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Ohio State will not discipline Ezekiel Elliott for postgame comments

Graham Watson

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott will face no discipline for questioning the Buckeyes’ play calls following the 17-14 loss to Michigan State last Saturday.

"We don't condone that, but he apologized," coach Urban Meyer said on Saturday. "We squashed it as a team. I couldn't disagree with him — he should have got the ball more. That just wasn't the forum for that."

Following the loss, Elliott criticized the playcalling and his lack of touches during the contest. Elliott had 12 carries for 33 yards and the game’s first touchdown. He also said he would not be returning to Ohio State for his senior season.

"We'll have some momentum, we'll call some plays that work, and then we kind of try to get away from it, try to get cute and run some other stuff," Elliott said after the game. "I was lobbying to Coach Meyer all game. I think I do deserve more than [12] carries. I think I really do.

"Honestly, I can't speak for the play calling. I don't know what was going on. I don't know what they were seeing. But honestly, it didn't work out. It wasn't working.”

The loss broke Ohio State’s 23-game winning streak and also halted Elliott’s streak of 15-straight games with at least 100 yards.

On Monday, Elliott tweeted an apology to fans, but said he doesn’t regret his criticisms.

This is not the kind of distraction Ohio State wanted heading into a pivotal contest against Michigan this week, which is probably why Meyer nipped it in the bud early in his press conference. Meyer also said he’d be more involved in the playcalling this week in an effort to alleviate some of Elliott’s grievances.

The Buckeyes need to beat Michigan and have Michigan State lose to Penn State to play for the Big Ten title and perhaps work their way back into the College Football Playoff.

For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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