With gold confetti streaming down, Ohio State celebrated its 125th season of football with one final, historic moment: as victors of the first College Football Playoff National Championship.
“We play football for a lot of reasons,” Coach Urban Meyer said. “We play it for the great state of Ohio. We play it for an incredible university – The Ohio State University. But most importantly we play for each other.”
This is the eighth national title in football for Ohio State. It was an unbelievable season for the Buckeyes, who persevered over injuries to two Heisman Trophy candidates and the heartbreaking loss of a teammate during the season.
“Through it all, a young group of players has grown up and grown together to show the world what it means to be a Buckeye,” President Michael V. Drake wrote in an opinion piece Monday.
“Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes and Coach Urban Meyer on capping one of the most memorable seasons in Ohio State history with a national championship,” said Alumni Association President/CEO Archie Griffin. “I have never seen a team overcome more adversity and show more heart and perseverance than this team of destiny. You have made Buckeye Nation so very proud!”
Scenes from Arlington, Texas
The social celebration
#GoBucks was trending Monday night as fans across the world shared their reactions throughout the game, including proud alumni, celebrity fans and students basking in the glow of a Buckeye victory.
From written off in Sept to etched n history n January!! Congrats @OhioStFootball @OSUCoachMeyer @OhioStAthletics #BuckeyeNation #ProudAlum
— Clark Kellogg (@ClarkKelloggCBS) January 13, 2015
O-H!!!!!!!!!!! GAME OVER!!!!!! So happy for my home state!
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 13, 2015
We're all rooting for our @OhioState #Buckeyes! O-H-I-O! @zoos_aquariums @OregonZoo #GoBucks #cbusproud pic.twitter.com/RPdWqIpAok
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) January 12, 2015
Thank you @OhioState for this chance of a lifetime! #GoBucks #BuckeyeforLife #BuckeyeNation #studentlottery pic.twitter.com/MCRRZLLaCR
— Kevin Scott (@kevinscott16) January 13, 2015
Congratulations to @OhioState! Our lights are in scarlet and grey for their #CFBChampionship win. #OREvsOSU pic.twitter.com/ssY2KSaeAa
— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) January 13, 2015
What the experts were saying
Before the national championship game, sports writers across the nation noted the loss and challenges the 2014 Buckeyes overcame throughout the season and the fact that the team consistently rose to the challenge after being dubbed "the underdog." Ohio State delivered again.
"Never seen a story like this in college football history."- Chris Fowler, during ESPN's Jan. 12 broadcast
“The first season of the College Football Playoff era is in the books, and Ohio State reigns supreme.” - Ben Glicksman, Sports Illustrated
“It hasn't mattered, really, who's been at quarterback, which is a testament to the talent and skill level of the players around that position. … Now, it's easy to foresee success next season.” - Nicole Auerbach, USA Today Sports
Ending on a high note
Cie Grant - who helped the Buckeyes win their last National Championship, in January 2003 – wished Monday’s national championship team luck with his a cappella version of “Carmen Ohio."
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