Ohio State Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Ohio State Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

July 1, 2015

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Ohio State Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Ohio State Football — Ohio State laughed in the face of adversity on multiple occasions last season. Losing two quarterbacks and a home loss to a non-conference opponent didn’t spell the end for the Buckeyes on their historic national title run. Considering the plethora of momentum-swinging plays from last season, it is difficult to narrow the list to the top 10. But here they are, and let the debating begin.

Ohio State laughed in the face of adversity on multiple occasions last season. Losing two quarterbacks and a home loss to a non-conference opponent didn’t spell the end for the Buckeyes on their historic national title run. Considering the plethora of momentum-swinging plays from last season, it is difficult to narrow the list to the top 10. But here they are, and let the debating begin.

10. Devin Smith's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Navy

Devin Smith ohio state buckeyes

10. Devin Smith's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Navy

Devin Smith ohio state buckeyes — Ohio State and J.T. Barrett were struggling to find their offensive rhythm against the Midshipmen in the opening week. The Buckeyes were trailing 14-13 late in the third quarter and faced first-and-10 from their own 20-yard line. Barrett dropped back and floated a beautiful pass to receiver Devin Smith who got behind the defense for an 80-yard touchdown. This put Ohio State ahead for good, and the Buckeyes triumphed 34-17.

Ohio State and J.T. Barrett were struggling to find their offensive rhythm against the Midshipmen in the opening week. The Buckeyes were trailing 14-13 late in the third quarter and faced first-and-10 from their own 20-yard line. Barrett dropped back and floated a beautiful pass to receiver Devin Smith who got behind the defense for an 80-yard touchdown. This put Ohio State ahead for good, and the Buckeyes triumphed 34-17.

9. Jalin Marshall's Punt Return Touchdown vs. Indiana

Jalin Marshall ohio state buckeyes

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9. Jalin Marshall's Punt Return Touchdown vs. Indiana

Jalin Marshall ohio state buckeyes — Ohio Stadium was getting restless late in the third quarter as the Buckeyes trailed lowly Indiana 20-14. Punter Cameron Johnston pinned the Hoosiers inside their own five-yard line, and the defense forced a three-and-out. Receiver Jalin Marshall fielded the Indiana punt at his own 46-yard line and returned it down the middle of the field for the go-ahead touchdown. It was one of four all-purpose touchdowns for Marshall in Ohio State’s 42-27 win.

Ohio Stadium was getting restless late in the third quarter as the Buckeyes trailed lowly Indiana 20-14. Punter Cameron Johnston pinned the Hoosiers inside their own five-yard line, and the defense forced a three-and-out. Receiver Jalin Marshall fielded the Indiana punt at his own 46-yard line and returned it down the middle of the field for the go-ahead touchdown. It was one of four all-purpose touchdowns for Marshall in Ohio State’s 42-27 win.

8. J.T. Barrett's Long Touchdown Run vs. Minnesota

JT Barrett ohio state buckeyes

8. J.T. Barrett's Long Touchdown Run vs. Minnesota

JT Barrett ohio state buckeyes — Wind, snow and 15-degree weather welcomed Ohio State to Minneapolis. Target Field was whipped into a senior day frenzy at kickoff, but the Buckeyes silenced the crowd early. On the Buckeyes’ second possession, Barrett took a quarterback keeper up the middle and outran several Gopher defenders 86 yards for six. The Buckeyes escaped the Minnesota tundra with a 31-24 victory.

Wind, snow and 15-degree weather welcomed Ohio State to Minneapolis. Target Field was whipped into a senior day frenzy at kickoff, but the Buckeyes silenced the crowd early. On the Buckeyes’ second possession, Barrett took a quarterback keeper up the middle and outran several Gopher defenders 86 yards for six. The Buckeyes escaped the Minnesota tundra with a 31-24 victory.

7. Michael Thomas' Long Touchdown Reception vs. Michigan State

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes

7. Michael Thomas' Long Touchdown Reception vs. Michigan State

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes — Turnovers plagued Ohio State early against Michigan State, but the Buckeyes only trailed 21-14 before half. A Spartan missed field goal after an Ohio State fumble gave the Buckeyes first-and-10 at their own 21-yard line. Barrett hit receiver Michael Thomas on a slant, and Thomas left the defense in his wake on his 79-yard touchdown reception. This tied the game and gave the Buckeyes momentum going forward in their huge 49-37 road win.

Turnovers plagued Ohio State early against Michigan State, but the Buckeyes only trailed 21-14 before half. A Spartan missed field goal after an Ohio State fumble gave the Buckeyes first-and-10 at their own 21-yard line. Barrett hit receiver Michael Thomas on a slant, and Thomas left the defense in his wake on his 79-yard touchdown reception. This tied the game and gave the Buckeyes momentum going forward in their huge 49-37 road win.

6. Joey Bosa's Game-Ending Sack vs. Penn State

Joey Bosa ohio state buckeyes

6. Joey Bosa's Game-Ending Sack vs. Penn State

Joey Bosa ohio state buckeyes — Ohio State let a 17-0 lead slip away against the Nittany Lions, but put together two overtime touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead. Penn State faced fourth-and-six from the Ohio State 21-yard line in their second overtime possession. With the game on the line, defensive end Joey Bosa bull rushed the offensive line and knocked Penn State running back Akeel Lynch into quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg fell and Bosa was credited with the sack.

Ohio State let a 17-0 lead slip away against the Nittany Lions, but put together two overtime touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead. Penn State faced fourth-and-six from the Ohio State 21-yard line in their second overtime possession. With the game on the line, defensive end Joey Bosa bull rushed the offensive line and knocked Penn State running back Akeel Lynch into quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg fell and Bosa was credited with the sack.

5. Michael Thomas' Touchdown Reception From Evan Spencer vs. Alabama

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes

5. Michael Thomas' Touchdown Reception From Evan Spencer vs. Alabama

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes — After trailing 21-6, Ohio State got a much-needed touchdown from Ezekiel Elliott to make the score 21-13. Just before halftime, the Buckeyes faced second-and-10 from the Alabama 13-yard line. Wide receiver Evan Spencer took a reverse pitch from Marshall and threw a bullet to Thomas in the front corner of the end zone. Thomas came down with the ball and a foot in bounds. It was the turning point of the game as the Tide's lead was cut to one.

After trailing 21-6, Ohio State got a much-needed touchdown from Ezekiel Elliott to make the score 21-13. Just before halftime, the Buckeyes faced second-and-10 from the Alabama 13-yard line. Wide receiver Evan Spencer took a reverse pitch from Marshall and threw a bullet to Thomas in the front corner of the end zone. Thomas came down with the ball and a foot in bounds. It was the turning point of the game as the Tide's lead was cut to one.

4. J.T. Barrett's First Touchdown Run vs. Michigan

JT Barrett ohio state buckeyes

4. J.T. Barrett's First Touchdown Run vs. Michigan

JT Barrett ohio state buckeyes — After the opening touchdown, the Ohio State offense struggled to move the ball effectively. Trailing their chief rival 14-7, the Buckeyes faced second-and-10 from the Michigan 25 with 17 seconds till half. Barrett dropped back to throw, but couldn’t find an open receiver. He then pulled the ball down and made a couple defenders miss on his way to the end zone with seven seconds to spare. Ohio State would go on to win 42-28.

After the opening touchdown, the Ohio State offense struggled to move the ball effectively. Trailing their chief rival 14-7, the Buckeyes faced second-and-10 from the Michigan 25 with 17 seconds till half. Barrett dropped back to throw, but couldn’t find an open receiver. He then pulled the ball down and made a couple defenders miss on his way to the end zone with seven seconds to spare. Ohio State would go on to win 42-28.

3. Steve Miller's Pick-Six vs. Alabama

Steve Miller ohio state buckeyes

3. Steve Miller's Pick-Six vs. Alabama

Steve Miller ohio state buckeyes — The Buckeyes came out on fire in the second half of the Sugar Bowl. After a 47-yard pass from quarterback Cardale Jones to Smith, Ohio State led 27-21. Late in the third quarter, Alabama faced third-and-seven from their own 36-yard line. Ohio State defensive end Steve Miller dropped back into coverage, intercepted Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and returned it 41 yards to extend Ohio State’s lead to 34-21.

The Buckeyes came out on fire in the second half of the Sugar Bowl. After a 47-yard pass from quarterback Cardale Jones to Smith, Ohio State led 27-21. Late in the third quarter, Alabama faced third-and-seven from their own 36-yard line. Ohio State defensive end Steve Miller dropped back into coverage, intercepted Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and returned it 41 yards to extend Ohio State’s lead to 34-21.

2. Ezekiel Elliott's First Touchdown Run vs. Oregon

Ezekiel Elliott ohio state buckeyes

2. Ezekiel Elliott's First Touchdown Run vs. Oregon

Ezekiel Elliott ohio state buckeyes — Oregon scored on their opening drive and held an early 7-0 lead. After some unsuccessful drives, Ohio State needed to counter quickly. Midway through the first quarter, Elliott took a Jones handoff up the middle and broke a few tackles on his acrobatic 33-yard jaunt to the end zone to tie the score at seven. Elliott finished with 246 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State’s 42-20 National Championship win.

Oregon scored on their opening drive and held an early 7-0 lead. After some unsuccessful drives, Ohio State needed to counter quickly. Midway through the first quarter, Elliott took a Jones handoff up the middle and broke a few tackles on his acrobatic 33-yard jaunt to the end zone to tie the score at seven. Elliott finished with 246 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State’s 42-20 National Championship win.

1. Ezekiel Elliott's Long Touchdown Run vs. Alabama

Ezekiel Elliott ohio state buckeyes

1. Ezekiel Elliott's Long Touchdown Run vs. Alabama

Ezekiel Elliott ohio state buckeyes — Ohio State led by only six points in the fourth quarter and the offense was stalling. After being pinned deep in their own territory once again, the Buckeyes needed some life. On first-and-10 from their own 15-yard line, Jones handed to Elliott off left tackle. Spencer delivered a crushing block and Elliott went the distance. Following the two-point conversion, Ohio State led 42-28 and ultimately left New Orleans with a 42-35 victory.

Ohio State led by only six points in the fourth quarter and the offense was stalling. After being pinned deep in their own territory once again, the Buckeyes needed some life. On first-and-10 from their own 15-yard line, Jones handed to Elliott off left tackle. Spencer delivered a crushing block and Elliott went the distance. Following the two-point conversion, Ohio State led 42-28 and ultimately left New Orleans with a 42-35 victory.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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