Kevin Connelly: Tide turned just before halftime

NEW ORLEANS — Jim Tressel had the late pass interference call.

Urban Meyer has the double reverse wide receiver pass.

It’s a play that will be talked about for years to come in Columbus, as the Buckeyes toppled top-seeded Alabama, 42-35, in a semifinal of the inaugural college football playoff. They now have a date in the National Championship with Oregon.

For a while Thursday night, the Sugar Bowl appeared to be all Alabama, as turnovers quickly turned into points. The Buckeyes were also settling for field goals from inside the red zone. Neither is a recipe for success against the Crimson Tide — just ask Auburn.

Then the tide began to turn. The biggest wave came with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.

Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer dialed up a little trickeration and decided to call the ol’ double reverse wide receiver pass.

Worked like a charm.

Quarterback Cardale Jones took the snap, tossed it to Jalin Marshall, who pitched it to Evan Spencer, who threw the best pass of the night to hit a blanketed Michael Thomas in the end zone — tiptoe needed.

A review was also needed to confirm all but the inevitable. Meyer just pulled a rabbit out of his hat — like he’s been known to do a time or two.

Much had been talked about the Buckeyes’ third string quarterback in the weeks leading up to the Sugar Bowl, so it seems only fitting to have a wideout throw the best pass of the game.

The crazy part of it all?

Turned out that was just the first wave for the Buckeyes. Steve Miller — no, not the one the band was named after (although there could be a sandwich named after him soon) — dropped back in coverage to intercept a poorly thrown ball by Alabama quarterback Blake Sims.

It was the first pick-six the Crimson Tide threw since 2007.

Then, a storm New Orleans hasn’t seen in quite some time erupted as Ezekiel Elliott ran past everybody in Crimson for an 85-yard touchdown. It was the longest play from scrimmage the Tide allowed all season.

And guess who threw a big-time block to spring the speedy Buckeyes running back? Mr. Austintown himself, Billy Price.

Elliott was far and away the MVP for the Buckeyes, shattering the Alabama defense to the sweet New Orleans tune of 230 yards on 20 carries. The Crimson Tide were allowing just 88.6 yards per game and had given up just three rushing touchdowns all season. Ohio State ran for 281 yards and a pair of scores.

Defense, turnovers and a big-time rushing performance are why the Buckeyes have a chance to be the first-ever college football playoff national champions.

Just the way Jim Tressel would’ve scripted it.

Kevin Connelly is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at kconnelly@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Connelly_Vindy.