Ohio State: Elliott’s Record Game Led To A Fiesta Bowl Win
By Joe Russo
The Win By The Numbers
4: Ezekiel Elliott rushing touchdowns, the most ever in a Buckeye bowl game and in a Fiesta Bowl
21: Rushing yards for DeShone Kizer, who had gained some momentum at the end of the first half both running and throwing. Those 21 yards came on 15 attempts with his longest run going for 14, so the Buckeyes were able to contain the dual threat quarterback for most of the game. This was a key factor in limiting the Notre Dame attack, as Kizer has been all over the field in the games leading up to the Fiesta Bowl.
0: The number of made field goals by kicker Sean Nuernberger before the Fiesta Bowl this season. He ended up making three in the 4th quarter alone to extend the Buckeye lead.
85: The number of plays ran by the Ohio State offense, with 31 passing attempts and 54 rushing attempts. That speaks volumes to the tempo the Buckeyes played at, but also their ability to do pretty much whatever they wanted to an overmatched Notre Dame defense. You do not run that many plays without being efficient and successful in your game plan.
405: Total yards by Notre Dame in a game that they lost by 16 points. For comparison, Ohio State totaled 496 yards. In a slight statistical fluke, Notre Dame just couldn’t punch it into the end zone enough. When you gain that much yardage against Ohio State, you have to get points on the board.
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The Fighting Irish did not and they go back to South Bend losers.