Aidan Hutchinson takes shot at CJ Stroud, Buckeyes in Heisman ceremony
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is no friend of Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, and that showed Saturday. During the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Hutchinson offered a reminder to Stroud and everyone in attendance of the Wolverines’ 42-27 victory against the Buckeyes this season.
“The main mission was to come back, beat Ohio State and win a Big Ten Championship,” Hutchinson said. “We did those things so now we’re in the playoffs and we’ve got a chance.”
“Hey, Kenny,” Tim Tebow cut in. “I’m glad you’re in between them.”
Hutchinson terrorized Stroud and the Ohio State offense, coming away with three sacks in that game. The victory was the first against the Buckeyes for Michigan in the Jim Harbaugh era, and earned them a trip to the Big Ten Championship, where they dominated Iowa by score of 42-3.
The Wolverines defensive end ranks third in the FBS in sacks with 14, and his 73 quarterback pressures lead the country. He is in rarified air, as only 13 defensive players have finished among the top five in Heisman voting in the past 50 seasons. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young was the most recent in 2019.
The Buckeyes were the favorite out of the Big Ten to make the College Football Playoff for most of the season. However, Hutchinson’s defensive performance against them, which also included 14 quarterback pressures, put those hopes to rest.
The Wolverines finished the season at No. 2, earning their first trip to the CFP since its inception in 2014. They are set to take on Georgia in the Orange Bowl with a trip to the national title game on the line.
CJ Stroud finished fourth in the Heisman voting, while Aidan Hutchinson took second place. A freshman, the Buckeyes quarterback finished this season with 3,862 yards passing, 38 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Ohio State earned trip to the Rose Bowl, where it will take on Utah.