GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ezekiel Elliott took the handoff from J.T. Barrett, busted through the hole and scampered toward the end zone. As Ohio State’s star running back crossed the goal line without being touched 47 yards later, he dropped the ball from his right hand. Elliott then turned his palms toward the roof at University of Phoenix Stadium and shrugged.
Elliott was paying homage to his teammate and close friend, All-American defensive end Joey Bosa, who was ejected in the first quarter of Friday’s Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame after a questionable targeting penalty call.