The Front Row

It will be remembered by Buckeye Football Historians as "one for the ages". The play in the 1954 Wisconsin game, ushered the Buckeyes on to an undefeated 10-0 season, the B10 Crown and the 1954 National Championship! What makes it special for me is that I was there to see it personally and first hand!
Let's set the scene...its October 23rd, 1954 and Wisconsin has come into the Horseshoe to play the homecoming game with the 4-0 Buckeyes. Its the game "of the week" in college football as Wisconsin is also 4-0 and has one of the most talented teams in America.
As a 15 year old kid, I had received a ticket for this great game and had squeezed into a "C" deck seat awaiting the conflict. As I remember it was a bueatiful Fall day, and perfect for football.
The records book show that over 400 press passes were issured that day to sportwriters and the game was being broadcast nationally.
Wisconsin brought to the stadium their All American FB Alan The Horse Ameche and their excellent QB Jim miller and the threat was very great that the Buckeyes could retain their un-defeated season.
The Wisconson Badgers took it to the Buckeyes in the first half, and lead 7-3 at the intermission, even though OSU had its chances to lead in the game and could not convert key plays.
Late in the 3rd quarter the Badgers were driving and appeared ready to score again as they marched to the Buckeye 20 yard line. The big stadium crowd grew resless at the scene. Even at my younger age, I felt that something had to happen, and soon to turn the Buckeye fortunes. It did! At this point Miller took to the air, throwing what appeared to be "late over the middle".
What happened next was like you see today in slow motion as Miller's pass was overthrown and right into the hands of Hopalong Cassidy. Back then it was the "one platoon system, and even All American backs were forced to play defense. Cassidy caught the ball at the 12 yard line and as I recall, he followed his blockers all the way past midfield and outran the Wisconsin defenders for the "pick-6 play", for the 88 yard TD. The crowd just went nuts!
It was apparant after that play that for some reason, Wisconsin's will was broken and the total momentum shifted to the Buckeye's side. As one book recalled, it was the first time anyone had scored on the Badgers in the 2nd half. The Buckeyes went on to score three more times in the 4th Quarter alwowing just one other Wisconsin score and ended up winning 31-14, to continue their championship season.
Ameche was held to just 42 yards in 16 carries, but went on to win the Heisman trophy that year.Hoppy finished 3rd, but won it in 1955.
Those who saw the Cassidy interception and return will always remember it. It still is called one of the most "historic" plays in the long storied Ohio State football history! Go Bucks!