Indiana Turns Back Ohio State for First Time in 31 Meetings

Despite the rain pounding down at Ohio Stadium, the sky was shining for Indiana. And the downpour only seemed appropriate for Ohio State.

Indiana, which had not beaten an Ohio State football team in its last 31 tries, shocked the No. 9 Buckeyes, 31-10, Saturday.

“I’ve known about Ohio State football since I was a freshman here in 1949,” Buckeye Coach Earle Bruce said. “This is the darkest day in Ohio State football since I have been associated with it.”

Indiana Coach Bill Mallory, who was an assistant coach along with Bruce under the late Woody Hayes, knows a little about Ohio State’s tradition as well.

“You tell Earle I’ve had a couple of dark days, too, and I don’t want to hear that,” Mallory said with a laugh.

“We didn’t come in here to lose, and this is a great confidence builder,” Mallory said. “Now the people will understand that Indiana plays some great football.”

The Hoosiers needed the 200 yards and 2 touchdowns on passes by Dave Schnell, the 126 yards rushing and 1 touchdown by tailback Anthony Thompson and strong performance by its defense to finally break the Buckeye jinx.

Schnell completed 15 of 23 passes, and Thompson had 34 carries.

Indiana outgained Ohio State, 405-264, as the Hoosiers rushed for 205 yards. Ohio State ran for 132 yards and passed for 132 more.

Indiana, 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, had not beaten an Ohio State team since Oct. 20, 1951. Ohio State (3-1-1, 1-1) had won the last 23 meetings since a scoreless tie in 1959 and had won the seven games preceding that for a 30-0-1 record in the last 31 games.

Ohio State, which had played through offensive difficulties in its first four games, was able to muster only 10 rushing yards in the second half and did not get a first down in the third quarter.

“You saw an Ohio State football team that in the second half got the devil knocked out of them,” Bruce said. “Indiana did whatever they wanted to on offense and defense in the second half. I give all the credit to Indiana--they were well prepared and everything they tried was successful.”

Mallory said: “All week long we harped on soundness. We wanted the kids to get into it and be on top of it all the way. . . . I think our older kids knew if we came in and made mistakes we would have no chance.”

Indiana had no turnovers. Ohio State finished with three, including two on interceptions by Brian Dewitz.

“I’m very upset,” Ohio State tailback James Bryant said. “In this tradition at Ohio State, Indiana doesn’t beat you.”