Ohio State wasn’t able to pull off a second-half comeback, falling to No. 10 Miami 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl, ending the Buckeyes season and hopes at winning a back-to-back national championship.
Here are the three players the BSB staff is giving Buckeye Leaves.
Sam Cipriani: After setting a College Football Playoff record with two forced fumbles, I’m giving my Buckeye Leaf to safety Caleb Downs.
Just 10 minutes into the game the junior safety jarred the football loose on Miami freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney who was attempting to make a move past Downs. With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Downs again went into the body of Toney, who was coming across the field on a slant, and popped the football out.
Unfortunately for Ohio State, Toney recovered both of his own fumbles popped out by Downs. Downs also totaled eight tackles (five solo), which was tied for the second-best mark on Ohio State’s defense.
Bobby Gorbett: For a crucial performance in Ohio State’s win, my Buckeye Leaf is going to sophomore receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes’ superstar pass-catcher had arguably his best performance of the season with seven catches for a game-high 157 yards and a touchdown. It seemed that whenever a big play needed to be made through the air redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin targeted Smith.
Smith’s longest reception came in the second quarter when he broke free on a post route and despite being surrounded by a couple of Miami defenders, he made a catch that allowed the Buckeyes to pick up 59 yards.
However, perhaps his most impactful catch came late in the third quarter on a pivotal fourth-and-2. On the play, Smith attracted the attention of multiple Miami defenders but still got open on a slant route, made the catch at the 5-yard line and evaded multiple would-be tacklers to get into the end zone for the Buckeyes’ second touchdown of the game.
Greg Wilson: My Buckeye Leaf is going to junior defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, who was his usual disruptive self on the line. While the Buckeyes struggled to stop the Miami run game, much of the Hurricane success on the ground was on the outside.
Anytime McDonald was able to make a stop, he was bringing down opposing players, using his quickness and strength to make as much of an impact as he could.
McDonald finished the game with eight tackles (three solo), tied for the second most on the team, one tackle for loss and a pass broken up on a tipped ball.
