DALLAS – The last time Ohio State walked off the field at AT&T Stadium, it did so as the first national champions of the College Football Playoff era. Three seasons later, a title isn't on the line, but a chance to end the season with a victory is.
The Buckeyes returned to Dallas on Dec. 23 in preparation for the 2017 Cotton Bowl and re-entered AT&T Stadium on Christmas Day for practice for the first time since defeating Oregon, 42-20, in the 2015 CFP national title game.
Ohio State senior center Billy Price, the lone returning starter from the national title team, said stepping back into AT&T Stadium brought back memories of confetti angels and much more from the 2015 game to cap the 2014-15 season.
"It brings back so many memories, especially being in the same locker room," Price said Tuesday. "My locker is two down from the one I had back in 2014 when we won the national championship. Those memories, those feelings, those emotions, especially in the week leading up to the national championship. Being around the guys, there are some similarities in the emotions."
While Price has a unique perspective of having played in the game as a starter, other players on Ohio State's roster were merely spectators when the Buckeyes hoisted the playoff trophy.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was a freshman in 2014, and said he spent the bowl prep on the scout team that season, even playing the role of Amari Cooper prior to Ohio State's matchup with Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Now that he is a starter for the Buckeyes, he said while the stadium brings certain feelings and emotions back, his role is significantly different than it was when Ohio State last played in Arlington, Texas.
"You get that feel back. My role is different from then and now so I have a different mindset. I'm really preparing to win the game, where I was preparing just to get the defense ready. So that's different," McLaurin said. "But you go into that big stadium, it kind of takes your breath away, especially (since) it's the Dallas Cowboys. But you also kind of compartmentalize and focus, especially when you're going to be a big part of the game plan."
H-back Parris Campbell echoed McLaurin's memories, adding that even though he didn't play in the game, the memories are still fresh.
"I was redshirted so I wasn't playing. Even for me now, I got chills still playing the game," Campbell said. "But I can only imagine what it was like for those guys that had an extreme role in that game. But it was different, something that you really can't describe."
During that time, current Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins was an underclassman in high school, playing for La Grange High School, which sits about 3.5 hours from AT&T Stadium.
Dobbins said Tuesday that even as a young high school player, Ohio State winning a national championship in the state of Texas played into his decision to become a Buckeye.
"It had a big influence on me because who doesn't like winners? I felt like if I came and played for them, I could come and win a national championship in that position," Dobbins said. "It's something you dream about."
While Ohio State doesn't have the chance to play for a national title this season, the significance of the bowl game isn't lost on the Buckeyes, especially Price.
"Somebody asked me earlier, 'Do you think it is going to take any more energy to get lifted up (for this game)?' And I'm like, 'Why are you asking me that?' It's a football game, it's a championship game," Price said. "I don't think there are any other games on Dec. 29. We are the only game on. If you can't get up for that, just get the hell out of here."