Elliott, Ohio State too much for Notre Dame

GLENDALE, ARIZ. >> Ezekiel Elliott bulldozed his way into the end zone in the first half, showing off his strength as Ohio State’s drive capper.

He flashed his speed in the second, becoming the show stopper as he raced up the middle for a long run.

Those skills should translate well in the NFL. They certainly worked out for the Buckeyes over the past three seasons.

Elliott ran for 149 yards and matched a Fiesta Bowl record with four touchdowns to close the curtain on his college career, sparking No. 7 Ohio State’s prolific offense in a 4428 win over Notre Dame on Friday.

“With all due respect to all the other running backs in Ohio State history, my firstround draft pick, I’d pick Zeke Elliott,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s as good as any running back I’ve been around.”

The Buckeyes (12-1) were left out of the College Football Playoff thanks to an inopportune loss. They may leave the desert wondering what could have been after blowing past another late-season playoff contender.

Ohio State rolled

past

the

Fighting

Irish (10-3), quick-hitting its way to one scoring drive after another and 496 total yards.

Elliott, who’s leaving school early for the NFL, scored on three short runs first half and left Notre Dame defenders flailing as he raced past them for a 47-yard score to open the second.

J.T. Barrett gave the Buckeyes some balance, throwing for 211 yards and a score with 96 yards rushing in the highest-scoring game against Notre Dame’s defense this season.

Ohio State’s seniors finished 50-4, tying the FBS record set by Boise State’s 2011 class for most wins in a four-year span.

“It’s been a wild journey with this team, something I couldn’t even imagine,” Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple said.

The Fighting Irish had some good offensive moments behind DeShone Kizer after Buckeyes star defensive end Joey Bosa was ejected for targeting in the first quarter.

They just couldn’t keep up with the blistering Buckeyes after a string of injuries, including do-everything linebacker Jaylon Smith to a knee injury in the first quarter.

“The guy is so impactful on our defense,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. “You lose a guy like that early on, it significantly affects what you’re doing defensively.”