Ohio State Buckeyes Football: 5 Ugliest Wins of the Last 10 Years

A win is a win, but some look better than others. And although the Ohio State Buckeyes have looked great in several victories in recent years, they have also managed to look bad even in triumph.

OSU's 27-22 victory against Toledo on Saturday was one such game where the Buckeyes didn't look so hot. Miscues on both sides of the ball and questionable coaching decisions made for a lukewarm day even as the Buckeyes improved to a 2-0 record.

But Saturday's performance was certainly not the only "ugly" win for the Buckeyes in recent memory. Here are the five ugliest OSU wins of the past 10 seasons.

5. September 11, 2004 Marshall 21 Ohio State 24

OSU's 24-21 victory against MAC representative Marshall had plenty of fireworks, but also some low points for the rebuilding Buckeyes. The Buckeyes had lost 14 starters from 2003 and were rotating between third-year sophomores Justin Zwick and Troy Smith at quarterback. Zwick threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns on the day, but also heaved two interceptions.

The Buckeyes could only manage 79 rushing yards on the day and needed a dramatic 55-yard field goal from Mike Nugent to defeat what would be a 6-6 Marshall Team.

4. September 20, 2003 Bowling Green 17 Ohio State 24

The Buckeyes did not have many easy wins during the 2003 season, and their Week 4 matchup against Bowling Green was one of their most unpleasant victories.

OSU had defeated quarterback Phillip Rivers and the NC State Wolfpack the previous week, and started Scott McMullen in place of injured quarterback Craig Krenzel. McMullen only threw for 118 yards and the OSU defense almost blew a 24-7 fourth quarter lead.

The Buckeyes were saved by game-clinching interception from safety Will Allen and a dropped touchdown pass by BG tight end Craig Jarrett in the third quarter.

3. September 5, 2009 Navy 27 Ohio State 31

The Buckeyes opener against Navy in 2009 had a strange feel from the moment both teams ran out onto the Horseshoe field in unison, which was part of a tribute from former OSU coach Jim Tressel.

The sixth-ranked Buckeyes looked short on killer instinct that afternoon, and Tressel's admiration for the Navy program almost blew up in his face as the Midshipmen nearly came back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had an average day, throwing for 174 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Buckeye defense had no answer for Navy's triple option offense, which gained 342 yards and converted 8-of-12 third downs.

Linebacker Brian Rolle saved the day for the Buckeyes when he intercepted quarterback Ricky Dobbs' two-point attempt and ran it back for a score.

2. September 10, 2011 Toledo 22 Ohio State 27

The second game of the Luke Fickell era is one he hopes to forget after his Buckeyes were nearly upset by the Toledo Rockets. The OSU offense never found a rhythm against their MAC opponent and needed a defensive stand on the game's final series as the Rockets were nearing the Buckeye end zone.

Buckeye fans were baffled by the absence of freshman sensation Braxton Miller after several poor offensive series with Joe Bauserman at quarterback. Inconsistent special teams play also caused plenty of heartache for the Buckeyes, who had a punt blocked and missed a field goal but also scored a touchdown on a punt return by Chris Fields.

The contest against Toledo proved to be the kind of "trap" game that many had expected for the Buckeyes before they face the Miami Hurricanes in Sun Life Stadium.

1. September 6, 2003 San Diego State 13 Ohio State 16

The Buckeyes were 32-point favorites against San Diego State when they met in the second game of the 2003 season. But the defending national champion Buckeyes needed a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Will Allen to bail them out against the Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference.

The OSU offense had one of its worst performances in decades as they only gained 196 total yards and 10 first downs. Quarterback Craig Krenzel, who was 5-of-20 passing for 76 yards, could not lead the Buckeye offense into the endzone, and had to settle for three Mike Nugent Field Goals.