ARLINGTON (KFSM) – The game plan for Ohio State has been pretty simple since they lost quarter J. T. Barrett prior to the Big Ten championship game – give the ball to Ezekiel Elliott.
The Buckeyes running back ran through, around and over the Oregon defense to the tune of 246 yards and four touchdowns as Ohio State rolled to a 42-20 win in the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship at AT&T Stadium.
Elliott scored on runs of 33, 9, 2 and 1 yards, with the final three coming after the Ducks had cut the Ohio State lead to 21-20 midway through the third quarter.
Despite forcing four turnovers, Oregon could never take advantage as Ohio State played keep away. The Buckeyes ran the ball 61 times and won the time of possession battle with more than 37 minutes.
Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota tried to keep Oregon in the game as he threw for 333 yards and a pair of scores but the high octane Ducks offense was slowed on the ground as they managed 132 yards on 33 attempts. Ohio State rushed for 296 yards.
Cardale Jones, making just his third career start, threw for 242 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-23 passing, while adding 38 yards and another score on the ground.
