Scarlet Sunrise: Recapping what C.J. Stroud said during Heisman Trophy ceremony

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•12/11/22•

andybackstrom

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Recapping what C.J. Stroud said during Heisman Trophy ceremony

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. He received 37 first-place votes and 539 total points. Stroud, a repeat finalist this season, earned only 12 first-place votes and 399 total points when he got fourth place as a redshirt freshman last year.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams won the award. Williams and TCU quarterback Max Duggan were the clear No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in every region’s voting.

Here are the numbers from the top-four vote getters:

Even though Stroud was outside the top two for the second year in a row, he did make his own Buckeyes history. Stroud is actually Ohio State’s first two-time Heisman finalist. When program legend Archie Griffin won the award twice in 1974-75 — the running back is the only college football player to ever achieve that feat — the Heisman Trust was not naming finalists. It didn’t start that process until 1982.

Stroud was introduced for Friday night’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City by 2011 award winner Robert Griffin III (Baylor), who asked Stroud about dealing with doubters in his career. After all, Stroud was an under-the-radar high school prospect before he won the Elite 11 Finals and his recruiting took off for the 2020 cycle.

“I definitely think it’s been a lot of hard work to go into it,” Stroud said, via ESPN. “But it’s just put a chip on my shoulder. Very motivating. I don’t really try to prove people wrong. I try to prove myself right.”

Stroud, like the other three Heisman finalists, was accompanied by his family for a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Stroud’s mother, Kimberly, spoke of her son’s determination to make a difference and leave a legacy, on and off the field. She called him her “inspiration.”

Rowe asked Stroud about his journey to Friday night.

“A lot of early mornings, late nights,” he said. “Just trying to really get back to this spot, and a lot of team goals I wanted to reach this year—I’m trying my best to get everything done. I’m really just appreciative of being back here.

“I definitely think that I’m not here for no reason. I think God is not done with me yet. So I’m really excited to get back in the Playoff, and I’m really excited for that game. Just really juiced up for that.”

READ: Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud finishes third in Heisman Trophy voting

READ: Three stats that made C.J. Stroud a Heisman Trophy finalist

Buckeyes promote key offensive staffer Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach

It was only a matter of time before Ohio State offensive staffer Keenan Bailey got his shot as a position coach. He’s getting that opportunity with the Buckeyes. Bailey, currently serving as a senior advisor to head coach Ryan Day, will be Ohio State’s next tight ends coach. He’ll replace Kevin Wilson in that role.

Wilson — also the Buckeyes offensive coordinator the last six seasons — is taking over as Tulsa’s head coach after the College Football Playoff.

Bailey, 27, joined the Ohio State coaching staff in 2016. Since arriving, he has worked with just about every Buckeyes position group on the offensive side of the ball, most recently drawing praise from Ohio State tight ends and wide receivers for his help in their on-field development.

Before coming to Columbus, Bailey was a recruiting analyst at Notre Dame, his alma mater.

Ohio State women’s volleyball falls short of first Final Four appearance since 1994

Ohio State women’s volleyball made its first Elite Eight since 2004 amid a memorable 22-win season, but the Buckeyes couldn’t get their 23rd victory Friday to advance to their first Final Four since 1994.

The program bowed out to top-seeded and one-loss Texas in four sets. Texas won the first stanza. Ohio State bounced back by winning eight of the final nine points of the second frame, which the Buckeyes claimed.

Except, from there, the Longhorns reestablished momentum, taking the third set decisively and pulling out a back-and-forth fourth set for the match victory.

Ohio State swept Tennessee State and sixth-seeded USC in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament before besting second-seeded Minnesota, 3-1, in the Sweet Sixteen.

Counting down

Peach Bowl: 20 days away

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 349 days

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