I‘m sharing some thoughts on christening iconic plays with memorable names. I prefer the names below, but I realize the community is coalescing around different names. I respect the organic momentum that has already gathered, and I know that what develops naturally is what sticks. Curious to hear the thoughts of others.
“Fourth and Sawyer” – Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard scoop-and-score in the Cotton Bowl
- The scoop-and-score is all Jack Sawyer unassisted—Jack beats the right tackle, Jack causes the fumble, Jack shoves Ewers to the ground, Jack scoops the loose ball, and Jack rumbles 83 yards for a TD.
- With a nod to Sonny for obstructing potential pursuers, no other Buckeye really needed to do anything on this play—that’s why this play’s name can feature the name of a single player.
- And they were roommates!
“Irish Goodbye” – Jeremiah Smith’s 56-yard catch for a first down in the National Championship
- “Irish Goodbye” already has meaning as a rude way to leave a party, and this play was a rude was to dismiss the Irish from the Natty party.
- Calling this play “Third and Jeremiah” slightly devalues the contributions of other players—Will’s good read and perfect throw, and Treveyon’s great block on a blitz pickup, both of which were key.
- “Down-and-Player” should be reserved for Jack’s effort in “Fourth and Sawyer,” which was truly a solo effort, and therefore deserves to feature his name (see above).
“Crimson Avalanche” – Treveyon Henderson’s 66-yard TD in the Rose Bowl
- This play is bookended by telecast mistakes—it starts with Holly Rowe’s segment bleeding over any potential play-by-play call at the snap, and it ends with Chris Fowler’s “Crimson Avalanche” call.
- This would follow the naming convention of “Holy Buckeye” —that’s how the announcer called it, and it works.
- This play is great, but not quite top-tier post because we had other plays this post-season that were straight-up iconic.
- I think the “Crimson Avalanche” misnomer works in the context of the bungled telecast, the not-quite-iconic nature of this play, and the fact that I was so gleeful in that moment that I didn’t care about those mistakes.
