Wow. What a game. Congratulations Buckeyes!
From the Columbus Dispatch.
Ohio State entered the Big Ten championship game last night having to win a two-pronged battle against Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes had to beat the favored Badgers, and quarterback Cardale Jones had to play well enough to show that Ohio State is worthy of consideration for one of the four spots in the inaugural College Football Playoff.
They couldn’t have done it any better.
Jones was nearly flawless and the Buckeyes’ defense overwhelmed Wisconsin 59-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium to give Urban Meyer his first Big Ten championship.
The Buckeyes (12-1) had waited a year to avenge their defeat in last year’s title game, and they had to overcome terrible adversity in the last week to do so.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett’s fractured ankle against Michigan caused the Buckeyes to turn to Jones for his starting debut, and then the team was stunned by the death of walk-on defensive tackle Kosta Karageorge.
Then there was the challenge of facing Wisconsin (10-3) with its Heisman Trophy candidate, running back Melvin Gordon, and its defense, which ranked second nationally.
But it was no contest. Jones, who was named the game’s most valuable player, showed no jitters and looked in complete command from the start. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, all to senior receiver Devin Smith.
“I was confident, but my teammates and coaches took my confidence to a whole other level that I’ve never felt before,” Jones said.
Ezekiel Elliott ran 20 times for 220 yards and two scores, including an 81-yard run up the middle on which he was untouched.
The defense was just as impressive. It was air-tight against Gordon. The junior, who entered the game averaging 188 yards and 8.0 per carry, was held to 76 yards in 26 carries. His longest gain against Ohio State was 13 yards.
……Now, the Buckeyes must wait until 12:30 this afternoon to learn their postseason fate. Alabama and Oregon are locks after winning their conference title games. Reigning national champion Florida State would seem to be after it again survived an upset bid, this time in the ACC title game.
I had my doubts about Ohio State’s chances in this game, given the fact that Braxton Miller is still recuperating from this ACL injury, J.T. Barrett just sustained a broken ankle, and Cardale Jones, the third string quarterback was thrust into the job of leading the team. Add to the mix, was the tragic death of defensive tackle Kosta Karageorge, and I thought they might eke out a win but it would be a struggle.
Hell, it turns out none of us had a damned thing to worry about. The Buckeye offense and defense were just unstoppable. Kudos to Urban Meyer and the entire Ohio State team!
The Best Damned Band in The Land:
Related articles: