ARLINGTON, Texas » For all of Ohio State’s explosiveness on offense, Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer credited his defense for the College Football Playoff Championship Game victory.

"It is testimony to the improvement our defense has made," Meyer said.

"We won the game because, of course, (Ezekiel) Elliott and, of course, our offensive line," Meyer said, "but our defense — to hold Marcus Mariota — I know he threw for a bunch of yards, 300-plus (333), but our defense, we tackled tonight and did a great job."

Oregon converted just two of 12 third-down attempts.

Meyer said, "I don’t want to get too dramatic, but it is as improved a football team — and I’ve watched football for a long time (30 years) — from Game 1 to Game 15 as I’ve ever seen."

"Yeah, the defense won the game," Meyer said.

"I don’t want to take away from these guys to my left (running back Elliott and quarterback Cardale Jones and the offensive line), but we lose that game if we don’t stop them on turnovers."

The Buckeyes committed four turnovers (three fumbles and an interception), holding Oregon without a score on two and limiting the Ducks to a field goal on another.

Meyer said, "We consider that a stop when you hold them to a field goal. Championships are won on defense and our defense has been on a difficult journey the last couple of years."

But Meyer said, "The future of our defense is even better because there are a lot of young guys playing."

Ava somber after loss

Oregon linebacker Isaac Ava has few regrets about the final game of the season — and his college career.

"It was an amazing season," said Ava, a fifth-year senior from Saint Louis School. "We still won that Rose Bowl. There’s a lot to be proud of."

It was the Ducks’ victory in the Rose Bowl, which doubled as the semifinal of the inaugural College Football Playoffs, that propelled entry into Monday’s championship game.

"The Rose Bowl was great," Ava said. "It got us to where we are now."

Ava admitted that the loss will "linger for a little bit."

"It sucks right now thinking about losing the national championship," Ava said.

But Ava, whose father is a pastor, said: "Give it time. I’ll be able to look back and appreciate this great season."

‘Bows get Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are expected to return all three quarterbacks who have starting experience.

With that, the Buckeyes likely will open the 2015 season as the No. 1 team.

That will be a difficult challenge for the University of Hawaii football team. UH plays at Ohio State on Sept. 12.