Carroll Widdoes guided Ohio State to a 9–0 record in 1944, his first season as head coach. In early 1945, Paul Brown announced his intentions to coach the Cleveland Browns once he fulfilled his military obligation. Widdoes, the Coach of the Year, was left in a job he didn’t want. Widdoes was having second thoughts about being Ohio State’s head coach. He loved the players and the game but did not enjoy the publicity and speaking engagements. However, he did like that the Buckeyes had familiar faces returning. Halfbacks Dick Fisher and Paul Sarringhaus; quarterback, Robin Priday; and end, Don Steinberg were back following stints in the military. Fisher played in 1941 and the others were on the 1942 championship team. Sarringhaus was also an All-American that season. The 1945 Buckeyes Record 7–2 B1G Record 5–2, 3rd Coach Carroll Widdoes (2nd year, 16–2) Captain Bill Hackett Games of Note October 6th • Iowa • Ohio Stadium In the season opener, Sarringhaus scored four touchdowns in Ohio State’s 47-6 victory over Missouri. It marked the fourth time the Buckeyes beat the Tigers in the first game of the season. In week two, the Buckeyes hosted Iowa, a team that failed to score on them since 1934. Iowa had not defeated the Buckeyes in 27 years, though those facts are a little misleading because 1945 was only the fifth matchup between the schools since 1928. Ohio State started slow and led 7-0 at halftime. Iowa’s defense ha found success by loading the box with eight…
Continue Reading: 100 Teams In 100 Days: Carroll Widdoes Leaves the Spotlight Following 1945 Season
