There’s a slew of big-time games over the last decade for a program like Ohio State. With all the high-stakes on the line seemingly every year for one of the best programs of all time, that means there’s plenty of memorable plays that define every year.
Take that out further, and you can rewind on the entire decade that just passed and remember where you were when certain moments took place that defined the period from 2000-2019. From the tail-end of the Jim Tressel era, to the year in purgatory under Luke Fickell, through the dominant run of Urban Meyer at the helm, to the ushering in of the Ryan Day tenure, there’s plays that will live on in the hearts of Buckeye fans, coaches, and players during this time.
Here’s our stab at the ten most memorable plays of the decade that just flashed by us as we now embark on a new ten-year period.
Next … No. 10
No. 10 – Braxton Miller to Devin Smith vs. Wisconsin (2011)
Not much went right in 2011. It was on the tails of the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal when Luke Fickell took over for Jim Tressel. Ohio State would finish with a .500 record in the regular season that year, losing the Gator Bowl against Florida to finish with a 6-7 overall record. But there’s one moment, and one game that sticks out above them all.
No. 15 Wisconsin and quarterback Russell Wilson waltzed into the ‘Shoe with Big Ten and national championship dreams on their minds. The Buckeyes had been a struggling outfit with not much to play for. But then some magic happened. OSU played with momentum and purpose at home, but still found itself needing a game-winning drive late in the game.
All seemed lost with about 30 seconds left when quarterback Braxton Miller scrambled to his right and unleashed an off-balance throw down the field that found wide-receiver Devin Smith open in the end zone just before the defender could get there. Ohio State stole the game for the bright spot in an otherwise unassuming season.
Next … No. 9
No. 9 – The Fiesta Bowl overturned fumble return for TD against Clemson (2019)
Sorry for bringing this up Buckeye fans, but not all memorable plays are ones that are pleasant. If this were a play that went the other way and paved the way for an Ohio State win — or even better — a national title, it would be higher up the list. Either way, everyone will be talking about it from now until eternity.
Clemson wrestled the momentum away from Ohio State after the Buckeyes jumped out to a 16-0 lead early to take the lead. In a game that went back-and-forth, OSU seemed to have recovered this fumble and returned it for a touchdown when Jeff Okudah stripped Justyn Ross. Jordan Fuller scooped it up and weaved his way to the end zone to go back on top. Or so it seemed.
Somehow, someway, the replay booth overturned what was called on the field despite no evidence to do so. A touchdown was taken off the board and that, a few other breaks, and missed opportunities doomed Ohio State. It lost a heartbreaker and left an otherwise fantastic season unfulfilled.
Next … No. 8
No. 8 – Braxton Miller in the “spin” cycle against Virginia Tech (2015)
The time former quarterback turned wide receiver Braxton Miller spun his way out of trouble in Blacksburg will forever be a favorite GIF of Buckeye fans everywhere.
Ohio State was coming off a national championship and were all set to get revenge on the one team that beat it in 2014 when it embarked on a trip to Virginia Tech. As the No. 1 ranked squad, the Buckeyes didn’t look spectacular, but more than took care of business on the road in a very hostile environment.
Cardale Jones won the starting job over J.T. Barrett and Miller who decided to move to wide receiver because of a shoulder injury. It’s a good thing he did. Everyone will remember the time Miller took an end-around, caught the edge and spun away from two Hokie defenders to leave a couple of jock-straps on the ground and race to the end zone.
Next … No. 7
No. 7 – J.T. Barrett to Marcus Baugh vs. Penn State
Though Ohio State’s chief rival will always be Michigan, the games against Penn State have been more competitive — and frankly — have meant more over the last decade. The game in 2017 was no different.
Penn State came into Columbus as the No. 2 ranked team and were on a roll behind running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorely. It quickly raced out to a 14-0 lead and led by as many as eighteen. But Ohio State stayed just within striking distance and began an improbable come-from-behind effort down 38-26 with just over five minutes left.
The capper was a 16-yard touchdown pass from J.T. Barrett to tight-end Marcus Baugh with just under two minutes left that completed the 39-38 win. Penn State fans are still salty to this day.
Next … No. 6
No. 6 – Ezekiel Elliott runs through the Oregon defense (2014)
Technically, this play occurred in 2015, but it was a momentum turning play against Oregon that was the catalyst for Ohio State taking control of the national title game against the Ducks at the end of the 2014 season.
Oregon had a high-powered offense behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Marioti and went straight down the field on the opening possession to take a 7-0 lead in Arlington. But any thought of OSU lying down was put to rest on Ezekiel Elliott’s 33-yard touchdown run that knotted things up before Ohio State went on to roll to a 42-20 win.
Next … No. 5
No. 5 – Tyvis Powell seals win over Michigan (2013)
It wasn’t supposed to be close, but the Michigan Wolverines rose to the occasion to give No. 3 Ohio State a game in the Big House. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner played the game of his life, gutting out a performance in which he played through injury to throw for 451 yards and four TDs.
With Michigan striking to pull within one-point with :32 seconds to play, head coach Brady Hoke elected to go for the win with a two-point conversion instead of playing for overtime. Gardner dropped back, locked in on a receiver and threw the interception to Tyvis Powell who had moved from the inside to step in front for a game-sealing interception.
The Michigan program is still looking for a win in The Game.
Next … No. 4
No. 4 – Michael Thomas’ Sugar Bowl toe-tap against Alabama (2014)
To win a national title in 2014, Ohio State had to get past big, bad Alabama in the Sugar Bowl first. While the Buckeyes were moving the ball against the Tide, some key turnovers and missed opportunities allowed ‘Bama to lead for the entire first half.
It was at the end of the first half that the Buckeyes grabbed momentum though. On 2nd and 10 from the thirteen-yard line, and 12 seconds remaining, Urban Meyer and the offensive coaching staff pulled the trigger on a trick play. Cardale Jones handed off to Jalin Marshall on an end-around, who then pitched the ball to Evan Spencer on a double-reverse. Only he didn’t keep running, instead throwing a pass to Michael Thomas on the edge of the endzone.
Thomas somehow caught a perfectly placed ball while twisting in the air and managed to get his foot just inside the sideline for a touchdown that pulled Ohio State to within one point just before the half.
Alabama couldn’t stop the OSU offense from there, and it was off to Big D for a spot in the national championship game.
Next … No. 3
No. 3 – The spot was good (2016)
It’s one of the few times over the last couple of decades when Michigan was the higher ranked, and favored team in The Game. A Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff spot was on the line in 2016, and the Wolverines’ defense dominated the middle part of the contest.
In the fourth quarter though, the Buckeyes began to get some offense going and were able to kick a field goal that sent Ohio State and Michigan into overtime for the first time ever.
Both teams scored on their first possession in OT, but Michigan had to settle for a field goal on its second. On fourth and one from the sixteen yard line, Urban Meyer decided to go for the first down rather than kick a game-tying field goal. J.T. Barrett kept the ball on a QB keeper and was hit right at the line-to-gain and fell back.
It was a close call, but Barrett was ruled to have gained the first down. It went to replay and nothing was there to overturn the spot. Michigan fans believe the OSU quarterback was short to this day, and Ohio State fans swear he got it. It’ll be that way until the end of time.
The next play was even more memorable…
Next … No. 2
No. 2 – Curtis Samuel “runs” it off against Michigan (2016)
Just after the controversial spot that gave Ohio State additional life (at least according to Michigan fans), it was time to try and add to Wolverine fans’ misery and win another OSU vs. Michigan matchup.
Curtis Samuel did just that when he took a handoff around the left end, found a seam in the Michigan run defense, and sprinted his way past the entire Wolverine secondary for the game-winning fifteen-yard score.
Bedlam ensued. Urban Meyer fell to the turf, and all of Ohio rejoiced. Urban Meyer still considers this his fondest memory of his entire coaching career.
Next … No. 1
No. 1 – Ezekiel Elliott runs through the “heart of the south” (2014)
Perhaps no play over the last decade of Ohio State football is shared or talked about more than when Ezekiel Elliott appeared to put the game on ice against Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. With the Buckeyes clinging to a 34-28 lead in the fourth quarter, Eliott took a handoff from Cardale Jones, cut inside the left side of the offensive line and found room on the interior. He then raced through the Crimson Tide defenders and outraced the SEC speed to the end zone for an 85-yard score to put OSU up by thirteen.
The Buckeyes would have to hold off a final drive by Alabama, and still had to win the following game against Oregon, but it felt like the magical play that made all the difference in the run to an improbable 2014 national championship run.
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