By Darin Christmas season football is often dramatic, but the 1978 Gator Bowl between No. 7 Clemson and No. 20 Ohio State delivered a finale so shocking it remains one of the most infamous moments in sports history. While the game itself, played on December 29, 1978, was a fierce, low-scoring defensive battle, it was the explosive, unscripted moment on the sideline that ended an iconic coaching career.
The Buckeyes and the Tigers fought tooth and nail in Jacksonville, Florida. Ohio State struggled to find consistent offense, relying on kicker Vlade Janakievski’s five field goals to keep pace. Clemson, led by quarterback Steve Fuller, managed two crucial touchdowns and pulled ahead late. With the score sitting at 17-15 and only minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Ohio State was driving for a potential game-winning score.
Article from Dec 30, 1978 Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)
Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter’s last-ditch effort, however, was intercepted by Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman. Bauman made the pivotal pick, and his momentum carried him across the boundary near the Ohio State sideline. In a moment of pure, blinding rage, the highly emotional, 65-year-old Ohio State head coach, Woody Hayes, reacted violently to the turnover that sealed the loss.
Incensed, Hayes lunged at the opposing player, delivering a punch to Bauman’s neck. The shocking act was broadcast live, immediately overshadowing Clemson’s hard-fought victory.
Hayes’ legendary 28-year career at Ohio State—a tenure that included five national titles, 13 Big Ten championships, and 205 wins—came to an abrupt and controversial end. Despite his immense legacy and accomplishments, the university acted swiftly. Woody Hayes was fired the very next morning. The 1978 Gator Bowl remains a painful yet pivotal game, forever remembered not for Clemson’s 17-15 win, but for the stunning exit of a college football giant.
