How a season of scandal and suspension ended in a Rose Bowl victory
In short: The 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes season was defined by turmoil off the field and brilliance on it. Amidst coaching investigations and administrative leave, the team navigated a turbulent year to finish with a 13–1 record and a major bowl win.
The Buckeyes' 129th season began under a cloud of controversy. Shortly before the season started, head coach Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave following allegations regarding his knowledge of domestic violence incidents involving then-wide receivers coach Zach Smith. Smith was eventually fired in July 2018. Following an investigation, Meyer was suspended for three games for his handling of the situation, leaving Ryan Day to serve as acting head coach during that period.
Despite the leadership instability, the team's performance was historically significant. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins delivered a record-breaking campaign, throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns, both of which set new school records. His dominance earned him the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year title and a third-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. The offense was further bolstered by running backs J. K. Dobbins and Mike Weber, who combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards, and receiver Parris Campbell, who recorded 1,063 receiving yards.
The season was a rollercoaster of results. After an early victory over No. 15 TCU, the Buckeyes suffered a heavy 49–20 loss to Purdue. However, they rebounded to defeat No. 4 Michigan 62–39, securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, where they beat Northwestern 45–24. Although they finished sixth in the final College Football Playoff rankings—missing the playoffs for the second straight year—they concluded their season with a Rose Bowl victory over Washington. This game also marked the final appearance for Urban Meyer, who announced his retirement prior to the matchup.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
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