The Ohio State Buckeyes overcame injuries to their top 2 quarterbacks and a tough loss to Virginia Tech in week 2 en route to the national championship. The Buckeyes shut down Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks high-powered offense for a 42-20 win in the first ever college football playoff championship game.
OSU was led by running back Ezekiel Elliot, who ran for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. 3rd-string quarterback Cardale Jones threw for 242 yards and a touchdown, while running for another in his 3rd career start. Jones says he will return to the school next season, and expect the top 2 QB's, Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, to do the same.
The Buckeyes end the season at 14-1, ending with the 6th national championship in the school's history. It is their first national championship since the 2002 BCS championship. It is also head coach Urban Meyer's 3rd national title, his first with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes' timeline saw starting QB Miller go down in August, putting backup QB Barrett in the starting role to begin the season. That led to a 35-21 loss to VA Tech at home in September. Barrett then went down in the season finale in November against Michigan. 3rd-string QB Jones then led Ohio State to a 59-0 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, a 42-35 win over Alabama, and now the national championship over Oregon.
As for the Ducks, Mariota finished 24 of 37 for 333 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception on the last play of the game. He did leave the game in the 3rd quarter after getting hit late and landing on his shoulder, but returned just 1 play later. Many believe Mariota has played his final game as a Duck, expecting him to enter the NFL Draft.
Oregon went 2-for-12 on third down, including 2 dropped passes.
Elliot won the offensive MVP of the game, running a career-high 36 times, as his yards set a national title game record and a career high. Elliot had 696 yards in the previous 3 games for the Buckeyes. Ohio State faced adversity, heartbreak, and tough breaks all season long, but that did not stop them from raising the trophy under confetti to end the season.
OSU was led by running back Ezekiel Elliot, who ran for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. 3rd-string quarterback Cardale Jones threw for 242 yards and a touchdown, while running for another in his 3rd career start. Jones says he will return to the school next season, and expect the top 2 QB's, Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, to do the same.
The Buckeyes end the season at 14-1, ending with the 6th national championship in the school's history. It is their first national championship since the 2002 BCS championship. It is also head coach Urban Meyer's 3rd national title, his first with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes' timeline saw starting QB Miller go down in August, putting backup QB Barrett in the starting role to begin the season. That led to a 35-21 loss to VA Tech at home in September. Barrett then went down in the season finale in November against Michigan. 3rd-string QB Jones then led Ohio State to a 59-0 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, a 42-35 win over Alabama, and now the national championship over Oregon.
As for the Ducks, Mariota finished 24 of 37 for 333 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception on the last play of the game. He did leave the game in the 3rd quarter after getting hit late and landing on his shoulder, but returned just 1 play later. Many believe Mariota has played his final game as a Duck, expecting him to enter the NFL Draft.
Oregon went 2-for-12 on third down, including 2 dropped passes.
Elliot won the offensive MVP of the game, running a career-high 36 times, as his yards set a national title game record and a career high. Elliot had 696 yards in the previous 3 games for the Buckeyes. Ohio State faced adversity, heartbreak, and tough breaks all season long, but that did not stop them from raising the trophy under confetti to end the season.
