Ohio State Bludgeons Oregon in Rose Bowl to Advance to CFP Semifinals
The No. 8 seed Buckeyes, fueled by a strong offense and defense, dominated the undefeated Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, avenging their earlier loss and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals against No. 5 seed Texas.
Ohio State’s Offense Exploits Oregon’s Weaknesses
The Buckeyes’ offense, led by quarterback Will Howard, wasted no time getting started, scoring two touchdowns on their first two drives. On the third play of the game, freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith took a pass 45 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Howard finished the game with 17 of 26 passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
"We just had to come in and see what were the issues, fix the issues, and get on the field and work it," Smith said. "Offensively, we had to get the ball to the perimeter, take shots, and just win our one-on-one matchups. That’s what we did."
Ohio State’s Defense Dominates Oregon
The Buckeyes’ defense was equally impressive, holding the Oregon run game to minus-26 yards and forcing eight sacks. Ohio State’s pass rush hounded Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel all game, ultimately breaking up crucial passes and allowing the Buckeyes to maintain a strong lead.
"We went through a lot of tough conversations after that game," linebacker Cody Simon said. "I think we’re better for it now. We made those changes and it’s all about execution. No matter what, no matter who’s across the ball, you have to do your job."
Smith Shines with School-Record 187 Receiving Yards
Smith ended up with 187 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions, setting a school record for receiving yards in a game by a freshman. His fifth 100-yard game made him the 12th receiver in program history and the first freshman to accomplish the feat.
Buckeyes Look to Build Momentum against Texas
Ohio State will face Texas at the Cotton Bowl on January 10 for a spot in the national title game. While coach Ryan Day recognizes the significance of winning the Rose Bowl, he knows there’s still a lot of football left to be played.
"We’re not staying the night," Day said. "We’re getting back on that plane, we’re headed back to Columbus, we’ll get some rest and then we’ll focus on Texas."
Conclusion
Ohio State’s dominant performance against Oregon proves that they are a force to be reckoned with in the College Football Playoff. With a strong offense and defense, they have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
FAQs
Q: How did Ohio State’s offense perform in the Rose Bowl?
A: The Buckeyes’ offense was led by quarterback Will Howard, who finished 17 of 26 passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith set a school record for receiving yards in a game by a freshman with 187 yards.
Q: What was the outcome of the game?
A: Ohio State won the game 41-21 against the Oregon Ducks.
Q: How did Ohio State’s defense perform against Oregon?
A: The Buckeyes’ defense held the Oregon run game to minus-26 yards and forced eight sacks, dominating the Oregon offense all game.
Q: Who won the MVP awards in the game?
A: Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith earned offensive MVP, while linebacker Cody Simon won defensive MVP.
