Ezekiel Elliott Done With The Ohio State Buckeyes: ‘There’s No Chance I Come Back’
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was extremely frustrated after suffering a 17-14 loss to the Michigan State Spartans during a windy and rainy game Saturday, which ended hopes the Buckeyes held to once again emerge as the national champs. Elliott’s frustration was evident in his post-game interview when he spent time ripping into the Buckeyes’ coaches.
According to the Bleacher Report, the type of rant Ezekiel Elliott gave is rare at the college level. Emotions were certainly running high though as the Buckeyes’ battle against the Spartans ended up with a last minute loss to the Michigan team, which ended the Buckeyes’ 23-game winning streak as well as their 30-game winning streak in the regular-season conference games.
Ezekiel Elliott had been in the hospital Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, receiving treatment for a staph infection, and wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play Saturday. Since Elliott ended up playing, he wanted more carries in the game and lobbied coach Urban Meyer but wasn’t given them. Elliott only had 12 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m disappointed in the play-calling,” Elliott said. “I feel like we just weren’t put in the right opportunity to win this game. We weren’t put in the right situations to win this game.”
Ezekiel was asked who he was specifically speaking about in regards to play-calling.
“I’m talking about the play-calling. So whoever calls the plays,” was Ezekiel’s answer.
Head coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, and co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tim Beck share the job of calling plays and are those Ezekiel called out. They apparently felt the best way to win the game was to keep the ball in J.T. Barrett’s hands, a decision many watching the game found curious.
Urban Meyer said, “I call a lot of the plays anyways. So finger will be pointed right here. And I have to do better.”
Ezekiel Elliott added, “I think I do deserve more than 11 carries. I think I really do. I can’t speak for the play-calling, I don’t know what was going on or what they were seeing, but honestly, it didn’t work out. It wasn’t working.”
Play-calling wasn’t just a problem in Saturday’s game, but one that has been seen all season long.
“It is kind of something we’ve seen all season, honestly,” Elliott said. “We’ll have some momentum, we’re calling plays that work and then we kind of try to get away from it and try to get cute and run some other stuff.”
Called one of the best running backs across the country, it was no surprise when Ezekiel Elliott announced he’s seeking to go pro in the NFL.
“This will be my last game in the ‘Shoe. There’s no chance of me coming back next year. I have to make the most of my time left. I just want to thank Buckeye Nation for making this place so special and I’m sorry about tonight.”
Afterward, Ezekiel Elliott tweeted Saturday was his last home game.
Enjoyed my last buckeye walk. Gonna miss all the fans who had a couple too many trying to break my hand with the high fives
— EzekielElliott5? (@EzekielElliott) November 22, 2015
Ezekiel Elliott isn’t the only Buckeye heading to the NFL. Quarterback Cardale Jones also announced his intention on Twitter.
Last time walking down them steps and into The Shoe, wish the results were different tho pic.twitter.com/BalXhHTOS7
— Cardale Jones (@CJ12_) November 22, 2015
Though Jones led Ohio State to the national championship 10 months ago and was likely a first-round draft pick, he returned to the Buckeyes and ended up benched. NBC Sports reports Jones likely cost himself millions of dollars by returning to the Buckeyes.
Ezekiel Elliott and the Buckeyes travel north to take on the Michigan Wolverines next week.
What do you think of Ezekiel Elliott’s comments?
[Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images]
