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Justin Fields, Chris Olave comment on mix-up that led to interception to end Fiesta Bowl
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Through the first 13 games of his career at Ohio State, Justin Fields threw a grand total of one interception. So it’s pretty ironic that the Buckeyes’ national championship dreams were ended by an interception on the final offensive possession of the season.
Trailing Clemson 29-23 with under two minutes to play in the Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State had picked up 52 yards on eight plays and were looking at scoring a go-ahead touchdown with time winding down. But on a 2nd-and-7 play from the 23-yard line, Fields had a miscommunication with wide receiver Chris Olave and tossed his second pick of the game, this time to Nolan Turner.
Fields had made so few mistakes throughout the season, it was surprising to see Ohio State’s season end on that one. After the game, both Fields and Olave were asked about the play and the mix-up in the end zone.
“It was a one-on-one with me on the safety, and I was supposed to run the post,” Olave said after the game. “But when I looked back, I thought he scrambled, so I tried to work the second part of my route. he ended up throwing it, and that’s how the game ended.”
Fields said Ohio State got the look it wanted, but that there was a miscommunication right as he was throwing the football.
“It was the look we wanted and Chris — it was basically just a miscommunication,” Fields said. “That happens in life. You really can’t do anything about it now, so you just have to move on.”
Fields ended the day completing 30-of-46 passes for 320 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Olave had three catches for 50 yards and a score. Both played well, but couldn’t connect on that last drive.
Ohio State finished the season with a 13-1 record and a third-straight B1G title.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB