Ohio State: Five plays that fueled Buckeyes run to Big Ten Championship

INDIANAPOLIS — Sure, Ohio State earned its spot in the Big Ten Championship this season with a shot at the College Football Playoff on the line after going 11-1.

But looking back, the Buckeyes would not be here without the help of a few huge plays that went their way.

Plenty of moments standout that could be considered vital to the program’s run to Indianapolis for the second-straight season, but here are five that were pivotal to give Ohio State the opportunity to win the Big Ten and possibly head to the College Football Playoff.

Before kickoff on Saturday against Northwestern, Lettermen Row is looking at those five plays that got the Buckeyes to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Binjimen Victor’s acrobatics at Penn State

If I had to narrow down one play as a turning point during the season for Ohio State, this would likely be the current leader.

Trailing 26-14 with just under seven minutes left in Happy Valley, Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes offense needed to score quickly in order to have any chance at leaving those Whiteout conditions with a victory. Haskins stepped up in the pocket and fired a strike to Binjimen Victor across the middle, who did the rest and somehow maneuvered his way to the end zone to cut the lead to five at that point.

As we now know, Ohio State would go on to score again and leave an upset Nittany Lion Nation in shambles.

 K.J. Hill delivers one-handed masterpiece

This was not the most important play of the Buckeyes season whatsoever, but it sure provided a momentum shift in a moment and game where Ohio State needed it.

Trailing 14-10 late in the first half, Haskins and the offense were creating long drives but could not convert them into touchdowns. After an 11-play drive ended with a turnover on downs on the Golden Gophers 18-yard line, the Buckeyes were handed a gift of a fumble three plays later and made sure to take advantage this time.

Haskins found a wide-open K.J. Hill on a seam route down the middle, but the throw was slightly behind the Ohio State receiver. No problem, though, as Hill proved he needed only one hand all the way to the end zone.

Dre’Mont Jones finds paydirt

The Buckeyes defense has produced question marks in multiple areas this season, but the Silver Bullets have shown signs of life at times and had a turnover party in East Lansing earlier this season.

Along with another fumble and a late-game interception, one of the most important plays of the game was the blundered direct snap from the Spartans on their own goal line which Dre’Mont Jones gladly jumped on for six and his second touchdown of the year.

Failed two-point conversion at Maryland

If I would have decided before the season that I was going to write this piece, I likely would not have planned to include a play from the Buckeyes matchup with Maryland. But that one got wild, so here we are.

After providing a Big 12-type shootout for four quarters in College Park last month, Ohio State and Maryland headed into overtime tied 45-45. After trading touchdown, Maryland decided to try to go for two for the win and to end the playoff dreams for Oho State. Luckily for the Scarlet and Gray, Terrapins quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome missed an open receiver thanks in part to some pressure from Tuf Borland, and the very fortunate victory allowed the Buckeyes to move on to The Game.

Chris Olave swings The Game

When it came to narrowing down the most important play of the Buckeyes season, I think just based on the situation that Binjime Victor’s touchdown in Happy Valley takes the crown. However, I would say that a very close No. 2 was Chris Olave’s third big play of The Game last week.

After already kicking off his coming out party with two touchdown catches, the San Diego native further cemented his name in the rivalry’s history by providing a spark on the Buckeyes special teams late in the third quarter. Olave looped around on a stunt and took the ball right off the punter’s foot, sending it airborne, into the hands of Sevyn Banks and into the end zone.

Urban Meyer has said following the game that Greg Schiano specifically selected Olave because of his speed and determination, and we all saw why on the biggest stage.