After the Silver Bullets dominated an Alabama offense that came into the Sugar Bowl ranked 2nd in the nation converting 54.1% of its 3rd down tries by limiting them to just two conversions in 13 tries, many wondered if the Buckeye defense be up for an encore performance.
Not a problem.
Facing Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and a high-powered Oregon offense ranked 4th in the land in 3rd down conversions (51.6%), the Bullets again answered the bell holding the Ducks to just two conversions in 12 tries.
The suffocating performance on critical 3rd downs helped the defense hold the Ducks to 27 points and 88 yards below their season averages.
The only two conversions surrendered occurred on Oregon's next-to-last possession of the half but the Ducks could only muster a field goal after the Buckeyes held on 3rd and 4 from their own nine yard line to cut Ohio State's lead to 21-10 with less than a minute before intermission.
| POSS | DOWN AND DISTANCE | DESCRIPTION | DRIVE RESULT | SCORE (OSU - ORE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3RD AND 3 | MARIOTA INC PASS | PUNT | 0-7 |
| 3 | 3RD AND 12 | MARIOTA INC PASS | PUNT | 7-7 |
| 4 | 3RD AND 6 | MARIOTA INC PASS | PUNT | 14-7 |
| 5 | 3RD AND GOAL @ 7 | MARIOTA 4 YD RUN | TO ON DOWNS | 14-7 |
| 6 | 3RD AND 5 | MARIOTA SACKED (ADOLPHUS -5 YDS) | PUNT | 14-7 |
| 7 | 3RD AND 11 | MARIOTA 28 YD PASS | FG | 21-10 |
| 7 | 3RD AND 9 | MARIOTA 14 YD PASS | FG | 21-10 |
| 7 | 3RD AND 4 | MARIOTA INC PASS | FG | 21-10 |
| 10 | 3RD AND 4 | MARIOTA INC PASS | FG | 21-20 |
| 11 | 3RD AND 10 | MARIOTA INC PASS | PUNT | 28-20 |
| 12 | 3RD AND 26 | MARIOTA 19 YD PASS | PUNT | 35-20 |
| 13 | 3RD AND 11 | MARIOTA INC PASS | PUNT | 35-20 |
The chart don't lie. The Bullets forced Mariota into 3 of 10 passing on 3rd down for 61 yards and no touchdowns with two carries for -1 yard.
In the two College Football Playoff wins combined, the Bullets held Blake Sims and Mariota to a combined 6 of 18 passing for 83 yards and zero touchdowns against two interceptions on 3rd down and stopped both Bama and Oregon on 21 of 25 3rd down tries.
Pass the trophy. Please and thank you.
