1981 Media Guide: Art Schlichter may well be the best quarterback in Ohio State football history. His record of accomplishments with the Buckeyes is second to none.

Schlichter has started every game since entering Ohio State as a freshman in 1978. He has virtually rewritten the Ohio State record book for passing even though he still has a season to go. Art is a winner.

In high school his Miami Trace teams did not lose a game in which he started at quarterback and this covered three and one-half seasons.

He began his freshman year as a starting safety but moved to quarterback by mid-season.

At Miami Trace High, Schlichter completed 264 of 478 passes for 4,397 yards and 46 touchdowns. A dangerous runner as well, he rushed for 1,660 yards and scored 29 times.

Schlichter has been highly successful at Ohio State. In three years, Buckeye teams have compiled a 27-5-1 record during the regular season. An Ohio State has played in a bowl game each year.

Even though the Buckeyes lost each bowl game, Schlichter has been brilliant in defeat. As a freshman in 1978, Clemson edged the Buckeyes 17-15, but Schlichter completed 16 of 20 passes for 285 yards and scored both Ohio State touchdowns by rushing.

As a sophomore in 1979, Southern California came from behind with a fourth quarter drive to edge the Buckeyes 17-16. In this game, Schlichter passed for 297 yards, including a 67-yard scoring toss.

Last year against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Buckeyes led the Nittany Lions 19-10 at halftime, but eventually lost, 31-19. Again Schlichter had an outstanding game, completing 20 of 35 passes for 302 yards. He passed for all three Ohio State touchdowns.

In three years at Ohio State, Schlichter has completed 314 of 601 passes for 4,996 yards and 33 touchdowns. Each figure is a school record. Overall he has completed 52.2 percent of his passes and has averaged 138.8 yards passing per game.

In rushing, he has carried 433 times for 1,345 yards and has run for 29 touchdowns. His career total offense comes to 6,341 yards, also a school record.

Schlichter’s career at Ohio State began when Woody Hayes was coach. Woody frequently stated he believed, “Art Schlichter could become the best quarterback to play at Ohio State before he is through.”

Coach Earle Bruce has some perceptive remarks. “Art has all the basic ingredients for a great quarterback: size, speed, toughness, leadership qualities, courage, intelligence and great, great desire. He can throw deep with accuracy, has quick feet and can run the option. He can drop back, he can roll out and he can read defenses. And let me tell you this, Art Schlichter is a winner.”

The youngest in a family of three, Art lives on the family farm outside Bloomingburg, Ohio. He shrugs off his numerous individual honors and records throughout high school and college, but admits to being very pleased when his Ohio State teammates elected him captain on offense of the 1981 Buckeye team.