Buckeye fans looking for action are now relegated to watching Ohio State highlights this offseason.
The offseason is always a time football fans want to speed right through. Unfortunately, there were very few spring practices in 2020 and there was no spring game. What little action fans have to cling to in the offseason is now gone.
So for those fans starved for football, here are 10 Ohio State highlights that defined the last season.
When a team sends two Heisman Trophy finalists to New York, they have a plethora of highlights to show. But for simplicity, the plays below were ones that either affected the outcome of the game or illustrated a larger story.
While there are far more than ten highlights from Ohio State’s 2019 campaign, these are ten of the most important. These are ten highlights that will carry us through until live football starts back up.
10 Ohio State Highlights That Defined the 2019 Season
Honorable mentions:
Chase Young field goal block vs. Cincinnati; Damon Arnette 97-yard touchdown return vs. Indiana; Master Teague 73-yard touchdown vs. Northwestern; Chris Olave onside kick recovery vs. Maryland.
Justin Fields 51-yard Touchdown vs. Florida Atlantic
There was a lot of uncertainty entering the season, and Justin Fields put it to rest on the first drive. Fields went on to gain a total of 295 yards and five touchdowns on the day. He only played in the first two quarters, and Ohio State won the game 45-21.
Jeffrey Okudah Interceptions vs. Nebraska
Jeffrey Okudah made it clear early on that he would be the best cornerback in the draft. Nebraska was the first opponent the Buckeyes played that could have presented a challenge. Instead, Okudah helped keep the Cornhuskers to only seven points on the night with these two interceptions.
Blake Haubeil 55-yard Field Goal vs. Northwestern
With only four seconds on the clock until halftime, Ryan Day could have been content to with a 25-point lead at the break. But he let Blake Haubeil attempt a 55-yard field goal, which would be a career long by six yards if he made it. Haubeil cleared the crossbar with room to spare, and his teammates celebrated as if he just scored a game-winning field goal. Ohio State went on to beat Northwestern, the same opponents they beat in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2018, by a score of 52-3.
J.K. Dobbins Stiff Arm vs. Wisconsin
Jonathan Taylor was heralded the best running back in the country early in the season. But when Wisconsin visited Columbus, J.K. Dobbins got the chance to display his skills head-to-head. Taylor only gained 2.1 yards per rush and was kept out of the endzone; Dobbins rushed for 8.2 yards a pop and two scores. That stiff arm helped Dobbins get 44 of his 162 yards that day, and set up his first touchdown. Ohio State won that game handily, 38-7.
Chase Young Sacks vs. Wisconsin
After filling in for Nick Bosa in 2018, Chase Young destroyed college football in 2019. Young’s best game came against Wisconsin, the best team Ohio State until the Fiesta Bowl. Against the toughest competition, Young collected four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Justin Hilliard Interception vs. Penn State
Other than The Team Up North, Penn State usually gives Ohio State the most competitive game of the year. The eleven point that separated the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions were the slimmest margin of victory for Ohio State all season. Justin Hilliard, a backup linebacker and special teams ace, ensured the two-score differential with a fourth-quarter interception. Ohio State defeated Penn State 28-17.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laU7K6X6tco
J.K. Dobbins Fumble vs. Michigan
Against Michigan, Dobbins touched the ball 33 times for 266 total yards and four touchdowns. The whole game is pretty much a Dobbins highlight reel. So why watch the fumble of all plays? Mostly because it’s funny.
Justin Fields Touchdown vs. Michigan
Fields passed for 302 yards and four touchdowns the beatdown of Michigan that is becoming a yearly tradition. His most impressive pass was a 30-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Garrett Wilson. Fields was injured on a sack earlier in the drive, and his first playoff the bench was this gem to Wilson. Ohio State won 56-27, rose to number one in the CFP rankings, and booked a spot in the Big Ten Championship.
Drue Christman First Down Completion vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game
After suffering an embarrassing loss in Week 8 to the Buckeyes, Wisconsin had a different energy in the rematch. Ohio State’s offense struggled in the first half, turning the ball over on downs and punting on the first two drives. On the third drive, Ohio State avoided going three-and-out thanks to this 21-yard pass from punter Drue Christman. While the Buckeyes later fumbled away the possession, the fake punt gave the offense the kick-start it needed to win the game 34-21.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_0gbV6WW6M
Jeremy Ruckert Touchdown Reception vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game
Ohio State trailed Wisconsin 21-7 coming out the locker room at halftime. Fields connected with Jeremy Ruckert for a 16-yard touchdown that turned the game around for the Buckeyes. That touchdown was the first score of a 27-0 run in the second half.
