He was in pain during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Clemson, but Justin Fields led Ohio State to victory with six touchdown passes in the matchup.
The talented quarterback took a shot to his ribs from James Skalski at linebacker; however, he remained in the game and recorded a performance for the ages.
In trying to win his first national championship for the Buckeyes, Fields enters a contest versus another solid defense that is clicking at the right time. Alabama has generated 34 sacks this season, including 29 coming since the Georgia game. Fields has played in the least amount of games (seven) for quarterback in the College Football Playoff; nevertheless, he has nearly been sacked the most times.
The 6-foot-3, 228-pound junior has been dropped 20 times, with eight sacks combined against Indiana and Northwestern. Both schools collected five interceptions total off Fields, due to the pressure.
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Despite the discomfort he endured, Fields had one message to reporters for the CFP National Championship showdown.
“I’ll be good come Monday night,” he said.
In terms of how the treatment of his ribs were handled, Fields said he trusts Ohio State’s medical staff.
“Those guys handled it the way I would have wanted it to be handled,” he said. “They did what they thought was best.”
Fields said that Jim Borchers (Buckeyes’ team doctor) and his staff did a full analysis on the injury.
He has accounted for 26 touchdowns — 21 passing, five rushing — but Fields has also thrown six picks. As a native Georgian, he feels up to the challenge of taking on the Crimson Tide.
People will be waiting with anticipation for next Monday in Miami, Fla.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
