Hesitant from the start and lethargic down the stretch, No. 13 Ohio State suffered the embarrassment of a 16-point beating at Indiana amid a second straight subpar performance from E.J. Liddell, who shot 2-of-13 and got thoroughly outplayed by IU's Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Freshman Malaki Branham exploded for 35 points and the Buckeyes needed every one of them to outlast Nebraska in overtime on Sunday night and win their fifth straight game.
Records were set, CJ Stround and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (below) left a lasting impression on the record books, and the Buckeyes overcame their worst defensive effort in years to overtake Utah and win the 108th Rose Bowl on a last-second field goal. Mark Znidar writes the story for Sunday's Press Pros.
Senior Thayer Munford was back at left tackle and backup Matthew Jones was at left guard Wednesday during a practice for the Rose Bowl. Not having Olave and Wilson has made Smith-Njigba the No. 1 receiver and punt returner.
Ryan Day doesn't dare say anything bad about the players who are choosing to sit out the Rose Bowl or opponents will use it against him in recruiting, but it's impossible to believe any coach smiles inside when players prioritize self over team. (PressPros File Photos)
