Ohio U vs Ohio State is not a typical interstate rivalry. By any modern era football expectation, it is a one-sided rivalry. The direct comparison between these two schools is not directly relatable. Ohio State has had 40 conference championships and 9 national championships since 1904, while Ohio U boasts 4 conference championships and no national championships dating back to 1962. For the last quarter century, Ohio State has been a perennial national contender while Ohio U is a major player in the MAC conference but due to several factors it has not been a national title contender yet. The now famous Rufus vs Brutus fight is the biggest visual manifestation of this rift, but this rivalry goes way beyond football.
September 18, 2010, is a date that Ohio college football fans will not soon forget. Dubbed “the tackle heard round the world”. Just prior to the kickoff of that game as Brutus (Ohio State Buckeyes mascot) made his way through the marching band, Rufus (Ohio Bobcats mascot) ran in a sprint towards Brutus. Rufus launched himself at Brutus. Brutus did not exactly fall as intended, then stood over Rufus as if that was the end of it. Brutus with arms flexed towards the fans in the stands, slowed his gate as he made his way to the endzone. Unaware that Rufus was only slightly behind him attempting to get through the line of cheerleaders. Once Rufus was close enough, he landed the first punch to the head of Brutus almost immediately taking him down to his knees. Rufus did not release his headlock of Brutus for most of the ‘fight’. With Brutus head-locked and, on the turf, Rufus continued punching Brutus on the side of the head. Rufus got in three right-handed hooks to the head before Brutus attempted to get up. Still head-locked, Brutus attempted to escape to no avail. Rufus would get in approximately seven more rights before Brutus would get completely on his feet. At that point, the damage had been done, and all Brutus could do was throw his hands up as in frustrated defeat. Rufus would return a similar gesture throwing his arms up in victory. He then simply trotted away in celebration to the soundtrack of 100,000 Buckeye boos.
The attack by Brandon Henning (the former Rufus) brought swift administrative reaction from both universities. According to Ohio University Alumni Rick Morris and Christopher Galloway, Ohio University was “horrified” and in short order, looked to reprimand Henning. Only to discover, he wasn’t actually enrolled at the University. He did immediately lose his job as Rufus, but the University was in no position to levy any academic or administrative punishment beyond the firing. Ohio State protested the action administratively, but for the most part played a wait and see game. Opting to wait for the apology and banning of Henning from Ohio University. While they did not move to introduce anti-Mascot violence legislation (planting the flag at midfield reference), the action was universally admonished by Ohio State alumni and fans. In the time that followed, Ohio State has taken a somewhat reserved approach to the incident, often attempting to diminish the gravity of the moment. Ohio State is the king of the hill in the state of Ohio as it pertains to football, but Bobcat fans have never bent the knee to Columbus as it pertains to the larger battle for Ohio. Shrugging the incident off or big brothering Ohio University seems to be the play call of choice in the years that have followed. Another slight Ohio University alumni to this day do not take kindly to.
The 'fight' was merely a result of a longstanding dislike between these two institutions, due to the over 150 years of state related infighting. Most of the sentiment from the Ohio University side is over a century old. While the fight was only 15 years old, the sense of this rivalry is much older. Post Rufus vs Brutus, Ohio U decided to commemorate that 150+ year history with a concept still found today. “Dotting the I since 1804” and “the Original Ohio University” t-shirts. While Buckeye fans for the most part shrug off the transgression like little brother taking a cheap shot, Bobcat fans celebrate this moment as the manifestation of “we will not lie down for Columbus”.
This rivalry is more than football. Last year (2024), an Ohio representative introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act (House Bill 700) that would make it a fifth-degree felony for an opponent to plant their flag at Ohio Stadium. While that was in response to Michigan attempting to plant a flag at the Horseshoe, it speaks to a presumed entitlement by Ohio State within the state. A sentiment that Bobcat fans even today would likely lean into. Ohio State perceived the flag planting attempt as another team was mean to us so let's make it illegal to do so.
In another legal attempt to make it easier for the Buckeyes to ensure their own dominance the Ohio State University filed a lawsuit against the Ohio University that in any other context would be laughable. Ohio University and the city of Athens, definitely did not find it funny. In 1999, the Ohio State University attempted to sue Ohio University over the trademark of “Ohio” for entertainment and athletic marketing purposes. A truly bold lawsuit to file when we consider Ohio University was founded almost 70 years before Ohio State. Thus, the term, “The Original Ohio University”. Ohio State predictably did not win that trademark lawsuit.
These institutions of higher learning, conceptually don't seem to like each other. Ohio U is the big brother, while Ohio State is the little brother who grew to be faster, stronger and more successful athletically. In the all-time series, Ohio State has never lost but came really close in 2008. Heading into the 4th quarter of that game, Ohio University was as close to upsetting the college football juggernaut than it ever had before, leading Ohio State 14-12. This included the Bobcats' starting QB Theo Scott going down in the first quarter to injury. Boo Jackson, who did not expect to play took over under center. In the end, Ohio State would win a game that was closer than anyone would've imagined. Boo Jackson long after the game admitted they let this one slip away. No longer being winless against the Buckeyes would've been a program elevating win that fell short. OG Bryant Browning admitted in an article with NBC4i.com, that he "tells people, it was the quietest I've ever heard the 'Shoe, that day."
Despite Ohio State's athletic success, it does not and should not supersede the fact that Ohio University was the first college in the Western Reserve, the first university established west of the Appalachian mountains. A detail that cannot be undersold. Both universities have altered their mascot policies in response to this mascot-on-mascot violence. Suggesting that fans should not tune into Peacock at 7pm eastern this Saturday expecting to see any sort of continuation or retaliation. However, the statement made by Brandon Henning on behalf of the entire alumni and fanbase of The Harvard on Hocking lives on. The Buckeyes will undoubtedly be a significant favorite over the Bobcats by the time that kickoff takes place. One thing that may never change within this rivalry is knowing that every Bobcat fan will always have Rufus vs Brutus.
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