Social Reactions: A Hobbled Ohio State Wins in the Most Improbable Way Imaginable

Okay, I'll admit it: I thought Ohio State was dead in the water. I know that in situations like this it's cooler to claim that no, actually, I knew the Buckeyes were going to pull it out the entire time and I never lost the faith, but that is not the case here. After the first half I was resigned to just laughing at the insanity of it all, but then, uh, Ohio State won? With some of the greatest performances in any bowl game, ever?

Sure, okay.

THE TEAM

CHAMPS. Group of Fighters. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ANTYZqlZYv
— Al Washington (@CoachWash56) January 2, 2022

Julian Fleming got those Rose Bowl victory vibes pic.twitter.com/hwkXC9Ifs4
— kevin (@kevcharles112) January 2, 2022

Full circle pic.twitter.com/t9veGdQ2Qv
— Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) January 2, 2022

Rose bowl Champs
— Thayer Munford Jr (@TMunford75) January 2, 2022

Not a Bad start to the New Year! @OhioStateFB #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/eJzuINa3Ao
— Corey Dennis (@CoreyDennis_) January 2, 2022

Rose bowl champs
— Zachary Harrison (@zacharrison_) January 2, 2022

Rose bowl champs!!!! Love my team
— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) January 2, 2022

Congrats congrats!! Proud of you @TreVeyonH4 https://t.co/yo17L19SuG
— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) January 2, 2022

LFG GREAT JOB FELLASCONGRATULATIONS #THEOHIOSTATEUNIVERSITY
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett_) January 2, 2022

That was fun!

ROSE BOWL CHAMPS #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/9Q8tgwe0MJ
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) January 2, 2022

THE ALUMNI

Idk whats going on with OSUs defense behind the d line but it aint pretty. Im excited to see what young players step up next season as playmakers
— Michael Bennett IV (@mike96bennett) January 1, 2022

I see the potential in these young receivers. Now this defense idk.. we gotta figure this thing out EXPEDITIOUSLY!
— Tyvis Powell (@1Tyvis) January 1, 2022

I know Utah winning and all that but whoever that was on the sideline with the 08 chingy grill send his ass to the locker room
— Adolphus Washington (@awashington_92) January 1, 2022

Well that was an interesting first half.
— Jeff Okudah (@jeffokudah) January 1, 2022

O-H@Jkdobbins22 is back at the #RoseBowl showing his @OhioStateFB love! pic.twitter.com/te70EV4RNl
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) January 1, 2022

JSN gonna have 300 receiving yards.
— Dionte' (@DionteSays) January 1, 2022

For anyone counting, this is the 5th player whos been down long enough to warrant a commercial break during a bowl game. You take risks every time you step on that field.
— Michael Bennett IV (@mike96bennett) January 2, 2022

Cade Stover is a football player. Needs to stay on defense. All over field. Special teams too
— Andrew Sweat (@sweatandrew) January 2, 2022

CJ Stroud went DUMMY tonight, Buckeye Nation give that man his flowers!
— Adam Griffin (@yunggriffsays) January 2, 2022

Greatest performance by a college player I've ever seen! #thatshowyoubegreat #11#GoBucks
— Santonio Holes Jr. (@ToneTime10) January 2, 2022

Insane sniper @jaxon_smith1 wow. You went campus legend mode ! https://t.co/fOhgOMTpFs
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 2, 2022

Ill tell you right now- that game was ugly at times for OSU, but thats easily the most exciting game Ive ever witnessed. Energy in the Rose Bowl was tangible and this win showed OSU can fight! Congrats to the Rose Bowl Champs @OhioStateFB
— Joshua E Perry (@RIP_JEP) January 2, 2022

I DID THIS IN 2003 FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, EXCEPT IT WAS ON A BUS AND I WAS ON A SWIM TEAM

All huddled waiting to deplane, watching the end of the @ohiostatefb game. No rush to get out into the single-digit temps outside. pic.twitter.com/NlINDKjurx
— Gary Petit (@GPetitOSU) January 2, 2022

THE REST

Less than an hour to go! #RoseBowl #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/1V61tuFNY2
— Kristina M. Johnson (@PresKMJohnson) January 1, 2022

C.J. Stroud to Kyle McCord in warmups. pic.twitter.com/jDujzeD5eY
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) January 1, 2022

https://t.co/l2TNFIKhHE pic.twitter.com/ir2Lu9jToU
— lukezim (@lukezim) January 1, 2022

grandkids # 3 - 7 in the house supporting the Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/8HPddnqbdL
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) January 1, 2022

Script Ohios at the Rose Bowl! pic.twitter.com/Ft5SiRGSGo
— Caroline Rice (@carolinerice19) January 1, 2022

What a catch by Emeka Egbuka pic.twitter.com/QsxLZ9BTp7
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2022

Im not a fan of Ohio St (still not over the 1997 Rose Bowl). But @Brutus_Buckeye jumped off the OSU float this morning just to say hi and take a picture with Jackson. And now I dislike OSU a lot less. What a moment. Thank you @OhioStAthletics. #RoseParade pic.twitter.com/B0Wj1025sA
— Jared Aarons (@10NewsAarons) January 1, 2022

Light up the stadium pic.twitter.com/pWJnEo97bU
— mackenzie (@_macshanklin) January 2, 2022

WHAT. A. GRAB.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba pic.twitter.com/vYFB8XyZm0
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 2, 2022

JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA HAS 327 RECEIVING YARDS.

The most by any player in any bowl game in college football history pic.twitter.com/WsZD081cbQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2022

Postgame Buckeye proposal. This Rose Bowl game really did have everything. pic.twitter.com/K5foGGGISV
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) January 2, 2022

After the play watch the kicker #95 with his EPIC trash talk!! #nowords #OSU #RoseBowlChamps22 pic.twitter.com/hQRJFB65jb
— BuckeyeChick2123 (@GoBucks2123) January 2, 2022

This NEVER gets old #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/qalXB3IeEj
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 2, 2022

"Our team is built on fighting. It doesnt matter if we're up, down - we were down the first half but we just had to stay level headed and keep fighting" - @jaxon_smith1 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/bbjwcWG0av
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 2, 2022

To sum up our night #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/iTFqUuqUOx
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 2, 2022

So! All in all, not a terrible way to end a very weird season indeed! Obviously a ton for Ryan Day and Jim Knowles to work on, but it'll be fascinating to watch them cook in the offseason.