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Ohio State QB Justin Fields, LB Tuf Borland named MVPs for impressive Sugar Bowl upset of Clemson
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Friday’s Sugar Bowl proved to be a game for the ages for Ohio State!
Entering the contest, the Buckeyes were facing down Clemson, a team they lost to last season and that was looking to play in its third straight National Championship Game. Many expected Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers to roll without many giving a realistic shot to the Buckeyes.
Well, Ohio State flipped that script behind a legendary performance from quarterback Justin Fields. Not only did he outduel Lawrence, but he also broke multiple records in the process, including the Sugar Bowl record for passing touchdowns.
It comes as no surprise that he was named Offensive MVP after the game. Fields finished with 385 passings yards, over 400 yards of total offense, and produced six of Ohio State’s seven total touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Tuf Borland was awarded Defensive MVP honors. For the Buckeye defense, it was much more of a collective effort with the defensive line applying the pressure and Ohio State’s linebackers helping to shut down the running game.
For the game, Borland and the Ohio State defense held Clemson to just 44 yards rushing and 2.0 yards per carry. Star running back Travie Etienne was never able to get going, finishing with just 32 yards on 10 carries against the Buckeyes.
Now it’s up to Fields, Borland, and the rest of the Buckeyes to begin preparing for Nick Saban and No. 1 Alabama. It is no surprise that the Crimson Tide will enter that contest as the favorites.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.