The History of Ohio State vs. HBCUs

The Tigers play at the FCS level and have won the Black College Football National Championship 15 times, good for the third-most. The SWAC and MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) face off in the Celebration Bowl yearly instead of participating in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoff with the rest of the FCS. The Celebration Bowl has served as the de facto Black College Football National Championship since 2015.

Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) made their own national championship due to how the early years of college football treated Black players and schools. HBCUs generally lacked the opportunity to face off against Primarily White Institutions (PWIs) due to segregation and this country’s general racism toward non-white people. Hence, they created and have since upheld their own Black College Football National Championship.

However, Grambling State will not be the first matchup for the Buckeyes against an HBCU; it’ll be the second.

Un-Rattled

The first instance of Ohio State vs. an HBCU came back on September 21, 2013. The Florida A&M Rattlers traveled up to Columbus for one of the program’s more forgettable games. Ohio State, with a backup quarterback, ran through Florida A&M like a hot knife through room-temperature butter en route to the single worst loss in the Rattlers’ history. As for the Buckeyes, it was the second-most lopsided victory in program history, only behind an 86-0 win over Oberlin in 1916.

Ohio State won, 76-0.

It all started on the Rattlers’ first possession. Ohio State forced a three-and-out and was rewarded by a 15-yard shank of a punt. Kenny Guiton, starting for the injured Braxton Miller, threw an interception in the endzone on his fourth attempt but was bailed out by a fumble. One play later, Jordan Hall, the one who forced the fumble, punched it in.

After another three-and-out, the Rattlers’ special teams woes continued thanks to a 65-yard punt return that was paid off with a touchdown pass from Guiton one play later. Florida A&M didn’t get its first first down until there were 5:30 to go in the first half.

As one would expect in an Ohio State vs HBCU matchup, it was about as ugly as it sounds. True freshman Ezekiel Elliott got his first carry as the Buckeyes were up 62-0. He led all players with 162 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

The Buckeyes outgained Florida A&M, 603-80. Guiton set the program record with six touchdown passes. A mark that has been tied eight times since.

When Grambling State comes to town on September 6, the Buckeyes will be fresh off a heavyweight bout with Texas. Will it be a bounce-back from a tough loss? Time will tell.