First, the numbers for Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott in the National Championship game.
-36 carries for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns
-8 carries of 10+ yards
-3 carries for 20+ yards
-No carries for < 1 yard
That last stat is absolutely mind boggling. In a game where he touched the ball 36 times in the backfield, he never once went down behind the line of scrimmage. As Sports Science points out, the secret to his success is his patience and explosion in a zone blocking scheme.
Here’s five GIFs from last night to illustrate this.
Just how good was Ezekiel Elliott down the stretch? Well, he was basically a superhero, a Frankenstein mashed up with pieces of Eddie George and Archie Griffin.
Ezekiel Elliott finished the season with 1,878 yards, the second-most in any season in Ohio State history. Only Eddie George had more – 1,927 en route to the 1995 Heisman Trophy.
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 246 yards against Oregon, most for any player in a Championship Game. Elliott also joins Eddie George as the only Ohio State players with three 200-yard rushing games in a season.
Ezekiel Elliott set a career high in rushing in each of his last 3 games of the season. Elliott also set Championship records in rushes, rush yards, and rushing touchdowns.
Ezekiel Elliott (OSU): 1st player in school history with 3 straight 200-yd rushing games
Cardale Jones received lots of praise (and deservedly so) for his play after J.T. Barrett went down. But without Elliott, the heart and soul of that Ohio State Buckeyes team, they don’t win the national championship.
