PASADENA, Calif. — An Ohio State football season that took multiple unexpected turns culminated in a frenzied, physical Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes came out flat, suffered frustrating and frightening personnel losses and saw their defense gashed throughout the first half. Then came a second-half rally, a resurgent defensive performance and a last surge of optimism into a potentially transformative offseason. Fittingly, the final blow came via the reliable leg of Noah Ruggles. His 19-yard field goal lifted the Buckyes to a 48-45 victory over Utah and the program’s ninth Rose Bowl victory. Smith-Njigba set a plethora of game and season receiving records as he totaled 347 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions. Stroud threw for a career-high 573 yards and six touchdowns. With its running game effectively gummed up early — and two star receivers no longer in uniform — OSU turned to what should enter next season as…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football edges Utah 48-45 in thrilling Rose Bowl, creating momentum for crucial offseason
