Ohio State Dominates No. 1 Oregon in Rose Bowl Showdown, Secures Spot in CFP Semifinals!

Ohio State routs top-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals with a decisive 41-21 victory. Jeremiah Smith was a standout, catching two of Will Howard’s three touchdown passes during a stunning first half, where the Buckeyes scored 34 points.

Howard showcased his skill by throwing for 319 yards, while Emeka Egbuka contributed with a long touchdown reception. TreVeyon Henderson also made his mark with a remarkable 66-yard touchdown run, delivering a strong performance in a Rose Bowl that served as a redemption for Ohio State (12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), who had struggled with big-game execution earlier in the season.

Coach Ryan Day expressed pride in his team’s potential, stating, “You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did.”

After suffering tough losses to Oregon and Michigan during the regular season, Ohio State capitalized on the opportunities presented by the inaugural 12-team CFP. They faced the tournament’s top seed and dominated the game, scoring on six of their first seven drives to establish a commanding 34-0 lead late in the second quarter. Henderson’s second touchdown run in the third quarter effectively sealed the game.

Next, Ohio State will compete in the Cotton Bowl on January 10 against No. 4 Texas for a chance to reach the national title game. The Longhorns narrowly advanced earlier in the day, defeating Arizona State 39-31 in a thrilling double-overtime Peach Bowl.

Day praised his players’ resilience, noting, “I’m proud of the resilience of these guys. Still got a lot of football ahead of us.”

For Oregon (13-1, CFP No. 1 seed), Dillon Gabriel threw for 299 yards and connected with Traeshon Holden for two touchdowns, but their aspirations for a national title were dashed on the iconic Rose Bowl field, ending their impressive 14-game winning streak.

Just eleven days after defeating Tennessee to kick off the playoffs, Ohio State avenged their earlier regular-season loss to Oregon, which had ended in a nail-biting 32-31 finish in Eugene on October 12. The Buckeyes’ defense, which failed to sack Gabriel in their previous encounter, managed to bring down the Heisman Trophy finalist eight times in this rematch.

Smith, a promising freshman, delivered an impressive bowl debut with seven receptions for 187 yards, including five catches for 161 yards in the first half alone, with touchdown receptions of 45 and 43 yards.

Ohio State transformed the highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup into a celebratory event at the Rose Bowl, a venue known for its thrilling games. This clash featured two powerhouse programs considered among the best in the inaugural 12-team Playoff, but the Buckeyes quickly established dominance.

The Big Ten champion Ducks struggled offensively until they found themselves down by 34 points, unable to generate the explosive plays that had propelled them to victory earlier in the season.

Following the traditional pregame festivities in pleasant 70-degree weather, Ohio State wasted no time, scoring on their first play within 49 seconds. Howard executed a short play-action pass to Smith, who sprinted through Oregon’s defense for a 45-yard touchdown.

On their third drive, Howard delivered a perfectly placed long pass to Egbuka, resulting in a 42-yard touchdown. By the end of the first quarter, Howard had already achieved a career-high 212 yards passing, surpassing his previous best of 160 yards against Tennessee.

In the second quarter, Smith found himself wide open near the Ducks’ goal line, catching Howard’s long throw for another 42-yard touchdown without being touched.

When Henderson broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run along the Oregon sideline, the stands erupted in disbelief.

Oregon finally found momentum on their last drive before halftime, with Gabriel connecting with Holden for a 5-yard touchdown and adding a two-point conversion to salvage some pride from a challenging first half.

The Ducks opened the second half with a drive that led to Noah Whittington’s 2-yard touchdown run, marking the first touchdown Ohio State allowed in the third quarter all season. However, after forcing a punt, the Buckeyes responded with a methodical drive that culminated in Henderson’s second touchdown.

Takeaways

Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ talent has shone brightly over the last two weeks after their earlier struggles. The 12-team playoff format has provided a chance for redemption, and they are taking full advantage of it.

Oregon: The Ducks’ lengthy break before the playoffs proved detrimental. While this setback doesn’t overshadow their successful season, it will forever be remembered as a missed opportunity in Oregon’s history.

Up next

Ohio State: The upcoming Cotton Bowl will serve as a preview of the 2025 season opener, where Texas will visit Ohio Stadium on August 30.

Oregon: The Ducks will kick off their 2025 season at home against Montana State, who is set to face North Dakota State in the FCS title game on Monday night.

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