There are heartbreaking losses, and then there are program-defining losses that will be forever remembered. The latter happened for Ohio State in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl Saturday night. I told some fellow media members after the game that I’ve never witness an OSU football game in which I just felt so surprised on the outcome based on the way things went.
I am still shocked Ohio State didn’t pull that out last night.
The Buckeyes came out the way they needed to, played very well on both sides of the ball for the most part throughout the entire game, and outgained and outplayed Clemson for most of the contest. But in the end, there were a few too many key mistakes, and surely a few too many calls that simply didn’t go the good guys’ way.
Give the Tigers credit, but I don’t for one minute believe head coach Dabo Swinney didn’t have one-second where he thought his team might lose, no matter what he says.
Still, even at the end of the game, Ohio State marched right down the field in rhythm — executing its two-minute offense to perfection and found itself in position to cap off a game-winning drive. But just like the rest of the game, another break didn’t go the right way.
Justin Fields had plenty of time to throw and slung a pass with conviction toward wide-receiver Chris Olave. Unlike just a couple of possessions early though, this time instead of a touchdown, the pass was intercepted.
The way it was picked off will stick into the DNA of the program forever. Fields threw to a post-pattern while Olave broke towards the corner, leaving Clemson DB Nolan Turner all alone to make the easy play.
Afterwards, Olave owned what he called his mistake.
“It was a one-on-one with me on the safety, and I was supposed to run the post,” Olave said following the Fiesta Bowl thriller. “But when I looked back I thought he scrambled — so I tried to work the second part of my route. He ended up throwing it, and that’s how the game ended.”
Chris Olave took full blame for the play at the end. Said it was “my mistake” and that it was his fault OSU lost. He thought Justin Fields scrambled so he broke off his route. Classy kid. He answered every question.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 29, 2019
That’s a big-time own by a kid that has turned into one whale of a threat in the passing game. And remember this: Ohio State isn’t likely in the College Football Playoff without Olave’s game-changing playmaking this year.
Olave is one heck of a kid, and is mature beyond his years. He strikes you as appreciative and engaging in post-game locker room sessions, always ending each interview with “appreciate you.” He’ll bounce back.
Go get ’em next year Chris. Appreciate you.