Stroud’s brilliant Rose Bowl bodes well for 2022 season
LOS ANGELES — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud entered the Rose Bowl missing two of his three top receivers.
Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson each chose to not risk an injury that would jeopardize their status as almost-certain first-round NFL draft picks.
All Stroud did was nearly break an alltime bowl record for passing yards in the Buckeyes’ 48-45 epic over Utah.
The redshirt freshman completed 37 of 46 passes for 573 yards and six touchdowns. Only Brigham Young’s Ty Detmer and Marshall’s Byron Leftwich, with 576 apiece, have thrown for more yardage in a bowl game.
Impressive as it was, it’s an even better sign for next season. It was a given that Olave and Wilson would be gone in 2022.
The questions entering the Rose Bowl were: 1) Could sophomore Jaxon Smithnjigba shine without a defense’s attention diverted by the need to cover Olave and Wilson? and 2) Could Stroud establish in-game chemistry with other young receivers he’d have to count on next year?
He provided an emphatic answer. Stroud’s first throw to Smith-njigba was a deep shot broken up by Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III.
Smith-njigba had a step on Phillips, but the ball was underthrown.
After that, the connection between Stroud and Smith-njigba was perfect on all 15 targets. Smith-njigba's 347 receiving yards set a record for any bowl.
Utah's depleted secondary was no match for Smith-njigba's route-running, and he was often open over the middle.
But Stroud was accurate on throws with tight windows as well. His final touchdown, a 30-yarder on which Smith-njigba made an over-the-shoulder catch, was a thing of beauty.
Smith-njigba and Stroud have had terrific chemistry all year. Smith-njigba entered the game leading the team in receptions and yards, even if he was often overshadowed by Olave and Wilson.
“We came in as freshman together, came in early (in January 2020),” Stroud said. “We were throwing the first day. Scout-team last year, we really built it. This doesn't surprise me at all. When I heard the numbers, I didn't really notice because he does this all the time.”
Stroud's chemistry with the other receivers was more of a question. Marvin Harrison Jr. had caught five passes all season. He had six on Saturday, including three touchdowns.
It's a testament to Ryan Day's confidence in Harrison and Stroud that the Ohio State coach called a pass into the end zone to the true freshman on fourthand-1 from the 25 with the Buckeyes trailing 14-0.
But coaches and teammates have raved about Harrison's play in practice all season, and he patiently waited for his opportunity. Harrison made a difficult catch just inside the sideline for the score that started the Buckeyes' comeback.
Stroud also made difficult completions to freshman Emeka Egbuka and sophomore Julian Fleming.
He completed 71.9% for the season with 4,435 passing yards. Stroud threw for 44 touchdowns with only six interceptions as he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
In three of Ohio State's last four
games, Stroud completed at least 80% of his passes. The exception came in the loss against Michigan.
“I think what motivated us wasn't just this game, but the previous game,” Stroud said. “I know that was my motivation, just getting that bad taste out of our team's mouth and ending the season the right way and sending our seniors off the right way. That was probably the most important thing for me.”
Stroud is from suburban Los Angeles. He grew up less than an hour from Pasadena and relished the chance to play in front of his family and friends.