Football, 1968
The perfect season
Embedded Files
Above photo: Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
1968
was one of the most noteworthy years in American history. The Apollo 8 landing, student protests against the Vietnam War, and the chaotic scenes at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago dominated national news.
Something else was brewing in southeast Ohio that same year. Bill Hess headed into his 11th season as head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team.
With three MAC championships already to his name, Hess knew he could achieve even more.
The Bobcats looked to build on their MAC co-championship from the prior season. With 23 returning lettermen (15 of them starters), Hess and his team were determined not to share a seat at the table with anyone else at the end of the year this time.
It all led to an unforgettable year.
Right: An Ohio Bobcats logo from 1968. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Head Coach: Bill Hess
Head Coach: Bill Hess
Hess graduated from Ohio University in 1947 after serving in the Navy during World War II. He received a Silver Star for his efforts with an underwater demolition team during the invasion of Okinawa.
A native of Columbus, Hess gained coaching experience at the high school level at nearby Portsmouth and Grandview Heights. In 1951, he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes staff as an assistant under the direction of Woody Hayes.
Hess became the 22nd head coach of the Bobcats football program in January 1958. From there, the only direction he went was up.
Hess guided his alma mater to a College Division National Championship in 1960. Those Bobcats outscored their opponents by 235 points in an undefeated campaign.
Ohio made its first bowl appearance in 1962 with a trip to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, after going 8-2. Although Hess and the Bobcats fell to West Texas State by just one point (15-14), it was a sign of greater things to come.
Hess went into 1968 with a career record of 57 wins, 39 losses, and two draws.
One of those numbers was about to take a major leap.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Hess stands in front of a sign of recognition, 1973. His final season at Ohio was in 1977. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Hess poses with quarterback Cleve Bryant (left). They won the MAC Coach and Offensive Player of the Year awards, respectively, in 1968. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
1967: A Season to Build From
Ohio went into 1968 with plenty of reasons to believe.
The 1967 squad went 6-4 en route to its co-championship with Toledo. But that win-loss total did not entirely reflect The Bobcats’ record-shattering season.
Ohio broke 16 different records that year – starting with quarterback Cleve Bryant, a sophomore at the time. Bryant tallied more than 1,150 passing yards and threw for 265 yards in 23 attempts in a showdown with Kansas (a single-game record at the time).
He also threw for three touchdowns in a 48-14 thrashing of Marshall, a record for the most touchdowns thrown in a Mid-American Conference game by an Ohio player.
Bryant’s tremendous success was due in part to the efforts of Ohio’s top wideout, Todd Snyder. Also in his second year in ‘67, Snyder set records in total passes caught (33) and the most receiving net yards (629).
Cleve Bryant (above) and Todd Snyder (below). Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Key Players
Cleve Bryant: Quarterback
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Bryant co-captained the 1969 Bobcats alongside Steve Robinson (No. 65). Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Bryant made headlines right when he arrived in southeast Ohio. He set six different school records for passing during the Bobcats’ 1967 season:
Most passing yards (1,157)
Total offensive yards (1,581)
Passes attempted (180)
Passes completed (68)
265 total yards in one game (against Kansas)
Three touchdown passes in one conference game (against Marshall)
Bryant was responsible for 15 touchdowns in 1967 thanks to his execution in the “bootleg” offense – when the quarterback runs with the ball after appearing to have handed it off to a teammate. He collected 424 total rushing yards that year and proved to be a player who could dominate a game with either his arm or legs.
The Canton native threw for more than 1,500 more yards in 1968, his junior year. His 14 touchdowns earned him honors for that year’s MAC Player of the Year award.
Bryant was drafted by the NFL’s Denver Broncos in 1970. He returned to Athens in 1985 as head coach for the Bobcats, becoming just the third African American head football coach in NCAA Division I history.
The Bobcat alumnus spent four seasons at the helm before accepting coaching positions at Illinois and Texas. He was promoted to Texas’ Associate Athletics Director in 2000.
Bryant passed away Jan. 31, 2023, at the age of 75.
Right: Bryant poses as head football coach of the Bobcats, 1985.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Todd Snyder: Wide Receiver
A native of Athens, Snyder also put up tremendous performances throughout the 1968 season.
Snyder proved to be one of, if not the most prolific wide receivers up to that point in Ohio’s history. Coming off a season with 33 total catches, Snyder boosted that to 46 – accumulating
more than 700 yards.
He was named the Bobcats’ most valuable player at the team’s annual football banquet – capping off one of the most dominant seasons from the receiver position the school had ever seen.
Like his quarterback, Snyder also played a brief stint in the NFL. He suited up for the Atlanta Falcons from 1970-72.
Ken Carmon: Offensive Tackle
Standing 6’ 3” at 230 pounds, Carmon was a force to be reckoned with at the line of scrimmage.
His maneuverability, accompanied by a large frame, gave Ohio the upper hand in the trenches. Carmon was a senior in 1968 and one of the Bobcats’ most highly regarded athletes. Heading into the season, he had already earned consecutive placements on the All-MAC football team and the title of co-captain.
Carmon was one of the nine returning starters on Ohio’s offense.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Iconic Games from Ohio's 1968 Season
Sept. 21: Home Opener vs. Marshall
Win, 48-8 (Overall Record = 1-0)
The headline from The Post on Ohio's opening day victory (from Sept. 25, 1968). Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Supporters of the green and white could not have asked for a better start to the season. Bryant finished with nine completed passes, 71 rushing yards, and two touchdown passes (one to Todd Snyder).
The Bobcat who caught Bryant’s other touchdown pass was looking to make amends on that Saturday afternoon – fullback Bob “Hoss” Houmard.
Houmard, a senior, struggled during the prior season due to a knee injury. He came into ‘68 hoping to prove his worth on an incredibly talented roster.
He certainly did that.
Bob Houmard. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Along with his catch in the end zone, Houmard also scored three rushing touchdowns in the 40-point drubbing.
The fullback scored three touchdowns in each of Ohio’s next two games – both ending in victories.
Left: Cleve Bryant (#11) and his teammates on offense. From the Sept. 25, 1968, edition of The Post.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Oct. 19: "The Battle of the Bricks" vs. Miami
Win, 24-7 (Overall Record = 5-0)
“The picnic is over.”
That’s what Miami’s head coach, Bo Schembechler, remarked before a Saturday matinee with his team’s most hated rival.
Both squads entered the game with perfect conference records at 3-0, but it was Schembechler’s Miami team who were the top seed in the MAC standings at that time. And with good reason – as they had three different running backs who had each already gained 300 yards on the year. Adding to that firepower was the elite play of signal caller Kent Thompson, who like Cleve Bryant, could dismantle defenses with his passing and running abilities.
But Schembechler knew he and his unit were about to face their toughest test.
Schembechler's quote before Miami's clash with Ohio. From the Oct. 18, 1968, edition of The Post. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Miami came in with the No. 1 defense in the country...
Then they played Ohio.
The Post's headline from Oct. 21, 1968. Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
The Bobcat defense swarmed Thompson all afternoon long, snatching two interceptions and forcing three fumbles.
Miami’s potent ground game came to a halt that day as well, with only 102 rushing yards for the match.
Ohio’s all-around efforts propelled a commanding second half showing that ended in a final score of 24-7. It was the green and white’s first gridiron victory against their hated foes in four years.
The final whistle sounded. And the MAC had a new sheriff in town.
Nov. 9: MAC Clincher at Bowling Green
Win, 28-27 (Overall Record = 8-0)
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
A nail-biter on the road ... something Bill Hess, Cleve Bryant, and the ‘68 Bobcats didn’t face until a chilly day in November.
And they did it with a comeback for the ages.
A headline (above) and photograph (below) from Nov. 11, 1968, edition of The Post highlighting Ohio's victory.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Ohio found itself trailing 27-14 with a little over four minutes remaining in the game.
They only needed 29 seconds to turn the tide.
It started on the Bobcats’ own 20-yard line when Cleve Bryant conducted a 12-play drive that ended in a touchdown by Bob Houmard.
Ohio gained possession right away after securing the recovered kickoff, and then Bryant went back to work. This time he rode solo – off a busted play – and raced his way 48 yards to tie the game at 27.
He reflected on his breathtaking moment.
“It was [supposed to be] just a 12-yard hook pass,” he told The Post after the game. “But everyone was covered, so I just took off.”
Kicker Bill Pataki converted the extra point attempt with 3:50 remaining to give Ohio a one-point lead.
The Bobcats held on and snatched the hopes of the Falcon faithful, winning 28-27. Ohio officially secured back-to-back MAC titles. However this one felt a little sweeter than last year’s, as Bryant and company did not share the title with any other team this time around.
They had it all to themselves.
It was the first time since 1963 that the MAC had only one football champion at the end of the year.
Ohio’s eventual 10-0 record (6-0 MAC) landed them an all-time high No. 20 rank in the Associated Press poll and a trip to Orlando for the Tangerine Bowl. The Bobcats fell to Richmond University by a touchdown – the only blemish on a storied campaign.
Photo Gallery
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
The Bobcats’ championship season was not the only thing built in 1968. A new building dubbed the “Convocation Arena” also opened that same year. Now simply referred to as “The Convo,” this 13,000-seat arena remains one of the defining buildings on Ohio University’s campus.
This advertisement is from the 1968 football team's press book.
Construction of the Convo began in the fall of 1966.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
A step-by-step outline of the team’s travel plans for every road game during the 1968 campaign. The Bobcats played five road games that season (Kent St., William & Mary, W. Michigan, Bowling Green, and Cincinnati).
The Bobcat and Bobkitten mascots at a football game, 1968.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Ohio University President Vernon Alden (second from right) poses with Bill Hess (farthest left) and two players during an awards ceremony, 1968. The player on the far right is Ken Carmon.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Spectators in the stands at Peden Stadium, 1968.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
An aerial view of Peden Stadium and the O.U. campus during a football game, 1968.
Courtesy of Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries.
Making History
Photo by Conor Mallon (WOUB)
Photo by Conor Mallon (WOUB)
Led by Head Coach Tim Albin, the 2024 Ohio Bobcats became the university's first football program to win a conference championship since that storied 1968 season.
The 56-year wait culminated with a 38-3 drubbing against Miami in the MAC Championship game on Dec. 7.
Photos by Conor Mallon (WOUB)
Players celebrated with fans upon their arrival back to campus.
Photos by Conor Mallon (WOUB)
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