Where it all started: May 3, 1890

Football programs used in the teams’ 1922 and 1932 matchups. The 1922 event was the opening game in Ohio Stadium, and 1932 signified the final meeting between Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio State.

Because football was a relatively new concept and a stadium had not been constructed at Ohio Wesleyan — and Selby Field would not be built until 1929 — the teams chose to play on a grassy plane along the west side of Henry Street bordered by the legendary sulphur spring and a small creek, known as Delaware Run. Ohio State’s team started the trek from Columbus to Delaware at daybreak, traveling north along the Olentangy River in horse-drawn wagons.

Many of the current landmarks on Ohio Wesleyan’s campus were not yet built at the time, but Elliott Hall and Merrick Hall — constructed in 1835 and 1873, respectively — overlooked the site of the game. A large crowd of spectators gathered along the hillside to watch the game, which was not supplemented by marching bands, cheerleaders, or any other entertainment. In fact, it took some convincing to allow women to watch the matchup, as the football was not considered “proper” in those days.

The game was played quite differently in 1890 than it is today, with teams consisting of approximately 11 to 13 players who wore no padding or helmets. The athletes battled through two, 30-minute halves during which the players had no timeouts. Players could only leave the game if carried off the field due to injury or exhaustion. Once stepping foot off the field, a player could not return to the game.

Even the shape of the ball was different in the early days, having a much rounder shape than the current oval, pointed ball to which we’ve grown accustomed. This made the running game especially important, as it was nearly impossible to throw an accurate pass with the bulky, rounded ball. Rather than punting the ball, players used a drop-kick method in which the ball was bounced on the ground and kicked down the field once it bounced back up. This tactic could move the ball approximately 30 to 35 yards at a time.

C. Rollins Jones, an 1892 Ohio Wesleyan alumnus, played against Ohio State in the legendary 1890 matchup. Despite being just 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing in at 151 pounds, he was considered a tremendous athlete, breaking four state records during a track meet his senior year. In addition to his shining athletic ability, it was Jones’ letter written in the 1940s which cemented in history the location of the original 1890 game. Filed in Ohio Wesleyan’s archives and rediscovered in 2007, that letter is the reason we are all celebrating on May, 3, 2008 — 118 years later.

Although not much is known about the actual play-by-play of that first game, Ohio State escaped with a victory of 20-14. The two teams faced each other 29 more times in the coming years — more than Ohio State has faced any other Ohio school in history — with Ohio Wesleyan winning two and tying one of those battles. Ohio Wesleyan was such a dear opponent to Ohio State, the Battling Bishops were invited to play in the opening game at Ohio Stadium in 1922. The teams last met in a football matchup in 1932.