Ezekiel Elliott makes college football history

Updated
Ohio State Tops Oregon To Win College Football Playoff National Championship
Ohio State Tops Oregon To Win College Football Playoff National Championship



Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was named the offensive MVP of the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship, and it's fitting, considering the sophomore made college football history with unprecedented play in the postseason.

Granted, Oregon and Ohio State were the first teams in college football history to play three postseason games, but regardless, Elliott's numbers are breathtaking.

The Bucks' 42-20 win over the Ducks marked the third consecutive time in as many games that Elliot rushed for over 200 yards. It's an accomplishment that Eddie George or Archie Griffin can't claim. No Buckeye has ever done it. Period.

While putting up mind-boggling numbers, Elliot set rushing records for the Big Ten Championship game, the Sugar Bowl and the national title contest. All totaled, Zeke rushed the ball 76 times for 696 yards–that's 9.1 yards per carry.

Elliott's emergence is even more impressive considering he was just kind of "good" through the early and middle parts of the season.

Obviously, the flashes were there, as he put up 182 yards against Cincinnati, and 139 yards against Maryland. Those were impressive efforts, but defense is just a rumor at those schools.

Elliott's breakout really started on the road against Michigan State, when he scored two touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He didn't average fewer than 5.1 yards per carry in the Bucks' final six contests.

For Elliott to record three, 200-yard efforts is truly remarkable, and will be talked about in Ohio State lore as long as the Buckeyes play football.

Related links

Ohio State Buckeyes: National Champions will be favored to repeat
The 50 greatest college football programs all-time statistically ranked
Marcus Mariota's draft stock takes hit after title game loss

For more sports coverage, please visit FanSided.com and follow Nick Dudukovich on Twitter: @dukeofnick


Advertisement