On The Mark 1.13.15: #Buckeyes #NationalChampionship Recap

UNDISPUTED CHAMPS!  Ohio State Handles Oregon 42-20 To Win The First CFB Championship
By @MarkW2112

The Ohio State Buckeyes, lead once again by third string quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliot, defeated the Oregon Ducks 42-20 to win the first ever College Football Championship.  It was an extraordinary end to an extraordinary season in which the Buckeyes went through 2 young quarterbacks after Braxton Miller had his season end before it began with a shoulder injury.  It was also extraordinary as to the fact that this team had been told that they were too young and year away.  None of that mattered as the Buckeyes dominated the ball game.

It didn't start out that way as the Ducks struck first with a 2:39 touchdown drive lead by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and then a 3 and out for the Bucks.  After the Ducks went 3 and out and pinned the Buckeyes on their own 3 yard line, Jones (242 passing yards, 38 rushing) led the team down the field and ended on a spectacular touchdown run by Elliot to tie it up.

The only downside to the game were 4 turnovers by the Buckeyes on offense.  3 fumbles and an interception off of Jalin Marshall's arms could have doomed the Bucks.  The Ducks got as close as 21-20 in the third quarter after a fumble by Jones led to another Ducks field goal.  With the preceding drive, Jones and Elliot once again led the team down field for a game defining touchdown to make it 28-20 to end the third quarter.  From there, the Buckeyes defense was able to stop the Ducks and the Buckeyes scored once again making it 35-20.  One more touchdown at the end of the game Elliot gave him 4 for the game to go along with 246 yards rushing which made him the undisputed Offensive MVP.  And while Tyvis Powell won defensive MVP, it really belonged to the entire defense.  The rotations that Luke Fickell and Chris Ash came up with were excellent and enough to keep the players fresh.  They proved to be too tough for the Ducks offense to handle.

My take: The Ohio State Buckeyes came in to the season as underdogs and proved every national media member wrong.  Urban Meyer had this team prepared and while the start of the season didn't look promising, he helped led them to the promise land and become National champions.  The entire Buckeyes coaching staff deserves a ton of credit for preparing their players to be the very best.  And while Oregon was a worthy opponent, they were no match for the aggressiveness both on offense and defense.  Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliot were able to plow through the Ducks defense when they needed to that extra yard or 2.  And while Mariota was able to make some big plays with his arm, the Bucks defensive line was able to keep him pressured almost the whole game.  It was a thing of beauty, a national championship won by a team that proved to the world they were the true #1 team in the nation.

Offensive player(s) of the game: Ezekiel Elliot and Cardale Jones once again were outstanding.  Elliot will definitely be a Heisman candidate next season.  Jones may decide to perhaps go pro.

Defensive player(s) of the game: the entire defense.  They all worked together as one unit to keep Marcus Mariota and his offense mostly at bay. 

Play of the game: the Buckeyes defense keeping the Ducks out of the end zone at the goal line.

So this is it.  The end of the 2014 season.  And what a season for The Ohio State Buckeyes!  Congratulations to them on their National Championship!   And the scary thing is most of this team will be back for next season.  They should be fun to watch once again.