The Buckeyes compiled an 11–1 record, including the 1980 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where they lost, 17–16, to the USC Trojans.

[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The longest pass in school history to date, an 86-yard bomb from Art Schlichter to Calvin Murray, helped propel Ohio State to a 45-29 win over Washington State.

The previous record was an 80-yard pass from Joe Sparma to Bob Klein in 1961 versus Michigan.

Ohio State clinched the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl with an 18-15 victory over their archrivals.

The Buckeyes had not beaten nor scored a touchdown against Michigan since 1975, the last time they had gone to Pasadena.