There’s never a shortage of highlights and memorable plays during almost any Ohio State football season. There were a ton in 2019 as well, but with the Buckeyes blowing out most opponents, most of them didn’t result in as much exhilaration as years’ past. Nonetheless, they were still memorable.
We’re all in shut-down mode because of the COVID-19 health crisis, so what better time to reflect upon a mighty memorable season on the gridiron by Ohio State. One in which it proved a lot of doubters wrong and came within a whisker of playing for the national title.
Here’s a look at the top ten plays of the 2019 Ohio State football season. WARNING: Not all plays will make you feel warm and fuzzy. Memorable does not mean exuberant.
Next … No. 10 – Fields on the radar
No. 10 – Justin Fields introduces himself to Buckeye Nation
Everybody heard about the dual-threat ability of transfer quarterback Justin Fields, but Buckeye Nation had yet to really see his talents unleashed. It didn’t take long though in game one against Florida Atlantic. Fields took the snap early in the first quarter and went through the left side of the line and sprinted 51- yards for his first touchdown in a Buckeye uniform.
Next … No. 9 – Dobbins “shoeless” run
No. 9 – J.K. Dobbins has shoe removed in the Big House
This one is memorable not for the explosive nature of the play, but because of the bizarre moment that occurred after the play. J.K. Dobbins was having himself a day against TTUN, and apparently the way the Wolverines decided to slow him down was by untying and removing his shoe after a tackle. Yeah. Haven’t seen that one before. It did end up being a 15-yard penalty, so tack that one on.
Next … No. 8 – “Sky” Ruckert
No. 3 – Jeremy Ruckert skies for one-handed TD catch
Ohio State was struggling against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game, but got a big momentum boost with a leaping, one-handed grab in the back of the end zone to pull the Buckeyes to within one score. It was one of many plays that turned the momentum toward Ohio State’s third-straight Big Ten title.
Next … No. 7 – Fields sticks it to Michigan
No. 7 – Justin Fields shakes off injury to sink Michigan
Anyone that followed Justin Fileds throughout the year knows he was hobbled at the tail-end of the year, including against Michigan on the last Saturday in November.
During the flow of the game, Fields took a hit and appeared to re-aggravate the knee injury but he shook it off, came back into the game and threw a laser off his back-foot in the corner of the end zone. The score basically sealed yet another win over Michigan for Ohio State.
Next … No. 6 – Dru Chrisman flips the field
No. 6 – Dru Chrisman throws bullet on 4th down gamble
One thing that’s become abundantly clear is how aggressive the play-calling is from head coach Ryan Day. That was on full display against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Wisconsin came out swinging and had OSU down by fourteen. Day made a gutsy fake-punt call on 4th down, deep in its own territory. It paid off when punter Dru Chrisman threw a bullet for a 1st down.
Next … No. 5 – Dobbins opens the scoring in the Fiesta Bowl
No. 5 – Dobbins lets Clemson know Ohio State means business
Despite looking like the most complete team in the country, many picked Clemson to manhandle the Buckeyes. While many breaks and calls went against Ohio State in an eventual loss, Dobbins let the Tigers’ defense know it was going to be a long day with a 68-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.
Next … No. 4 – Chris Olave’s important TD catch in Glendale
No. 4 – Olave hauls in important 4th down conversion for TD against Clemson
In a back and forth affair, Ohio State faced a critical fourth down deep in Clemson territory in the Fiesta Bowl classic. It was getting into crunch time and Justin Fields threw a pass on-point to Chris Olave for a big, go-ahead 23-yard touchdown to regain the lead. What did we say about Ryan Day’s aggressive play-calling again?
Next … No. 3 – The Fiesta Bowl game-sinking INT
No. 3 – Fiesta Bowl INT to end things
Not all memorable plays are Buckeye bliss. It was all there for the taking. Clemson had regained the lead late in the 4th quarter, but Ohio State moved quickly down the field and was in prime position to pull out the Fiesta Bowl. On 2nd and seven from the Tigers’ 23-yard line, Olave broke off his route and Fields threw to the spot he was supposed to be. Clemson picked it off easily to end the dream.
Next … No. 2 – Targeting in the desert?
No. 2 – The momentum-changing targeting call in the desert
Yeah, we’re staying with plays from the Fiesta Bowl because there were so many memorable and momentum-changing calls. Ohio State was taking Clemson behind the woodshed and seemed to have gotten the Tigers’ offense off the field again when Shaun Wade blitzed and submarined Trevor Lawrence for a big sack.
Upon review though, Wade was called for targeting and ejected from the game. Clemson got new life and eventually scored a touchdown. On defense, it took a key, key player off the field. The game would never be the same.
Next … No. 1 – Strip, scoop, and controversy
Okay. Some of these most memorable at the end of this countdown aren’t exactly heartwarming stories. By far the most memorable play of the entire season was when Jeff Okudah stripped Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross. Jordan Fuller picked the ball up and weaved his way through the Tigers’ defense for a go-ahead touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
Somehow, someway, despite video evidence that would likely be enough to overturn a call on the field of no catch to a fumble, the call of fumble and touchdown made on the field was overturned to an incomplete pass. Many are still scratching their heads over this one, and it’ll be one of the most controversial Ohio State football play for a long, long time.
What do you think? What was memorable for you that we didn’t highlight here? Contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or our message board below to discuss.
