**“BUCKEYE BRILLIANCE: Top 25 Ohio State Plays of the 21st Century Led by Iconic Moments from Championship Runs”**
The evolution of Ohio State football over the first 25 years of the 21st century has been defined by dominance, drama, and dazzling moments etched into the hearts of Buckeye fans across the nation. From championship triumphs to unforgettable individual heroics, the program has produced an unforgettable highlight reel that reflects not only success but a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Buckeyes’ three national championship runs—2002, 2014, and their 2020 College Football Playoff Final appearance—are loaded with defining plays, and those legendary sequences rightfully sit atop the pantheon of greatness. Yet, as we revisit the top 25 plays of the last quarter-century, the full scope of Ohio State’s football legacy unfolds in glorious fashion.
The 2002 season was a roller coaster of grit and resolve, culminating in one of the greatest national championship games in college football history. One of the defining moments came in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami, where safety Will Allen knocked down Ken Dorsey’s fourth-down pass in double overtime to seal the Buckeyes’ first national title since 1968. That single play became a symbol of resilience for a team that refused to back down. Earlier in that game, Maurice Clarett’s strip of Sean Taylor following an interception was not only a pivotal momentum swing but also one of the most heads-up plays ever witnessed on such a grand stage. Clarett’s awareness and determination typified the scrappy, never-say-die spirit of Jim Tressel’s squad.
The 2014 national championship run was a cinematic rise from adversity to glory. It’s impossible to discuss Ohio State’s top plays without recognizing Ezekiel Elliott’s iconic 85-yard touchdown run through the heart of the South in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama. That play not only gave birth to a legendary phrase but also broke the back of a dynasty, sending Ohio State to the national title game. In that same postseason, Cardale Jones connected with Devin Smith on a 47-yard bomb in the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin, the first of many moments that announced Jones as a force. Smith, known for his knack for big-time receptions, delivered multiple highlight-worthy catches over his career, each time with breathtaking elevation and elite ball-tracking ability.
When Ohio State met Oregon for the national championship in January 2015, it was Elliott again who stole the show with a 33-carry, 246-yard, four-touchdown masterpiece. His 42-yard touchdown run in the second half, shaking off defenders and sealing the win, was the exclamation point on a postseason for the ages. The 2014 run remains one of the most magical in college football history, and its plays are woven into the DNA of modern Buckeye football.
Ohio State’s 2020 College Football Playoff campaign, though it didn’t end in a title, produced moments just as unforgettable. Most notably, Justin Fields’ six-touchdown performance against Clemson in the semifinal was a performance of pure will. After taking a brutal hit from James Skalski that left him visibly in pain, Fields delivered one of the greatest revenge performances in playoff history. His 56-yard strike to Chris Olave after the injury was a blend of deep-ball perfection and poetic justice, considering Olave’s miscommunication on a route the year before had cost the Buckeyes a playoff win over the same Clemson team. Fields’ grit and execution in that game earned him a place among the most beloved Ohio State quarterbacks of all time.
Beyond the championship runs, numerous individual plays and performances have cemented their place in Ohio State lore. Ted Ginn Jr.’s electrifying opening kickoff return for a touchdown in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game against Florida was a lightning bolt moment, even if the game ultimately didn’t go Ohio State’s way. Ginn’s blazing speed and game-breaking ability made every touch a must-watch event. Likewise, Troy Smith’s unforgettable scramble and touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes against Michigan in 2005 remains one of the most iconic rivalry moments ever. Smith, a Heisman winner, had a knack for rising in the biggest games, and that play embodied his escapability and poise.
Speaking of “The Game,” Curtis Samuel’s walk-off touchdown in double overtime against Michigan in 2016 became an instant classic. It was a culmination of a gutsy drive that included J.T. Barrett’s infamous fourth-and-one conversion—a play that sparked endless debate and was perhaps the most consequential measurement in rivalry history. Samuel’s dash into the end zone sent Ohio Stadium into a frenzy and helped secure Urban Meyer’s undefeated record against Michigan.
In 2018, Dwayne Haskins burst onto the national scene with a fourth-quarter comeback against Penn State. Down 12 with eight minutes left, Haskins engineered two lightning-quick drives, capped by a 24-yard screen pass to K.J. Hill for the go-ahead score. The whiteout crowd fell silent as the Buckeyes clawed out a gritty win, largely thanks to Haskins’ calm and clutch play. That moment helped launch Haskins’ record-breaking season and solidified his legacy in Columbus.
Perhaps no list would be complete without Chris Olave, who became synonymous with precision and elegance on the field. His toe-tap touchdown against Indiana in 2020, catching a perfect back-corner throw from Fields, was a display of body control and chemistry. Similarly, Marvin Harrison Jr., the son of an NFL legend, began carving his own path with acrobatic touchdown grabs in 2022 and 2023, including a highlight-reel catch against Penn State where he absorbed contact, kept his feet, and outran the entire defense to the end zone. Each of his performances carried shades of greatness that hinted at a future first-round pick.
On the defensive side, Ohio State has consistently fielded game-changers. In 2019, Chase Young’s strip-sack of Wisconsin’s Jack Coan not only flipped the game but became the centerpiece of his Heisman campaign. His blend of speed, power, and technique was unmatched, and plays like that reminded fans of the Bosa brothers—Joey and Nick—each of whom had their own dominant moments, including game-sealing sacks and forced fumbles that shifted the balance of critical contests.
One of the more dramatic moments came in the 2017 win over Penn State when the Buckeyes erased an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter. J.T. Barrett was surgical down the stretch, completing 13 straight passes, including the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown to Marcus Baugh with under two minutes left. The sheer precision of that drive was a masterclass in composure and execution, lifting Barrett to legendary status among Buckeye quarterbacks.
Another unforgettable play was Braxton Miller’s 81-yard touchdown run against Nebraska in 2012. The shifty quarterback made defenders look foolish as he weaved and sprinted his way across the field. Miller, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, reinvented himself as a wide receiver later in his career, and even his one-handed spin move touchdown against Virginia Tech in 2015 as a receiver-quarterback hybrid was an instant viral sensation.
Ohio State’s special teams have also had their moments of glory. In 2014, Michael Thomas executed a flawless onside kick recovery against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl that shifted momentum. It was a subtle but essential play in one of the most epic playoff games in CFP history. And who can forget Cameron Johnston, the Aussie punter whose booming, precision kicks flipped field position and changed games subtly but significantly?
The Buckeyes have also experienced heartbreak and redemption on the field. The 2016 Fiesta Bowl shutout loss to Clemson could have left a stain, but the 2020 revenge game erased that bitterness with fierce ferocity. Such emotional swings only add weight to every play made in scarlet and gray.
Each of these 25 plays represents more than just athletic execution. They embody an era of dominance, defined by consistency in coaching, elite recruiting, and a culture that prizes winning and tradition. From Tressel’s quiet determination to Urban Meyer’s relentless intensity and Ryan Day’s modern offensive brilliance, the coaches have provided platforms for stars to shine. The supporting casts, from offensive linemen paving the way to linebackers filling gaps, helped turn those moments into milestones.
As the Buckeyes march toward the next 25 years, the bar has been set by the epic plays that shaped championships, rivalries, and legacies. The greatness of Ohio State football isn’t found in a single moment but in the seamless collection of spectacular feats, each contributing to one of the most storied programs in college football history. Whether it was a game-saving tackle, a last-second touchdown, or a breath-stealing deep pass, every play told part of a larger story—the story of Buckeye brilliance.
