Former Buckeyes' HC Urban Meyer Recounts the Shocking Start of the Cardale Jones Era

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The 2014-15 Ohio State Buckeyes had their sights set on the National Championship. They slipped up early in the season against the Virginia Tech Hokies in what was an all-time classic game. 

They then ripped off nine straight wins in The Horseshoe against the Michigan Wolverines, with a chance to complete the regular season and give themselves a chance to make the college football playoffs.

They were in a back-and-forth game until starting quarterback JT Barrett went down with what looked to be a significant injury, and as it turned out, it was.

Barrett broke his leg, and the Buckeyes had a huge game to win. The guy who was going to be responsible for that was Cardale Jones. 

Former Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer recounts the story of having to look a young Jones in the eyes and trying to convince him that he could get the job done, even if Meyer himself didn't believe it.

Meyer remembers screaming at Cardale, "You can do it," but while he jogged onto the field, he totally believed that he couldn't do it. 

Truthfully, he didn't have to do much to beat the Wolverines. He just steadied the ship and handed the ball off to Ezekiel Elliot to win them the football game.

Then, the legend of "12 Gauge" was born. Jones went on the best three game stretch that a backup could possibly go on.

Against all odds and Ohio State needing a convincing win to even have a chance at the Playoffs, Jones went into the Big Ten Championship and tore the roof off of Lucas Oil Stadium.

He finished that game 12-17 for 257 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 59-0 win over the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers. It was that performance that got the Buckeyes into the College Football Playoff, but just barely.

Jones wasn't done yet. He took his Buckeyes up against the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, who were basically a shoo-in for the Championship. Jones and Elliot had other plans. Jones finished throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown to beat the Tide and send the Buckeyes to the National Championship.

For his final act, he went toe-to-toe with Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks, and they didn't stand a chance. Jones threw for 242 yards and a touchdown as the Buckeyes hoisted the 2014 championship trophy and capped off a legendary run.

Meyer had a front row seat for when Cardale Jones became "12-Gauge" when no one believed that he could, including Jones and even Meyer himself.

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