ARLINGTON, Texas — Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns and Ohio State won the first national title in college football’s playoff era, running over Oregon, 42-20, Monday night at the $1.2 billion home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Elliott scored three straight times in the second half for the Buckeyes, seeded fourth in the four-team bracket, after the Ducks pulled within a point in the third quarter.
The Buckeyes overcame four turnovers to give Urban Meyer his first title in his third season at Ohio State after he won two championships at Florida under the old BCS system.
Meyer became only the second coach in college football history to win championships with two different schools. The other is Alabama’s Nick Saban.
“The chase is complete,” Meyer said. “It’s done. It’s over. They accepted their final mission, their final assignment and their final directive, and they did it. That was our whole mantra this last couple of weeks. A job well done, and we’re very grateful.”
Cardale Jones, who started the season as Ohio State’s third-string quarterback, accounted for two scores as the Buckeyes won their fifth national championship.
Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown pass on the opening drive, but couldn’t lead the second-seeded Ducks to their first national title.
Continue Reading: Ohio State wins college football’s national championship
