February 15, 2025

Rex Kern and Cornelius Green, two iconic quarterbacks in Ohio State football history, played pivotal roles in transforming Woody Hayes’ approach to the game. While Hayes was known for his commitment to the ground game, relying on the “three yards and a cloud of dust” philosophy, Kern and Green were two players who demonstrated the power and potential of the forward pass and the option offense. These two quarterbacks helped evolve the Ohio State offense, and by doing so, influenced the broader landscape of college football in ways that would echo long after their careers ended.

### **Rex Kern: The Innovator of the Passing Game**

Rex Kern played for Ohio State from 1968 to 1970, during one of the most iconic stretches in the program’s history. Although Woody Hayes was a firm believer in a power running attack, Kern’s talents as a quarterback brought a new dimension to the offense. Kern’s best years came during the late 1960s, a time when Ohio State was transitioning from its traditional ground-based offense to something a bit more multifaceted.

Kern was a versatile player, equally capable as a passer and a runner, and this balance allowed him to be effective in various situations. Despite Hayes’ preference for the run game, Kern’s success showed that passing could be a dangerous weapon. Kern was part of the 1968 team that won a national championship, and he demonstrated an uncanny ability to read defenses and make accurate throws. The success of Kern and the passing game in this era encouraged Woody Hayes to loosen his stance on passing and to integrate it more into Ohio State’s offensive game plan.

Though Hayes never fully embraced the passing game, Kern’s impact was undeniable. Kern wasn’t just a product of Ohio State’s traditional running attack; he became the architect of a more dynamic offense. His ability to mix the run and pass opened the door for future quarterbacks to play a more significant role in the offense without needing to solely rely on a bruising running back corps.

### **Cornelius Green: The Dual-Threat Quarterback and the Option Play**

Cornelius Green followed in Rex Kern’s footsteps as Ohio State’s quarterback from 1973 to 1975, but he also played a crucial role in further expanding the Buckeyes’ offensive playbook. Green, like Kern, was a dual-threat quarterback capable of both passing and running. However, what made Green’s contribution so significant was his effectiveness in running the option offense, a scheme that added another dimension to the team’s attack.

Green helped Woody Hayes realize that the option could be a devastating weapon when executed properly. With Green at the helm, Ohio State was able to stretch defenses horizontally, creating mismatches that had not been seen in Hayes’ earlier teams. The option attack, which requires the quarterback to make quick decisions based on the defense’s movement, was an ideal fit for Green’s athleticism and football IQ. His ability to read defenders and make quick decisions made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the nation during his time.

In the mid-1970s, the introduction of the option offense not only brought success to Ohio State but also started to change how other teams viewed the quarterback position. Green’s ability to run the option with efficiency forced defenses to respect the quarterback as a dual threat—something that would continue to evolve in college football. Woody Hayes, who was initially reluctant to embrace the forward pass, began to see the value of a quarterback who could both run and throw the ball with success. While Hayes never fully departed from his run-first philosophy, Green’s effectiveness with the option became another strategic asset for Ohio State that would influence future teams.

### **The Legacy of Kern and Green: A New Era for Ohio State Football**

Both Rex Kern and Cornelius Green left lasting legacies that extended beyond their time on the field. They didn’t just help bring championships and victories to Ohio State, but they played significant roles in changing the way Woody Hayes thought about the quarterback position. By the time Green finished his career, Woody Hayes had become more accepting of the pass and the option game, and Ohio State’s offense had evolved into something more balanced, dynamic, and difficult to defend.

Kern and Green also helped set the stage for future quarterbacks in Ohio State’s storied history, such as Art Schlichter, who would go on to have an impressive career in the late 1970s and early 1980s, further embracing the forward pass while maintaining the strong running game that Hayes had built his reputation on. The balance between the run and pass, as demonstrated by Kern and Green, became a key factor in Ohio State’s continued success.

### **Conclusion**

In hindsight, Rex Kern and Cornelius Green’s influence on Ohio State football was far-reaching, not just in terms of their individual performances but also in how they changed the course of the program. By introducing the passing game and the option play into Ohio State’s offense, they helped broaden Woody Hayes’ strategic vision. For fans lucky enough to witness their play, these two quarterbacks represented a new breed of athletes who could thrive in both the air and on the ground. While “three yards and a cloud of dust” remained a staple, Kern and Green showed that there was more to the game, making them two of the most important figures in the history of Ohio State football.

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