Pasadena, CA -Urban Meyer ends his coaching career at Ohio State with a win in the Rose Bowl. This is the first time Meyer has won the Granddaddy of them all.
The No.6 Buckeyes held on to defeat No. 9 Washington, 28-23, in the Rose Bowl on Tuesday in Pasadena. Meyer retires with a career record of 187-32 in 17 seasons at four schools and 12-3 in bowl games.
“This has always been a bucket list,” Meyer said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about as long as I’ve been watching Ohio State football, which is as long as I’ve been around. And it was everything and more. So thank you to the Rose Bowl people.”
Meyer’s coaching career includes three national championships and an .854 winning percentage, third best in FBS history.
“I’ve been blessed,” Meyer said. “I know this is relatively young, but I started young. 17 years as a head coach, 33 years doing this. And just very fortunate, and I do believe I’m done.”
Ohio State dominated the Huskies for three quarters, leading 28-3, but Washington mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter scoring three touchdowns.
Washington tailback Myles Gaskins threw a jump-pass touchdown to Drew Sample and scored from a yard out with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter to cut the lead, 28-17.
Gaskin’s scored on a 2-yard run with 42 seconds left in the game. The Huskies went for two points but Jake Browning’s pass was intercepted.
“Very frustrating when you start the first half like we started,” Washington head coach Doug Peterson said. “I had no idea why. It’s on me. It’s not these kids. They practiced hard.”
Dwayne Haskins got Ohio State on the board first with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Parris Campbell Jr. Washington’s only score of the first half was a 38-yard field goal by Peyton Henry.
Johnnie Dixon caught a 19-yard touchdown and tight end Rashod Berry hauled in another score in the second quarter to give Ohio State a 21-3 lead heading into halftime.
“We did a great job picking up some blitzes today, and we had to be efficient,” Haskins said. “But right now I’m excited to get this win. Excited to leave Coach with this victory for myself and the rest of the teammates. It’s a blessed situation right now.”
The Huskies’ offense couldn’t stay on the field in the first half as Ohio State forced quick three-and-outs and held Washington to 151 yards in the first half.
Ohio State took a 28-3 lead in the third quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by J.K. Dobbins.
Haskins passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Parris Campbell Jr. finished with 11 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.
“I have a school that I love dearly,” Meyer said. “I feel very welcome in Buckeye Nation and here and I’m an Ohioan. So my job as we move forward is to make Coach Day, who is an elite coach, make this program even stronger, and that’s all our focus.”
