Wes Fesler’s first season as Ohio State head coach was rough. His 2–6–1 record was the worst inaugural season in 50 years, leaving a large need for improvement in Year 2. One of the major downfalls to Ohio State’s 1947 season was the lack of scoring by its offense. Heading into his second season, Fesler and his staff put an emphasis on execution and protection of the football. The 1948 Buckeyes needed to show an uptick in offensive protection in order to have more success in marking games in the win column. The 1948 Buckeyes Record 6–3 B1G Record 3–3, 4th Coach Wes Fesler (2nd year, 8–9–1) Captain David Templeton Games of Note September 25th • Missouri • Ohio Stadium A crowd of 57,042 went to The Horseshoe to watch the Buckeyes take on sacrificial lamb, Missouri. In recent years, the lamb began to fight back before eventually losing. This wasn’t one of those years. Joe Whisler recorded Ohio State’s first touchdown of the season but injured himself on the play. His replacement, Curly Morrison, filled in admirably and rushed for 68 yards and a score. Ohio State’s offense racked up 349 yards in the 21-7 victory to remain undefeated against the Tigers. 1948 Schedule DATE OPPONENT LOCATION RESULT SEP. 25 MISSOURI OHIO STADIUM W, 21–7 OCT. 2 USC OHIO STADIUM W, 20–0 OCT. 9 IOWA OHIO STADIUM L, 7–14 OCT. 16 INDIANA MEMORIAL STADIUM W, 17–0 OCT. 23 WISCONSIN OHIO STADIUM W, 34–32 OCT. 30 #9 NORTHWESTERN DYCHE STADIUM L, 7–21 NOV. 6 PITTSBURGH OHIO STADIUM W, 41–0 NOV….
Continue Reading: 100 Teams in 100 Days: Fesler, Ohio State Improve in 1948, but Losses to Michigan Mount
