Cardale Jones started three games for Ohio State this season—a Big Ten championship game, a national semifinal, and a cruise control win over Oregon Monday to hand his school its eighth national championship, 42-20.
He’s come a long way from once-demoted third-stringer.
Oregon, led by Heisman winner and presumed top NFL draft pick Marcus Mariota, was perpetually stuck with long second- and third-downs while facing an inspired Buckeyes front. As short Ducks drives stubbed toes and Oregon yielded possession, Ohio State was able to eat up clock and relentlessly pound an already suspect Oregon defense (that came in ranked just 83rd nationally in yards allowed per game) by way of battering ram Ezekiel Elliott. He’d finish with an insurmountable 246 yards and 4 touchdowns.
https://vine.co/v/ODnu9pdqTxE
This fan enjoyed every minute of head coach Urban Meyer’s third career title.
LeBron James showed up in scarlet and grey and celebrated postgame.
.@KingJames embraces @OhioStAthletics QB Cardale Jones in celebration. #Buckeyes National Champions!!! pic.twitter.com/jyzENnrPdf
— Derek Reinglass (@DReinglass) January 13, 2015
The Empire State Building nodded the Buckeyes as well.
Congratulations to @OhioState! Our lights are in scarlet and grey for their #CFBChampionship win. #OREvsOSU pic.twitter.com/ssY2KSaeAa
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) January 13, 2015
Interestingly enough, under last year’s Bowl Championship Series system (wherein polls mix with computer algorithms to anoint a final game between No. 1 and No. 2), the final would have been undefeated Florida State against Alabama (winners of the perceived best conference). But after 100-plus years of politics, a college football season was at last decided with on-field results.
That is, if you choose to ignore the Condoleezza Rice-led selection committee that controversially lifted Ohio State into the final four over Baylor and Texas Christian University in the first place. Which, surely, everyone in Columbus, Ohio is right about now.
OSU students try storming Ohio Stadium, cops respond with pepper spray (pic: @ciscochavez33) http://t.co/m4Bzp6QWed pic.twitter.com/i7g04hf44P
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 13, 2015
Ohio State was 40-1 to win the national championship after losing to Virginia Tech… That bet paid off. pic.twitter.com/AQ0zlIA98o
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2015
Not good. Buckeyes run over cheerleader, cause missing 'O' during entrance. http://t.co/OXwp7vDtB1 pic.twitter.com/MttzA2q5uF
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) January 13, 2015
Ohio State wins its 1st title since 2002 #UOvsOSU pic.twitter.com/BoyEQJ3ftO
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 13, 2015
There are TCU fans at the game tonight, and they want winner. http://t.co/hYl2YUJM7e pic.twitter.com/OmQXCDmX5N
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 13, 2015
Screengrab via Ohio State Football/YouTube