OSU HAS “FIELD DAY” ON TIGERS IN BIG WIN;
WILL FACE BAMA FOR CHAMPIONSHIP DEC 11TH
By Deon Cash
OSU star quarterback Justin Fields had heard enough for one season.
- He heard initially that there wouldn’t be a season. He then heard that it would be a short season.
- He heard he was the Heisman Award winner after 3 games. Then he watched that fizzle away.
- He had heard how his stock was slipping. Fast.
- He had heard how he wasn’t the same player, and how he should maybe come back another year.
- He heard how his Buckeyes were not that good, and ranked as low as #11 by some former college championship coaches who’d they face.
- He heard how they shouldn’t even be in the final four, as they only played 6 regular season games, due to 2 teams cancelling due to Covid-19.
- He heard how Clemson’s quarterback would be taken ahead of him, and is a much better prospect.
- He then started hearing how other quarterbacks were better than him, having better seasons than him.
- He heard that he couldn’t beat that guy at Clemson, and how there was no chance of the Buckeyes winning a title after the way they looked recently.
- And lastly, he continually heard about the miscommunication he had last year in the waning moments to cost the Buckeyes the chance at the chip last year.
Over and over again. For weeks.
Well, Justin Fields and the Buckeyes looked to have had enough of all the talk, as they took the opportunity to face the Clemson Tigers one more time, one last time in the Field-led era.
The rematch of the heartbreaking loss last season.
Fields took every chance to show why, whoever doubted his ability to lead the Buckeyes to a title, needs to have their heads examined.
Fields was, in one word, magnificent.
In two words? Field Day.
Fields would put on one of the most dominating, gutty performances by a quarterback in college football, and especially Ohio State history as he dropped six touchdowns on the Tigers en route to leading the Buckeyes to a 49-21 beat down of Clemson.
The win eases the crushing loss of last season, and the Buckeyes get a signature win under 2nd year Coach Ryan Day.
Day constantly emphasized how grateful and impressed he was with his team just getting to this point. But Day also had something to prove, as he wants to leave his own mark as a top OSU coach, and with one more win on January 11th, that could go a long way towards etching a great legacy in Columbus.
As far as Fields?
Once thought of as a Top-5 NFL pick, and his stock dropping rapidly, he put the Buckeyes on his back, taking the hardest shot of the night by Clemson’s fiery, dirtiest linebacker. Fields would take the shot, in his ribs and back area, crumple to the ground for a while, then pick himself up and come out for one play.
He would come back in the next play and hit NFL ready WR Chris Olave for a TD, showing the will, grit, and determination that makes NFL Owners, General Managers, Coaches, and fans drool about.
His toughness, on that play alone, was worth a few million dollars itself.
Because after that play, (score was 21-14 OSU) the Buckeyes would limit Clemson to 1 final TD over the last 2 ½ quarters, shutting down the Tigers running offense while limiting Trevor Lawrence to only 1 TD pass and a interception on the last pass of the night, likely ending his career in a Tiger uniform.
It wasn’t what Fields said that was important. It was what he did. He was ready and locked in for this moment.
And he absolutely obliterated the Tigers offense with his pinpoint accuracy, his ability to throw it deep, and his ability to run and extend plays, and take a shot. He inspired the team, and they rallied about their quarterback and head coach.
And oh yeah, to all those experts who wanted to drop his stock? Or think he won’t perform against a much better Alabama team?
Think again.
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