Ohio State headed to Nat’l Title after largest comeback since 1989!
Following Florida State University’s blow-out loss to the Oregon Ducks, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Alabama Roll Tide would end New Year’s Night, with their Sugar Bowl meeting. The first quarter saw Ohio State quickly moving down the field for an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 54-yard run from Ezekiel Elliott. A few possessions later, they would unfortunately see their first fumble of the game from Elliott, on their own 33.
With Bama in great field position, the Roll Tide quickly capitalized on a 25-yard touchdown run from Derrick Henry. On the next ensuing possession, the Buckeyes were held to just another FG on a lengthy drive, as Blake Sims would lead his team down the field quickly once again. However later on, senior wide-out, Evan Spencer would connect with Michael Thomas for a red zone flea flicker pass, inching Ohio State to only a one point deficit.
After an interception begin the second quarter, T.J. Yeldon would soon quickly increase the lead to 21-6, putting the Buckeye faithful on the edge of the seats. During the final the last two minutes and forty-seconds of the first half, the Ohio State Buckeyes would score back-to-back touchdowns, to give their fans a huge sigh of relief.
Alabama’s defense was definitely having a rare poor first half, as their opponents converted on all but one of their 3rd downs. With the Role Tide leading by only a point, both teams went to the locker room to figure out proper strategy, for potentially their last game of the season. Ohio State would continue their success from the first half with an opening touchdown, highlighted by a 47-yard pass to Devin Smith from Cardale Jones.
With the momentum obviously shifted to the Buckeyes, Steve Miller would return a 41-yard interception to give them a comfortable 13-point lead. Before the quarter completed, however, Blake Sims would finally end Ohio State’s 28 unanswered point run, to score their first points of the half on a 5-yard run. During the later stages of the fourth quarter, Ezekiel Elliott would show us why he was named MVP of the game, with an 85-yard touchdown run. Jones would connect with Michael Thomas for a two-point conversion, making it a two touchdown game.
The Roll Tide sidelines obviously impatient, with only 3 minutes and 24 seconds left, would answer immediately back with a 51-yard pass from Sims to DeAndrew White – leading to a Amari Cooper quick pass. Ohio State kept their composure and would finish off the game in a last second interception pass on a hail marry pass.
Now joining the Oregon Ducks for the January 12th National Championship Game in Arlington, this isn’t the match-up many viewers expected to see with Ohio State pulling off an upset. The inaugural year of the college football playoff, did however provide one of the most exciting nights of action we’ve seen quite some time.
How was that catch above made again? We’ll see more of those from Michael Thomas in two weeks!