OH-IO!!!!
From the Columbus Dispatch.
Say it slowly and let it sink in. It really happened. You aren’t dreaming.
The Ohio State Buckeyes, counted out so many times this season, are the kings of college football.
This resilient 2014 team, a combination of 1968 youth and 2002 grit, overcame four turnovers to roll over Oregon 42-20 in the championship game of the inaugural College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium last night.
Counted out after losing Braxton Miller before the season and falling to Virginia Tech in their second game, the Buckeyes (14-1) won their sixth national championship in school history in front of a mostly Ohio State crowd of 85,609.
The national title is the third for Urban Meyer, who won two at Florida and now has brought one to his home state.
“We finished the year a great team,” Meyer said. “To have four turnovers and still beat a team like that 42-20, incredible experience. I don’t want to get overdramatic, but it’s as improved a football team (as I’ve seen) — and I’ve watched for a long time – from Game 1 to Game 15. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Sophomore Ezekiel Elliott continued his stunning late-season run by weaving and powering for 246 yards and four touchdowns behind an offensive line that punished Oregon to earn MVP honors.
One-time third-string quarterback Cardale Jones was mostly flawless, throwing for 242 yards and a touchdown and repeatedly using his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame to bull for key first downs.
The defense, which many expected to wilt under the pressure of stopping Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota’s orchestration of Oregon’s turbo-paced offense, was stout after a bad start. The 20 points were the fewest the Ducks scored all season.
“We just had to settle down and adjust to their tempo,” co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. “You can’t simulate that in practice.”
Ohio State led 21-10 at halftime, but that lead was threatened when the turnover bug that began in the first half flared up again. Oregon (13-2) intercepted a pass that glanced off Jalin Marshall. On the next play, Mariota threw deep to Byron Marshall, who was wide open for a 70-yard touchdown.
Oregon looked poised to regain the lead when Jones fumbled while starting to throw under duress and lost the ball at the Buckeyes’ 23. Oregon got it to the 6 before Eli Apple prevented a touchdown catch by Evan Baylis by pushing the tight end out of the end zone before he could get his feet down. Oregon’s field goal made it 21-20.
That was as close as the Ducks would get as Elliott and the offensive line took over. The Buckeyes answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive with Elliott doing most of the heavy lifting, finally scoring on a 9-yard carry.
Ohio State made it 35-20 with just under 10 minutes left on a similar drive, and Ohio State’s defense prevented Mariota from providing any late magic.
“We knew that our O-line was bigger and more physical than their D-line,” Elliott said, “and we just had to punch them in the mouth. They played their butts off and they paved the way for me.”
Ohio State led 21-10 at halftime after 30 minutes in which both teams had reason to wonder what-if.
The Buckeyes didn’t even force Oregon into facing third down on the game’s opening possession, a 75-yard touchdown drive. But then the Ducks twice dropped third-down passes on their next possessions. On the second, Dwayne Stanford was alone behind the Buckeyes’ defense.
After a slow start, Ohio State’s offense started rolling. Elliott weaved for a 33-yard touchdown to cap a 97-yard drive to tie the score and set up Nick Vannett’s 1-yard scoring catch with a 17-yard thumping carry to put the Buckeyes ahead 14-7.
But it could have been a bigger margin. Two turnovers – a botched exchange between Jones and Elliott and a fumble by Corey Smith after a 50-yard reception – kept the Buckeyes from completely seizing control. The Smith fumble came after a goal-line stand by Ohio State’s defense.
The Buckeyes made it 21-7 with just under 5 minutes in the second quarter. Three plays after Devin Smith caught a 47-yard pass to the Oregon 5 on third-and-12, Jones scored on a sneak to make it 21-7.
Oregon would make it a game, but the Buckeyes did what they did all year – answer the challenge.
“We’ve been faced with adversity all year long, on the field and off the field,” tight end Jeff Heuerman said. “Those turnovers were just another example of adversity we had to overcome. It’s truly special. It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
What a way to make history. To win the National Championship in the first college playoff. It started out as a shaky first half, but they came out like gangbusters in the second. The entire team deserves credit but the stand out players; Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott should get the game ball. The defense came through when it was needed, especially during the play where Eli Apple pushed Evan Baylis out of the end zone in mid air before his feet could touch the turf for a touchdown. That was an incredible effort. I cannot say enough about this great team.
The Buckeyes were underdogs when they faced Michigan State. They won 49-37.
The Buckeyes were underdogs when they faced Wisconsin. They won 59-0.
The Buckeyes were underdogs when they faced #1 Alabama. The won 42-35.
The Buckeyes were underdogs when they beat Oregon 42-20 for the National Championship.
The Big Ten had some strong showings this year, indicating that the gap between them and the SEC powerhouses is closing. I’ve always maintained that in order for the Big 10 to gain credibility they will have to play and defeat SEC teams with consistency. The only way to settle the debate is to have more scheduled games between the major conferences and for Ohio State to prove they have the ability to play well and win consistently no matter the opponent.
This year they did.
GO BUCKEYES!!!!
Related posts:
Urban Meyer Returns to Ohio State
Ohio State Wallops Wisconsin 59-0 in Big Ten Championship
Ohio State Defeats Alabama for Shot at Championship Title
Ohio State’s national championships
1942 ASSOCIATED PRESS (MEDIA)
Record: 9-1 Coach: Paul Brown
1954 ASSOCIATED PRESS (MEDIA)
Record: 10-0 Coach: Woody Hayes
1957 UPI (COACHES)
Record: 9-1 Coach: Woody Hayes
1968 UNANIMOUS
Record: 10-0 Coach: Woody Hayes
2002 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Record: 14-0 Coach: Jim Tressel
2014 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
Record: 14-1 Coach: Urban Meyer