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Ohio State: Elliott’s Record Game Led To A Fiesta Bowl Win

By Joe Russo

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jarrett Grace (59) misses a tackle on Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during the first half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jarrett Grace (59) misses a tackle on Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during the first half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) celebrates with safety Tyvis Powell (23) after an interception in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Ohio State won 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

About The Buckeyes

This class ends their career with 50 wins, tying them with the Boise State class of 2011 for the most wins in FBS history. Some of those players were recruited by former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, but all of them have been molded and coached by head coach Urban Meyer.

The 50 wins speaks volumes of not just what Meyer was able to accomplish, but also what these players were able to persevere. They were led by an interim head coach (Luke Fickell), a postseason ban, and a magical title run. Those players kept focus and continued to get better.

Lets take a moment and acknowledge Elliott’s place in Buckeye history. He did not win a Heisman, but he did end up with a Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award and now ranks only behind Archie Griffin in every major rushing stat in Ohio State History. He fell just shy of breaking the 4,000 yard mark for his career.

The only reason for ‘Zeke to come back is to break records, which selfishly we want him to. But for a player that will not have a tree in Buckeye Grove, he is arguably the second best running back in the history of Ohio State football with Eddie George.

I am old enough to have names like Joe Montgomery, Michael Hall, Lydell Ross, and Jonathan Wells start at running back. It is much appreciated that I was able to not just watch Elliott, but cover him for this site and others.

We will speak plenty about what’s ahead for Ohio State, but for now we will only ask about what could have been. Hindsight being 20/20, this Ohio State team today could have beaten Michigan State and made the playoffs. This Ohio State team could have beaten Alabama on New Year’s Eve.

Unfortunately, this Ohio State team did not show up every week and did not figure that out until it was far too late. Could the reason be that they did not show up each week was because of their lofty expectations? Or could it have been due to former offensive coordinator Tom Herman leaving the program? I am sure we will dig into it, but it is hard not to think about how this team should have played like this all year.

Next: Fiesta Bowl Superlatives

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