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Quizzes > Sports

Ohio State trivia: Test your Buckeye football IQ

Quick, free Ohio State football quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kevin AnchetaUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a football helmet and buckeye leaf for an Ohio State trivia quiz on a teal background.

This quiz helps you test your Ohio State football trivia across big plays, standout players, and program history. Questions are quick, and you will see how much Buckeye knowledge you have in minutes. Want more challenges? Try our broader college football quiz, or take on a classic rivalry angle with the Notre Dame football quiz.

What year was Ohio State University founded?
1870
1885
1900
1865
Ohio State University was established in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, and it opened to students in 1873 after construction delays. Over the years, it expanded into a major public research university with a large campus in Columbus. It has grown to become one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment.
What nickname is given to Ohio State University's sports teams?
Panthers
Wolverines
Buckeyes
Cavaliers
The Ohio State Buckeyes are named after the state tree of Ohio, the buckeye. The nickname reflects regional pride and has been in use since the late 19th century. All varsity sports teams at the university use the Buckeyes moniker.
Who is the official mascot of Ohio State University?
Big Red
Sparty
Smokey
Brutus Buckeye
Brutus Buckeye, an anthropomorphized nut with a Buckeye leaf hat, has been the official mascot of Ohio State University since 1969. The character appears at sporting events and university functions to rally fans and represent the Buckeye spirit. Brutus has become one of the most recognizable mascots in college athletics.
Which of the following is one of Ohio State University's official sports colors?
Blue
Gold
Scarlet
Green
Ohio State University's official colors are scarlet and gray, adopted in 1878 to distinguish the school's athletic uniforms. Scarlet is a bright red hue, while gray represents neutrality and balance. These colors appear on all Buckeye athletic uniforms and branding.
What is the name of the stadium where the Ohio State Buckeyes football team plays its home games?
Camp Randall Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium, commonly known as 'The Horseshoe', has been the home of the Buckeyes football team since 1922. Its design resembles a horseshoe shape, giving rise to its popular nickname. The stadium seats over 100,000 spectators, making it one of the largest college football venues in the country.
Which Ohio State player won the Heisman Trophy in 1995?
Chic Harley
Eddie George
Troy Smith
Archie Griffin
Eddie George won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 after rushing for over 1,900 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns during his junior season. He became the first Ohio State running back to earn the award since Archie Griffin's back-to-back wins in the 1970s. George's performance was instrumental in Ohio State's Big Ten Championship that year.
What is the nickname of the annual football rivalry game between Ohio State and the University of Michigan?
The Game
The Rivalry
The Showdown
The Classic
The annual football matchup between Ohio State and Michigan is simply known as 'The Game'. First played in 1897, this rivalry is one of the most storied in college football history. It often has significant implications for conference and national championships.
Which coach led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2014 season?
Luke Fickell
Urban Meyer
Ryan Day
Jim Tressel
Urban Meyer became Ohio State's head coach in 2012 and led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2014 season. Meyer finished his OSU coaching career with an 83 - 9 record before retiring in early 2019. His tenure is remembered for high-powered offenses and consistent title contention.
Who holds the record as Ohio State's all-time leading rusher?
Archie Griffin
Ezekiel Elliott
Eddie George
Jonathan Taylor
Archie Griffin is Ohio State's all-time leading rusher, amassing 5,589 yards from 1972 to 1975. He was the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in NCAA history, highlighting his consistent excellence on the field. Griffin's record still stands despite many modern running backs coming through Columbus.
Which athletic conference is Ohio State University a member of?
ACC
Big Ten Conference
SEC
Big 12
Ohio State University is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, which it joined in 1896. The Big Ten is one of the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. OSU has won numerous conference titles across multiple sports since joining.
Who caught the famous 'Holy Buckeye' touchdown pass against Purdue in 2002?
David Boston
Santonio Holmes
Chris Gamble
Michael Jenkins
The 'Holy Buckeye' refers to a critical fourth-down 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Craig Krenzel to Michael Jenkins against Purdue in 2002. The play preserved Ohio State's unbeaten regular season and was pivotal en route to the national championship. It remains one of the most famous plays in Buckeye football history.
Which Ohio State defensive end was selected second overall in the 2016 NFL Draft?
Cameron Heyward
Vernon Gholston
Joey Bosa
Nick Bosa
Joey Bosa was selected second overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2016 NFL Draft after a standout career at Ohio State. During his time at OSU, Bosa earned multiple All-American honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. His college success translated quickly to the professional level.
Which Ohio State player is the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner?
Eddie George
Archie Griffin
Troy Smith
Les Horvath
Archie Griffin is the only player in NCAA history to win the Heisman Trophy twice, in 1974 and 1975. His back-to-back awards highlight his outstanding performance at Ohio State University. No other collegiate athlete has matched this accomplishment.
Who was the first Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy, in 1944?
Archie Griffin
Eddie George
Troy Smith
Les Horvath
Les Horvath was Ohio State's first Heisman Trophy winner in 1944, recognized for his versatile play as a quarterback and halfback. His performance helped OSU to a 9 - 0 season and national championship that year. Horvath remains a legendary figure in Buckeye football history.
In which bowl game did Ohio State secure the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship?
2014 Fiesta Bowl
2015 Rose Bowl
2015 Orange Bowl
2015 Sugar Bowl
Ohio State clinched the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship by defeating Oregon in the 2015 Sugar Bowl with a score of 42 - 20. The victory marked OSU's eighth national championship and capped the season with a perfect record. The game featured standout performances by quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Who served as Ohio State's offensive coordinator during the 2014 championship season?
Ed Warinner
Tom Herman
Ryan Day
Kevin Wilson
Tom Herman served as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2014 season, helping to develop the offense that won the national title. After leaving OSU, he became head coach at the University of Houston and later at the University of Texas. Herman is known for his innovative offensive schemes.
Who was the starting quarterback for Ohio State's 2002 national championship team?
Justin Zwick
Craig Krenzel
Maurice Clarett
Bruce Gradkowski
Craig Krenzel was the starting quarterback for Ohio State's 2002 national championship team, guiding the Buckeyes to a perfect 14 - 0 record. His leadership in the backfield was key to OSU's victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, securing the national title. Krenzel's clutch performances are remembered by Buckeye fans.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Legendary Buckeye Players -

    Remember key athletes from Ohio State's storied history, including Hall of Famers and fan favorites.

  2. Identify Iconic Game Moments -

    Spotlight pivotal plays and matchups that defined major wins in OSU football trivia.

  3. Analyze Ohio State Football Milestones -

    Examine championship seasons and record-setting performances that shaped the Columbus Ohio football legacy.

  4. Understand Buckeye Trivia Strategies -

    Learn how to approach fact-based questions and leverage memory aids to boost your quiz performance.

  5. Apply Quiz Skills Effectively -

    Use scoring tactics and time management tips to maximize accuracy in the Ohio State trivia quiz.

  6. Demonstrate Your Buckeye IQ -

    Show off your comprehensive OSU football trivia knowledge and challenge fellow fans to beat your score.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Legendary Head Coaches -

    Get to know the legacy of Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel from OSUathletics.com, noting how Hayes' "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy shaped Ohio State offense. Use the mnemonic "run before you pass" to lock in Hayes' ground-and-pound style. Tressel's 2002 National Championship defense offers prime examples for osu football trivia enthusiasts.

  2. The Game Rivalry -

    Brush up on "The Game" against Michigan, first played in 1897 as recorded by the Bentley Historical Library. A catchy mnemonic is "'97 or bust" to recall the inaugural matchup. Remembering key upsets and streaks in this rivalry boosts your buckeye trivia cred.

  3. Ohio Stadium Facts -

    Know that "The Horseshoe" seats over 102,000 fans - OSU's facilities department lists it among the largest in college football. Think "H2O" (Horseshoe + 2 zeros) to nail down the 102k capacity. This stat is a go-to fact for any ohio state trivia showdown.

  4. Heisman Trophy Winners -

    Memorize OSU's Heisman winners: Archie Griffin (1974, 1975), Eddie George (1995) and Troy Smith (2006), as confirmed by Heisman.com. The acronym "GGT" (Griffin, George, Troy) helps you name all three in a flash. These award years are frequent hits in buckeye trivia quizzes.

  5. National Championships -

    Recognize Ohio State's eight claimed National Championships, spanning from 1942 to 2014, according to NCAA records. Use "8 Buckeyes in bronze" to remember the total count. Having this on hand is crucial for acing any ohio state football quiz.

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