Ezekiel Elliott critical of coaches after loss to Spartans, says he will go pro

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was critical of his coaches and said he would leave for the NFL after this season in the wake of the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan State on Saturday.

Elliott complained about his lack of carries and said there was “no chance” he would return to Ohio State after 2015.

Elliott carried the ball only 12 times during the Buckeyes’ loss to the Spartans. Elliott had carried the ball at least 19 times in each of the last six games, running for at least 100 yards each time. Saturday was the first time Elliott had been held under 100 yards all season.

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Elliott, a junior, recorded 1,878 yards on 273 carries with 18 touchdowns last season. Through Saturday, he’s run for 3,565 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career.

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Elliott: "I think I do deserve more than 11 carries. ... I don't know what was going on."
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 22, 2015

Ezekiel Elliott: "This is my last game in The 'Shoe. There's no chance I'm coming back."
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) November 22, 2015

Enjoyed my last buckeye walk. Gonna miss all the fans who had a couple too many trying to break my hand with the high fives 😅
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) November 22, 2015

Elliott's father told SI's Pete Thamel that Elliott spent Monday and Tuesday in the hospital with an infection.

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