
This was a treat for me to do Vic Janowicz’s profile. He just struck me as a truly multitalented athlete who never met a skill position (offense, defense, special teams) that he couldn’t play, and play well. Additionally, he also seemed to be the unassuming personality who took life’s ups, and later downs, as they came. The legacy of Vic Janowicz, I feel, is truly a gold standard for OSU athletes. And probably the general population, as well.
Thank you, Vic.
Robert Smith
In today’s episode of tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we are at #75; another Minnesota Golden Gopher appearance on the countdown list.
On October 27th, 1990 OSU rolled the Gophers, 52-23. It may seem that I’m picking on the Gophers, but I’m not. It’s just that they are “Minnesota Nice”, so they are well represented on our list.
Buckeye quarterback Greg Frey energized the offense with 257 yards passing and 3 TD’s.
Today is #76 in our continuing Countdown to Kickoff series placing us squarely at Minnesota’s 2nd appearance on the list. On October 29th, 2005, OSU outgunned the Gophers, 45-31.
The Buckeyes and Gophers played to 14-14 halftime at but Ohio State pulled away with 28 2nd half points. Antonio Pittman (186 yds, 2 TD’s) and Troy Smith (216 yds, 3 TD’s) powered the offense, while Ted Ginn Jr. returned a KO 100 yds for another TD.
Antonio Pittman on the loose
We are at #77 in today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, that means Rice was on the short end of OSU’s 1996 season opener, 70-7.
The Buckeyes had to replace Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, QB Bobby Hoying, TE Rickey Dudley and WR Terry Glenn. They did so, in a manner, with Pepe Pearson (119yds, 3TD’s/Michael Wiley (3TD‘s), John Lumpkin (1TD) and David Boston (1TD). Oh, and backup QG Joe Germaine threw 3TD passes.
Ohio State out-gained Rice 632-218 in total yards, so we’d be remiss to not mention the defense’s impact on that game as well.
Stanley Jackson
In today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we are at #78, which features the Buckeyes in their never-say-die comeback win over Minnesota on October 28, 1989, 41-37.
Coach Cooper’s Buckeyes were down 31-0 with 4:29 remaining in 1st half before getting on the board to trail 31-8 at the half. OSU rode the late 1st half momentum in the 2nd half, scoring the winning touchdown with less than a minute to play. They tied the record for largest deficit overcome for this win. And managed to commit 6 turnovers during the game.
Greg Frey loads up
In today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we are at #79, which can only mean the point total of the November 4th, 1989 beat-down that Ohio State put on Northwestern, 52-27.
Coach Cooper had the running game going in Evanston, with three Buckeyes hitting 100 yards. They were Dante Lee (157 yds, 3 TD’s), Scottie Graham (102, 1) and Carlos Snow (100, 1).
Our friend Vico talked about this matchup over at OHD (even had video of it before it got taken down), and points out a couple of other tidbits-
Northwestern has always been an interesting matchup for Ohio State; from the “doormat” status they held early on, through the Gary Barnett successes and the 2004 upset of Coach Tressel’s team, to the great things that Pat Fitzgerald is doing now. I’m among many who believe that the game in Evanston may be one of OSU’s toughest this coming season… although I’d prefer to relive the 1989 events.
Gaylord ‘Pete’ Stinchcomb
Today, in the Ohio State College Football Hall of Famers, we’ll take a look at Gaylord Roscoe “Pete” Stinchcomb, inducted into the HOF in 1973. Stinchcomb, born in 1895, was a native of Sycamore, OH. He and was honored as an all state halfback while playing for Fostoria High School. I’m not sure how the names ‘Gaylord’, ‘Roscoe’ nor ‘Stinchcomb’ could lead to nickname of ‘Pete’, but Pete it is.
Pre-Ohio State
Stinchcomb enrolled at Ohio State in 1916, which would have made him a playing contemporary of Chic Harley (HOF’er) and a player under John Wilce (HOF’er). Wow. He played quarterback and halfback in 1917, 1919 and 1920. Like his teammate, Chic Harley, Stinchcomb left OSU to volunteer (US Navy) for war service. Stinchcomb’s bio at the College Football HOF describes him:
“Although a lightweight at 165 pounds, Stinchcomb was a halfback blitz, quick and shifty as he made his way through enemy defenses.”
