Ezekiel Elliott powers between Archie Griffin & Eddie George – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A decisive, 42-13 win by the Ohio State Buckeyes over Michigan Saturday at Michigan Stadium was highlighted and sparked by a fabulous game from junior running back Ezekiel Elliott, who gained 214 yards, averaged over 7.0 yards per carry against the nation’s No. 2 total defense and fourth-rated rush defense, scored twice and then apologized again for his comments last week.
In the process, Elliott became the second-leading rusher in Ohio State history, moving past Eddie George and his 3,768 yards to trail only the great Archie Griffin (5,589 yards) with 3,812 yards. And if one is counting: that’s three Heisman trophies that Elliott is nestled in between, and with1,672 rushing yards this season with 19 touchdowns and an additional 26 receptions, Elliott has re-established himself among the handful or so Heisman Trophy candidates in a season in which there is no run-away leader.
“I think he has apologized 37 or 38 times — I’ve lost track — but I told him he doesn’t need to apologize [anymore] because he has banked investment … with the Meyer family, with the coaches and with the team.” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said following the game.
“I don’t lobby. Maybe I do, but he should be in New York. He’s one of the best players in America. He should be a Heisman guy. I don’t know if he should win it because I don’t know the other players. He’s as good as any of the players I’ve been around. And he’s on a team that is 11-1.”
Elliott displayed his own run-away ability in the game, taking one carry 66 yards for his sixth rush of over 50 yards this season and the 12th of his career. He scored from 5 yards in the second quarter to give the Buckeyes’ a 14-3 lead and then added a 10-yard score early in the fourth quarter to grow Ohio State’s lead to 35-13.
Elliott’s 19 rushing touchdowns currently rank second among the nation’s running backs and are more than he had in three more games during his breakout 2014 season.
He also tied today the Ohio State school record, held by George, with five career 200-yard rushing games. His 139.3 yards per game average also tops his 2014 total and he is just under his 6.9 yards per carry average from last year with a fine 6.4 per carry average this year.
Ohio State Career Rushing Leaders
- 5,589 — Archie Griffin
- 3,812 — Ezekiel Elliott
- 3,768 — Eddie George
- 3,553 — Tim Spencer
- 3,382 — Chris Wells
