Ohio State delivered a commanding performance in the Rose Bowl, defeating the undefeated Oregon Ducks 41-21 and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 8, avenged their earlier one-point loss to Oregon with a dominant display on both offense and defense. Coach Ryan Day was showered in rose petals after the victory, symbolizing the team’s triumph and progression in the playoff journey.
Ohio State’s freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith set the tone early in the game, scoring a 45-yard touchdown on the third play, putting the Buckeyes in control. Smith emphasized how the team fixed the issues from their October loss to Oregon and came into the game with a focus on winning one-on-one matchups. Quarterback Will Howard, who played a crucial role in the victory, threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, building on his previous impressive performance against Tennessee.
The Buckeyes’ offense struck quickly, with Howard connecting with receiver Emeka Egbuka for a second touchdown in a drive that lasted only a minute. Smith praised Howard for his trust in the receivers, saying that their confidence in him during practice paid off on the field. Smith ended the game with 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns, setting a school record for receiving yards by a freshman in a single game and earning the offensive MVP title.
Ohio State’s defense also played a pivotal role, completely shutting down Oregon’s running game and limiting them to minus-26 rushing yards, their lowest total in 16 years. The Buckeyes’ defense recorded eight sacks, consistently pressuring Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Linebacker Cody Simon led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, including three for losses and two sacks, earning the defensive MVP.
A key moment came early in the second quarter when Oregon, trailing 17-0, attempted a fourth-down conversion but failed. Simon broke up Gabriel’s pass, and two plays later, Howard threw another touchdown pass to Smith, extending Ohio State’s lead to 24-0.
The Buckeyes’ offensive attack was balanced, with the running duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins contributing 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The coaching staff, led by Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, received praise for their aggressive play-calling. Day secured his third playoff win and his fifth victory against a top-five team, silencing critics who doubted his ability to succeed in big games.
Looking ahead, Ohio State will face No. 5 seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10, with a spot in the national championship game on the line. Coach Day acknowledged the importance of the Rose Bowl win but emphasized that the team has more to accomplish. He expressed confidence in the Buckeyes’ ability to rise to the challenge in the next round of the playoffs, aiming for a shot at the national title.
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