The Ohio State Buckeyes fought off the critics — including Clemson coach Dabo Swinney — and Justin Fields overcame a brutal hit to throw six touchdowns in a 49-28 rout of the Tigers in the second College Football Playoff semifinal.
Fields got laid out by Clemson linebacker James Skalski in the second quarter of the game and was ejected. That wound up turning the momentum in Ohio State’s favor, as the Buckeyes rallied around Fields’ gutsy performance and thoroughly dominated the Tigers throughout.
It looked like Fields could've been unable to return after Skalski lowered his helmet right into his back when the dual-threat signal-caller took off to run.
Officials had to review the play to determine that the Clemson playmaker was, in fact, in violation of the targeting rules. Although many disagreed with the penalty, it was called, but the larger concern for the Buckeyes was Fields’ health.
After exiting the field for just one play, Fields returned to throw a nine-yard touchdown strike to Chris Olave. But the QB gingerly went to the sideline and didn’t appear as though he’d be coming back after that gutsy effort.
Oh, Fields came back all right, orchestrating a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 12-yard scoring toss to Jeremy Ruckert with 11 seconds remaining in the first half to put the Bucks up 35-14. Fields would finish with as many incompletions (six) as touchdown passes on 28 attempts, amassing 385 yards through the air. ESPN Stats & Info provided further context for Fields’ historic showing:
Justin Fields has now set the Ohio State bowl record with 385 yards passing. The previous mark was 342 by Troy Smith vs Notre Dame in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 2, 2021
Ohio State's 49 points are a program record for a bowl game. pic.twitter.com/k0cqMvFRnt
Even for Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, such a deficit proved insurmountable, despite his best efforts and eventual total of 400 yards passing. Now, the big questions around Fields are whether he can do enough to beat Alabama for the national championship and eclipse BYU’s Zach Wilson as the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Either one of those didn’t really seem in play before Friday night. Fields is reminding everyone he has the goods to be a future franchise quarterback in the pros, and possibly the latest athletic field general to give Nick Saban fits on the big stage.
Hey, Dabo, quick Q: Is Ohio State still really your 11th-ranked team?
Naturally, social media had much to say about Ohio State dominating Clemson.
This is Dabo’s career arc at Clemson in a nutshell. pic.twitter.com/CQ5GX7PTzt
— Matt ‘15 (@Aggie_Matt15) January 2, 2021
“Nah I don’t regret ranking Ohio State 11th” – #DaboSwinney pic.twitter.com/EQGnMTe5Xk
— Marty DaPore (@NoRagrets7) January 2, 2021
Clemson fans this morning looking at Ohio State football highlights on TV pic.twitter.com/nZ2VRWn3WW
— Can’t Stanzya (@Cantst4nzya) January 2, 2021
When dabo said y’all are number 11 pic.twitter.com/rOu6ayHLTH
— nick (@sweetnloweszn) January 2, 2021
Justin Fields when asked about being ranked 11th pic.twitter.com/dKKBGqHfbT
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 2, 2021
Ohio State fans after beating Clemson: pic.twitter.com/bpJWXO97Xd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2021
@OhioStateFB smashed Clemson in the Sugar Bowl pic.twitter.com/EN9RDJxHtc
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 2, 2021
Clemson after going up 7-0: #OSUvsClem pic.twitter.com/wxsjpRXPWu
— Johnny Spins (@johnny_spins) January 2, 2021
Congrats on playing a lot of games, Clemson.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) January 2, 2021
Give @justnfields his ’s now why he’s still a BUCKEYE!!!!! He’s flat out SPECIAL!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 2, 2021
Justin Fields is having an all-time college football passing performance while some of his bones and organs are clearly not where they're supposed to be
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 2, 2021
Justin Fields is making himself so much money tonight. I hope Sam Darnold isn’t watching.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 2, 2021
JUSTIN FIELDS QB1?!https://t.co/swpkMnFALg pic.twitter.com/7BG7fAvXIs
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
6 Touchdowns in the biggest game of his career to send Ohio State to the National Championship game. Simply Amazing.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 2, 2021
Never forget, @justnfields was relentless about playing football this year. #Legendary https://t.co/4zBGkRFnHg
Narrator: He was right.@justnfields // @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/K67DNjAVch
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 2, 2021
Extremely high praise for Justin Fields from Chris Fowler. pic.twitter.com/3AbuZ7ZMNB
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 2, 2021
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