Ezekiel Elliott Criticizes Ohio State Coaching Staff After Michigan State Loss

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott called out the team's coaching staff after carrying the ball only 12 times in Ohio State's 17-14 loss to the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday.

On Monday, head coach Urban Meyer revealed "Elliott apologized to him in a long meeting," per Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch. Meyer admitted the "play-calling was 'not very good' and he regrets not being more forceful in ordering changes," per Rabinowitz. He noted Elliott would not be suspended for his remarks, according to Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel.

The running back also issued an apology on his Twitter account:

Elliott, who came into the matchup having eclipsed the 100-yard mark in every game this season, was held to a season-low 33 yards and one touchdown in the Buckeyes' first loss since Sept. 6, 2014.

Elliott told reporters after the contest that this had been his last home game in Columbus, Ohio. He said he will declare for the NFL draft, per WSYX, and had some choice words for the Ohio State coaching staff, per Dan Wolken of USA Today:

Elliott said the coaching staff "didn't put us in position to win," and Michigan State was a "team we should beat," per Rick Pizzo of the Big Ten Network.

SportsCenter provided more of Elliott's postgame comments:

Elliott has reason to be upset. Not only did he carry the ball only 12 times, but he also didn't even have the most attempts on his team. Quarterback J.T. Barrett had a team-high 15 carries for only 44 yards.

Compare that to Michigan State running the ball 51 times for 203 yards, which was the difference in the game. The Spartans controlled the line of scrimmage and made sure to keep the ball out of backup quarterback Tyler O'Connor's hands.

O'Connor completed seven of 12 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in place of starter Connor Cook, who was out after suffering a right shoulder injury. 

Elliott was a worthy Heisman Trophy contender coming into Saturday, and he could have strengthened his case with a solid showing against Michigan State. But those chances are now all but gone.