GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Ezekiel Elliott stood in his usual spot on the podium during the Fiesta Bowl celebration after Ohio State's 44-28 win over Notre Dame, so there was some familiarity for Urban Meyer when it came time to pass over the trophy.
Elliott grabbed the golden Fiesta Bowl football from Meyer, kissed it, then held it up in the air like he did with the national title trophy in Dallas a year ago.
Then something unfamiliar happened.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett was named the Fiesta Bowl's offensive MVP despite the fact that Elliott rushed for 149 yards and four touchdowns, a rather routine performance considering what he did during the Buckeyes improbable postseason last season.