The national championship game is less than a week away, along with all the anticipation and tension that comes with it. But it appears that members of the Ohio State roster don’t seem to be having trouble keeping things loose.
In addition to preparations for the showdown against Marcus Mariota and the dominant Oregon Ducks on Jan.12, sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones has even gotten a little goofy during media scrums–cool behavior for a third-stringer-turned starter about to face off against a Heisman Trophy-winning QB.
USA Today Sports reported Tuesday that quarterback Jones interrupted an interview that teammate/roommate Tyvis Powell was conducting by running and doing a cartwheel in the background. USA Today reporter Nicole Auerbach even posted a video of the Jones’ gymnastics routine on Twitter.
You have to admit, that’s pretty impressive for a guy listed at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 250-pounds.
Granted, the photobomb-worthy flips were just a backdrop for Powell’s character-infused interview, but it shows how the young Buckeye has settled into the starting role. As pointed out by Brian Bennett of ESPN.com, Jones has “defied belief” after leading the Buckeyes to victories over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game and again in the 42-35 upset over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. (He only completed 18 of 35 passes and threw an interception, but he did settle in down the stretch.) Cardale could be biting his nails as the days wind down until the showdown in Arlington, Texas. Instead, he’s prancing and cartwheel-ing across the practice field.
But is he getting too amped off pursuing a victory in the inaugural championship game? His teammates certainly don’t think so.
Marcus Outzen told ESPN: “To do what he’s done in his first two games, I guarantee you there’s no doubt in my mind, or in his team’s mind, about his ability to win the next one.”
That next one being the first ever College Football Championship Game in Arlington on Monday, Jan.12.
*Section Photo credit to Sean Gardner, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Matthew Emmons, USA Today Sports.
