In the storied history of Ohio State football, moments of clutch brilliance have become almost expected. The Buckeyes are one of college football’s most iconic programs, boasting decades of sustained excellence, legendary players, and unforgettable performances. Among the thousands of games played since the turn of the century, there have been select moments when individual players rose above the chaos, pressure, and stakes to deliver season-saving, title-clinching, or legacy-defining performances. In the last 25 years, few teams have produced as many heroic efforts under the brightest lights as Ohio State. These five clutch performances stand out not just for their impact on the scoreboard, but for what they meant to the program’s history and national reputation.
One of the most iconic clutch moments in Ohio State football came from Craig Krenzel during the 2002 national championship season. Often underestimated due to his modest statistics, Krenzel consistently made winning plays when it mattered most. None was bigger than the 4th-and-14 conversion against Purdue in November 2002. The Buckeyes were trailing 6-3 late in the fourth quarter, and their perfect season was hanging by a thread. On a do-or-die play, Krenzel dropped back and launched a 37-yard pass to Michael Jenkins, who made the catch in stride and took it into the end zone. The play, now immortalized in Buckeye lore as “Holy Buckeye,” kept Ohio State’s undefeated season alive and set the stage for their national title run. Krenzel’s poise and ability to deliver under immense pressure gave the team confidence throughout that championship campaign, particularly in the double-overtime thriller against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Though not flashy, Krenzel was a clutch leader who refused to lose, and his defining throw remains one of the most memorable in college football history.
In the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game, Cardale Jones produced a performance that redefined what it means to rise to the occasion. Jones, who had been third on the depth chart to begin the year, was thrust into the starting role after J.T. Barrett broke his ankle in the final regular-season game against Michigan. With Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes on the line, the Buckeyes faced Wisconsin in a must-win game. Many doubted whether Jones, a physically gifted but untested backup, could handle the pressure. Instead, he delivered one of the most clutch debuts in college football history. He threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns, including a 39-yard strike to Devin Smith that set the tone early. Ohio State routed Wisconsin 59-0, sending a message to the playoff committee and the rest of the country. Jones’ combination of arm strength, composure, and confidence galvanized the team, and his heroic performance didn’t stop there. He followed it up with wins over Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff, but it was his first game under the lights in Indianapolis that proved he could be counted on in the biggest moments.
Another unforgettable clutch performance came from quarterback Justin Fields in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson. Though the game ended in heartbreak for Ohio State, Fields showed incredible resolve, grit, and leadership in a high-stakes environment. Coming into the game, Ohio State was undefeated and facing a Clemson team that hadn’t lost in nearly two years. Fields was battling a knee injury, and the Buckeyes were seeking revenge for previous playoff disappointments. Despite adversity and some controversial officiating calls, Fields threw for 320 yards and a touchdown, while orchestrating multiple drives that kept the Buckeyes in the game. One of the most clutch plays came late in the fourth quarter with Ohio State trailing 29-23. On a 4th-and-1 deep in his own territory, Fields called his own number and picked up the first down, keeping the season alive. Later, he led the team down the field for a potential game-winning drive before a miscommunication on the final play resulted in an interception. While the ending was painful, Fields’ ability to put the team on his back and keep fighting showed immense clutch character. His calm under fire and ability to deliver in critical moments cemented his place as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in Buckeye history.
Ezekiel Elliott’s run during the 2014 postseason stands as one of the most dominant and timely stretches in recent college football memory. While the entire three-game run was phenomenal, his clutch performance against Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl was particularly defining. Facing a Crimson Tide defense that had stifled opponents all year, Elliott ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85-yard dagger late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game. That run, breaking through the line and racing past Alabama defenders, became the signature moment of Ohio State’s playoff run. Elliott’s vision, acceleration, and power made him a nightmare for defenses, but it was his ability to take over games at the most crucial moments that elevated him to legendary status. The run against Alabama wasn’t just a clutch play—it was a message to the nation that Ohio State was for real and would not be intimidated. He followed it up with a 246-yard, four-touchdown masterpiece against Oregon in the national title game, but it was his domination of Alabama that truly turned the tide.
Perhaps the most emotionally charged clutch performance of the last 25 years came from J.T. Barrett in the 2017 comeback win over Penn State. Trailing 35-20 with less than eight minutes to go, Barrett engineered one of the most remarkable finishes in Ohio State history. He completed his final 13 passes, including three touchdown strikes, to lead the Buckeyes to a 39-38 victory in front of a stunned Ohio Stadium crowd. Barrett threw for 328 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, but it was his composure, accuracy, and leadership down the stretch that made the performance special. With everything on the line in a top-10 showdown that had major playoff implications, Barrett took control of the offense and never looked rattled. He dissected Penn State’s defense with surgical precision, finding his receivers in stride and making all the right reads. The go-ahead touchdown to Marcus Baugh with under two minutes left sent the stadium into a frenzy and capped off a comeback that showcased Barrett’s unshakeable belief in himself and his team. It was the ultimate redemption moment for a quarterback who had faced criticism throughout his career, and it solidified his legacy as one of Ohio State’s all-time clutch performers.
Each of these moments tells a story not just about talent, but about heart, resolve, and timing. Krenzel’s unlikely heroics, Jones’ sudden emergence, Fields’ warrior-like effort, Elliott’s bulldozing brilliance, and Barrett’s unforgettable comeback—these are chapters in a saga that define Ohio State’s resilience and championship DNA. They represent what it means to be clutch: delivering when everything is on the line, when there is no safety net, and when the world is watching. For Buckeye fans, these moments aren’t just highlights—they’re lifelines to the program’s tradition of greatness. In the ever-changing landscape of college football, where stars shine and fade, these five efforts remain immortal—etched into the hearts of fans and stitched into the fabric of Ohio State football history.
