Written by Brett Korpi
INDIANAPOLIS, IN- In a game that was more entertaining then the final score indicated. No. 6 Ohio State (12-1, 9-1) made a statement to the College Football Playoff selection committee with their 45-24 Big Ten Championship victory over No. 21 Northwestern (8-5, 8-2).
“They have a tough decision to make. Because, we are a heck of a football team.” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said when asked to make a case for his team.
Buckeye quarterback Dwayne Haskins made another statement loud and clear; he is a Heisman Candidate. The red-shirt sophomore threw for a Big Ten Championship record 499 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning the Grange-Griffin MVP Award with that performance.
When Haskins was asked after the game if he belonged in the discussion for the Heisman trophy,, Meyer stepped in for his young QB, “He is without question a Heisman candidate.” Myer would go on to joke that he saved Haskins from fielding the question.
The tone was set early when the predominate Ohio State crowd rocked Lucas Oil Stadium as the Buckeyes marched downfield for a touchdown on the very first drive of the game.
Haskins, who was also the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, led the Ohio State march going 77 yards in 10 plays. Haskins capped it off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to WR Terry McLaurin just 4:29 into the game.
Northwestern seemingly had no answer on defense for the speed of Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to pick up chunk play after chunk play. However, the answer the Wildcats were able to find was Ohio State being their own worst enemy.
On the Buckeyes second drive of the game they picked up where they left off moving down field quickly. However, a costly penalty stifled their momentum and were forced to punt. The Wildcats feasted on the opportunity when John Moten found open field and sprinted his way to a 77-yard touchdown evening the score at seven, and leaving the both the Buckeye and Wildcat crowds in a state of shock from the unexpected big play.
Haskins, who finished the first half 18/22 for 249 yards, and 2 touchdowns led another drive downfield that went eight-plays for 65 yards. The red-shirt sophomore completed three passed for 50 yards. Running back J.K. Dobbins punctuated the drive with a 2-yard run through the gut of the NU defense giving the Buckeyes the lead back, 14-7.
After the Buckeyes and Wildcats traded punts to close out the first quarter the two teams traded interceptions. Ohio State DB Shaun Wade would pick of NU QB Clayton Thorson in the end-zone eliminating the scoring threat.
One of the few miscues Haskins made all game came in the responding drive, when he over threw his receiver and it ended up in the hands of Northwestern DB Montre Hartage.
The turnover bug continued on the next NU drive when Thorson was stripped-sacked by OSU end Chase young, one of three on the night for the sophomore.
The Buckeyes had to settle for a field goal on the responding drive when Blake Haubeil would clear 42-yards to increase the OSU lead to 17-7 with 6:09 remaining in the first half.
After a Northwestern punt the Buckeyes would get their mojo back going 78 yards in nine plays. Haskins would connect with McLaurin, who finished the night with 3 catches for 78 yards, for their second touchdown of the game increasing the Buckeye lead that they would take into halftime, 24-7.
At the half Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald must have lit a fire under the Wildcats, because the Thorson and the rest of the offense came out hot. The graduating senior led a quick five-play 70 yard drive down field in 1:37 seconds capped off by a 18-yard Thorson touchdown run.
The momentum shifted to the Wildcats defense when they were able to stop Haskins it a third down play sacking the quarterback and forcing a punt putting the ball back in the hands of Thorson.
Northwestern marched right down field and when everything seemed to be going right Thorson found a wide open Charlie Fessler for a 17 yard pass to the OSU 2-yard line. However, it appeared Fessler was stripped and the Buckeyes recovered the fumble. Luck was on the NU side however and the call was overturned. Two plays later Thorson connected with Cameron Green for the 2-yard touchdown cutting the Ohio State lead to 24-21 with 8:03 left in the third.
The luck would continue for the Wildcats on the next Ohio State drive when a bomb from Haskins to Victor Binjimin on third down would be overturned as an incomplete pass. However, after the ensuing punt, Thorson would give the ball right back to the Buckeyes when Damon Arnette would make an interception.
Thorson finished the game 27/44 passing with 267 yards and one passing and rushing touchdown. After the game the senior talked about the third quarter and how he will remember it.
“We scored a few and got right back in it and just fighting with my brothers.””
Fitzgerald talked about the effort his four year starter gave him and how he will be remembered. “He’s a guy who has battled through so much,. Outside of our locker room his probably one of the most under-appreciated guys in Big Ten history.”
With 1:21 remaining in the third quarter Haskins would once again extend the Buckeyes’ lead when he threw a beautiful pass to Chris Olave for a 29 yard touchdown making it 31-21.
In the fourth quarter the Wildcats would make it a one score game when Charlie Kuhbander would nail a 21 yard attempt making it 31-24 with 10:34 remaining,
But, the Buckeyes were not going to relent and Haskins would turn up the heat connecting with Johnnie Dixon for 63-yards a which set up a later 9-yard touchdown between the two making it 38-24.
After Thorson was unable to find an open receiver on a desperation fourth-down play, Haskins once again went down the field and connected with his backfield mate, Dobbins, for a 17-yard score giving the game it’s final, 45-24.
Aside from the show put on from Haskins the Buckeyes had several other players perform monumental feats. Dobbins, a sophomore, eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the second straight year becoming the first Buckeye ever to complete that feat in his first two years.
Dixon broke the 1,000 yard receiving barrier becoming one of four Buckeye receivers to complete that feat this season, joining McLaurin, K.J. Hill, and Parris Campbell.
After his MVP performance, Haskins went out of his way to thank his teammates, “How could I not say thank you to all of those guys in our group” It’s a quarterback’s dream to not only have great receivers but a tremendous offensive line, great running backs and a great coaching staff. I couldn’t ask for more.”
He may not ask for anything more, but maybe after tonight’s, he might just be given a spot in the College Football Playoff and a seat in New York City.
