College Football Championship 2015: Top Breakout Stars from Oregon vs. OSU
In one of the most shocking outcomes in recent history, the Ohio State Buckeyes stunned the Oregon Ducks and won the inaugural 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship, 42-20.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer became only the second coach in college football history to win a national title with two different schools, but it is the fact that he returned the program to prominence that should have Buckeyes fans most excited.
After the lopsided national championship outcome, here are the top breakout stars from the battle between Oregon and Ohio State.
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Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes
The breakout star from the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday was sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott, who showcased to the nation why he is one of the brightest stars in the sport heading into 2015.
After racking up six 100-plus-yard rushing performances during the regular season, Elliott managed to amass 220 yards in the conference championship, 230 yards in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama and a whopping 246 yards in the national championship.
Oregon struggled to stop Elliott all night, and over the course of the game, he was a key part of Ohio State’s ability to wear down the Ducks defenders. Feeding Elliott 36 carries in the championship hurt Oregon’s defense, but it was the running back’s four total touchdowns that did the most damage.
With big-game experience under his belt and a unique chance to return to Ohio State and repeat as national champions, Elliott’s success with the Buckeyes will only continue to grow over the offseason and into the 2015 campaign.
Byron Marshall, WR, Oregon Ducks
A loss for the Oregon Ducks was a devastating blow to the program, but that doesn’t discredit the effort of the team all year and the performance of wide receiver Byron Marshall in Monday’s national championship.
Marshall’s best game of the season came in the opening week where he racked up eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, but he matched that output against Ohio State, amassing eight catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota leaned on Marshall all day, but it still wasn’t enough for Oregon to overcome the Ohio State defensive assault. While the team’s performance didn’t live up to expectations, Marshall’s composure in a key moment is a silver lining to the loss.
Without Mariota next season, though, how the Ducks offense plays in 2015 will be a major question mark.
*Stats via ESPN.com.
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