Ohio State Buckeyes Football: 10 Best Bowl Victories in School History

The Ohio State Buckeyes' football program has appeared in 12 different bowls, including this year's TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. OSU leads the NCAA in most BCS games appearances (9), and they haven't missed the postseason since 1999.

OSU has a long list of tradition when it comes to bowl games, having played in 42 dating back to 1920. That said, it's not too difficult to decide which ones were the most memorable.

Here is a list of the 10 best bowl victories in school history.

10. 1982 Holiday Bowl: Ohio State Defeats BYU, 47-17

The score may turn you away when considering it as a "top 10" postseason win. However, the game was against future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young.

And it's not easy to beat Young, yet alone by 30 points.

Quarterback Mike Tomczak and running back Tim Spencer dominated the Cougars for much of the game. Young did throw two touchdown passes, but he struggled to keep up with Buckeyes.

He'd find better success at the next level, anyway.

9. 2006 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Notre Dame, 34-20

Brady Quinn's outstanding season would end in a bang—but not in his favor.

Future Heisman-winning quarterback Troy Smith and the Buckeyes offense combined for over 600 yards of total offense for the game. Ohio State would take a 21-7 lead at halftime and not look back.

Smith would end up winning MVP honors after throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns.

8. 1984 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Pittsburgh, 28-23

Highlights from the game

Quarterback Mike Tomzcak had a thing for clutch moments, and it showed in the Buckeyes' 28-23 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers in Sun Devil Stadium.

After converting a pivotal fourth-and-10 situation, he carried Ohio State to another, by connecting with Thad Jemison on a 39-yard pass for the game-winning touchdown with only 39 seconds left to go, after being down 23-21.

As you can see by the video, it was an exciting matchup that went down the wire; definitely worthy of this list.

7. 1999 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Texas A&M, 24-14

Highlights from the game

In John Cooper's last bowl game victory as a head coach, the Ohio State offensive juggernaut proved to be too much for the Texas A&M Aggies.

A&M's Dante Hall began the game by rushing nine yards for a touchdown, but the Buckeyes would score 24 unanswered points, all in the first half.

OSU quarterback Joe Germaine would hit Reggie Germany for a score, and a blocked punt returned 16 yards by Kevin Griffin sealed the deal for the Bucks.

6. 1950 Rose Bowl: Ohio State Defeats California, 17-14

Picture used courtesy of FanBase.com

It was Ohio State's first Rose Bowl victory as a football program, but it certainly wouldn't be its last.

Coach Wes Fesler led the Buckeyes to a 17-14 over the Golden Bears after a late field goal in the fourth quarter proved to be the deciding factor.

Legendary coach Woody Hayes would soon take over, but Fesler made his mark in history with this great win.

5. 2010 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Arkansas, 31-26

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Even though it ended up being vacated, the awe-inspiring win over Arkansas in last year's Sugar Bowl was nothing short of exhilarating.

The Buckeyes exploded in the first half to take a 28-7 lead, thanks to game MVP Terrelle Pryor. However, a few miscues led to Razorback field goals, and opposing quarterback Ryan Mallet powered his way onto the scoreboard.

It was then where Ben Buchanon had his punt blocked just minutes away from the game's end, with Ohio State's small lead holding on by a string.

Solomon Thomas followed this by intercepting Mallet in Buckeyes' territory, giving OSU its first-ever victory over an SEC opponent.

And although it may no longer be in the record books, it was still a game Ohio State fans will always remember.

4. 1955 Rose Bowl: Ohio State Defeats USC, 20-7

The 1955 Rose Bowl goes down in history as one of the best bowl victories in school history because it marked Ohio State's first national championship under Woody Hayes.

It also featured a prolific ground attack led by Hopalong Cassady and MVP Dave Leggett, who rushed for a combined 304 yards.

The Buckeyes brushed off an early punt return touchdown by the Trojans and controlled the pace of the game via run offense, never looking back and winning the program's second overall title.

3. 1958 Rose Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Oregon, 10-7

Highlights from the game

Woody Hayes' second national championship was well deserved, as OSU knocked off a strong Oregon Ducks team by a score of 10-7 in Pasadena.

A back-and-forth defensive game led to a 7-7 tie heading into the fourth quarter, before the Buckeyes kicked a 34-yard field goal to take the lead.

Ducks quarterback Jack Crabtree orchestrated what seemed to be a last-minute comeback, but could not capitalize at the end and Ohio State would win the game.

OSU received its third national title, and Oregon would not return to the Rose Bowl for 37 years.

2. 1997 Rose Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Arizona State, 20-17

Highlights of the game

Ohio State beat Arizona State 20-17 in Pasadena and notched its first Rose Bowl win in 23 years.

Jake Plummer's Sun Devils were shocked, after Joe Germaine found David Boston in the end zone with just 19 seconds left remaining in the game.

Plummer had both a passing and rushing touchdown, but neither were enough to come up with the victory.

Germaine threw for two scores and was given MVP honors following the heart-pounding finale.

1. 2003 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Defeats Miami, 31-24 (2OT)

If you didn't see this one coming, you need to see a doctor.

Ohio State went the distance during the regular season with its defense, and that's exactly what it emphasized in the title game.

Miami was considered a two-score favorite, having numerous NFL-ready prospects ready to jump to the next level the following April.

However, the experts got this one wrong.

The Huuricanes were scoring nearly 42 points per game prior to the Fiesta Bowl—then they met the Buckeyes. OSU forced Miami into uncomfortable situations, creating multiple turnovers and a so-so performance from All-American running back Willis McGahee (until he suffered his injury).

Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett scored two touchdowns, and quarterback Craig Krenzel added two quarterback-sneak TDs.

The controversial pass interference flag thrown by Terry Porter on a fourth-down play in overtime that would've won Miami the game is one of the most iconic plays in national championship history. It allowed the Buckeyes to continue their drive and eventually tie the game.

Ohio State would then rely on its defense in overtime, which prevailed. Ken Dorsey was pressured into making a bad pass by Cle Grant, and the game would end on an incompletion.

OSU won one of the most dramatic football games in the history of college football, and arguably the most exciting national championship ever.

It would also be the first team to finish a season 14-0.