(Bleacher Report)

Ohio State 44

Notre Dame 28

Following one of Ezekiel Elliott’s triumphant four touchdowns in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, the aforementioned Buckeye running back modestly shrugged off another highlight run.

Actually, Elliott was paying tribute to teammate Joey Bosa who was suspended after targeting the Notre Dame’s quarterback DeShone Kizer with the crown of his helmet in the first quarter. The no-big-deal shrug is a trademark of Bosa, who will be entering the NFL Draft early (along with Elliott and others) as a potential #1 overall prospect.

Upon further reflection, the picture above captured a sentiment many in Buckeye Nation are feeling after a victorious Fiesta Bowl win.

Yeah, we can be that good. But, what can you do now?

The Buckeyes won impressively in the desert in 2016, but it wasn’t the win everybody imagined. The National Championship game will be played in a week and a half on the same field as this year’s Fiesta Bowl: The University of Phoenix Stadium. All the sports experts had The Ohio State Buckeyes in the playoff and, more ambitiously, playing in the title game. However, the shocking loss to Michigan State in the Horseshoe in November stopped the powerful Buckeye train one station too soon.

And yet, with the continued frustration from that loss still lingering, Ohio State’s victory today provided fans and casual viewers a valuable lesson for the New Year:

When our most grandiose dreams collide with harsh reality, shrugging off the ashes of failure and responding with a gritty, revitalized work ethic is what opens the (running) lanes for renewed opportunities and success…

like a phoenix.

Congratulations Ohio State and Happy 2016 Everybody!