Perhaps the biggest question on the minds of Ohio State Buckeye fans heading into the season opener has finally been answered.
Head coach Urban Meyer announced today he has handed the starting quarterback job to redshirt junior Cardale Jones leading up to the team’s first game of the year at Virginia Tech. Jones had been in competition with JT Barrett throughout preseason camp and both were aware a decision on the matter wouldn’t be made until right before week one. Braxton Miller was expected to be in the mix as well but revealed earlier in the summer he was moving to wide receiver/hybrid back for his senior season.
Jones was the embodiment of the “next man up” approach that defined the OSU quarterback situation last year. After Miller re-injured his shoulder in August and was forced to miss the entire season, in stepped Barrett. Though he struggled at first, he was able to eventually put together one of the most prolific seasons for a freshman quarterback in college football history before breaking his ankle against Michigan. After that, it was Jones turn to show what he could do.
And boy, did he not disappoint.
Making the first start of his career in the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin, Jones tossed three touchdown passes, all deep balls to Devin Smith, and finished with 257 yards passing in an emphatic 59-0 rout of the Badgers. The comprehensiveness of the victory was likely a deciding factor in the Buckeyes sneaking into the College Football Playoff as a four-seed.
He didn’t miss a a beat on the ever-increasing stage that was the CFP. Alabama’s vaunted defense was expected to be a different animal altogether in the Sugar Bowl semfinal. Nevertheless, the native of Cleveland showed the poise and calmness of an upperclassmen in throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown in the Buckeyes 42-35 win.
To top it off, he scored a touchdown through the air and on the ground in the decisive 42-20 win over Oregon in the championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, adding 242 yards passing. All in all, he would finish with 742 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions and average 16.13 yards per pass in his three starts. Though it could be said that running back Ezekiel Elliott’s ground and pound heroics played the bigger role throughout this three-game title run, Jones’ decision-making and accuracy as a passer was a crucial component in the Buckeyes first national title since 2002 and eighth overall.
Jones will be missing a few important targets in Monday’s clash in Blacksburg with the Hokies. Wide receivers Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Corey Smith are among four players (also including defensive end Joey Bosa) suspended for the game due to violating team rules. This should give Miller an added opportunity to get some valuable reps at his new position right off the bat.
It should be noted that no more than a year ago, Jones was the third quarterback on the depth chart. Now, he’s the clear cut leader of the offense. The onus is on him to repay the faith Meyer has shown in him by helping the Scarlet and Gray live up to the lofty expectations put upon this team in 2015.
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