Ohio State gave up a fourth quarter touchdown in the season opener against TCU to finish in a 7-7 tie.  That result would be the only thing that kept Ohio State from perfection in 1961 as they'd rip eight straight wins to finish 9-1.  The last result, a 50-20 drubbing of archrival Michigan, was much closer than the final score indicates. The game was just a nine-point difference heading into the fourth quarter before Ohio State erupted for 29 points in the final stanza. Future All-American running back Bob Ferguson rushed for 152 yards and four scores in the 30-point win. After the game, Woody Hayes said his team played like National Champions and the football writers would agree.  The FWAA awarded Ohio State the 1961 National Championship, the school's fourth title and the third under Coach Hayes. This season also saw Bob Ferguson finish second in the Heisman balloting behind Syracuse's Ernie Davis, the first black college football star to take home the Heisman Trophy.

These extremely rare Gold Pants were awarded to a starting kicker and are heavily sought after for those trying to complete the run of Gold Pants from National Championship seasons. The recipient's initials have been blurred digitally to protect his identity.