No. 6 Ohio State Dominates Top-Ranked Oregon 41-21 in Rose Bowl, Advances to CFP Semifinals
Ohio State made the most of a second chance, routing top-ranked Oregon 41-21 in the 111th Rose Bowl on Wednesday night to advance to the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals.
After a season filled with near-misses and heartbreaks, including a close loss to Oregon earlier in the year and a humiliating defeat to Michigan, the Buckeyes entered the Rose Bowl with something to prove. Ohio State seized the opportunity, delivering a sensational 34-point first half that set the tone for the rest of the game.
Offensive Explosion in First Half
Jeremiah Smith, a standout freshman, had a remarkable performance, catching two of Will Howard’s three long touchdown passes. Smith finished the first half with five catches for 161 yards, including scoring grabs of 45 and 43 yards. He would finish the game with seven receptions for a season-high 187 yards.
Ohio State was firing on all cylinders, scoring on six of their first seven drives, with four of those drives covering more than 40 yards. The Buckeyes’ offensive domination included a 66-yard touchdown run by TreVeyon Henderson, giving Ohio State a commanding 34-0 lead late in the second quarter.
Defensive Domination
The Buckeyes’ defense also showed up in a big way. In their previous meeting with Oregon, Ohio State failed to sack Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel, but this time, they dropped him eight times, frustrating Oregon’s offense. Gabriel, who passed for 299 yards and connected with Traeshon Holden for two touchdowns, couldn’t keep up with Ohio State’s relentless pressure.
Oregon’s 14-game winning streak was snapped, and the Ducks’ hopes of securing their first national title came to a crushing halt.
A Historic Victory for Ohio State
Ohio State’s 41-21 win marked the Buckeyes’ biggest margin of victory over a No. 1-ranked team in school history. The Buckeyes’ offense, led by Howard’s 319 passing yards, was firing on all cylinders, while the defense made a strong statement with multiple sacks and shutdown plays.
Emeka Egbuka also had a key role in Ohio State’s offensive success, catching a 42-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Head coach Ryan Day praised his team’s resilience and noted that the win was a testament to their growth and determination after a season of setbacks.
Oregon Struggles Without Key Players
Oregon, which entered the game as the top-ranked team and the only remaining unbeaten squad, struggled to get anything going offensively. They played without wide receiver Evan Stewart, who had a huge impact in their earlier win against Ohio State but was sidelined due to injury. Despite a strong final drive before halftime that resulted in a touchdown, Oregon could never recover from their disastrous first half.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Ohio State (12-2) advances to the CFP semifinals and will face No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10 for a spot in the national title game. Texas, after narrowly defeating Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime, will be looking to continue their strong playoff run.
“Still got a lot of football ahead of us,” Day said, keeping his focus on the next challenge while celebrating the big win.
Takeaways
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes played their most complete game of the season, dominating on offense and defense. With their biggest margin of victory over a No. 1 team, they are looking like one of the best teams left in the playoff race.
- Oregon: The Ducks’ extended break and lack of key personnel proved detrimental. While they had a strong regular season, this Rose Bowl defeat marks a missed opportunity, especially with the first-ever College Football Playoff bye.
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