COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott apologized for the critical comments he made about play calling after the Michigan State game and says it was the wrong time to make it known he would not be returning to school next season.
Elliott posted a long apology on Twitter on Monday saying, “My intentions were not to point fingers at anyone for OUR failures. I was caught up in emotions. I hope everyone can understand how strongly I love this team and this university and how much I wanted to win that game but I do not regret anything I said.”
Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer says Elliott will not be disciplined and that he agreed that star junior should have carried the ball more in Saturday’s loss. Meyer says he wished Elliott’s comments would have been made in private instead of during a postgame interview, but that Elliott came to him and apologized.
“Zeke has always been a very emotional competitor,” Meyer said. He added that Elliott has been good student and a loyal and selfless member of the team.
“It’s done,” Meyer said.
No. 8 Ohio State tries to bounce back from his first loss in more than a year at No. 12 Michigan on Saturday.
Elliott had 12 carries in the Buckeyes’ 17-14 loss at home to Michigan State. After the game, Elliott said he lobbied Meyer for more touches and that he did not believe the coaches gave the players the best chance to be successful.
“I think he said what a lot of people were scared to say,” Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa told reporters Monday.
Elliott also said that Saturday’s game was his last at home with the Buckeyes and that he would not return to Ohio State for his senior season. That was no surprise, but it was startling that he made that proclamation in that setting.
“I don’t care if I rushed for 20 yards or 200 yards but I just wanted to win that game,” Elliott wrote. “I agree that it was the wrong time and place to say I was going to leave after this year.”
Elliott has run for 1,458 yards this season after gaining 1,878 last year and leading Ohio State to a national championship.
Elliott says he knew a month ago that this was going to be his last season in college.
“Finally I just want Buckeye Nation to know I am sorry for all the controversy and unrest I caused in the past couple days,” he wrote. “But I promise you all will get a focused and prepared team this Saturday when we travel to Ann Arbor. GO BUCKS!”
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