Ohio State Routs Oregon in Rose Bowl, Advances to College Football Playoff Semifinals
Matchup of the Season: Ohio State vs. Oregon in the Rose Bowl
Ohio State got the rematch they wanted against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and made the most of their opportunity.
Buckeyes Dominate Ducks
Will Howard threw three touchdowns, TreVeyon Henderson ran for two, and Jeremiah Smith caught two, as Ohio State routed Oregon 41-21 on Wednesday night during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.
Revenge Game
It was a revenge game for the Buckeyes, who lost to the Ducks, 32-31 in Eugene earlier in the season. The victory sends Ohio State to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at AT&T Stadium against Texas in the Cotton Bowl next Friday.
Ducks’ First Loss of the Season
For Oregon, who entered the game undefeated at 13-0, the loss was their first of the season, and ended their hopes of winning the first National Championship in school history.
Dillon Gabriel’s Final Game
Dillon Gabriel threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns in the senior’s final college football game of his career. Gabriel is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ohio State’s Dominant Performance
The No. 1 ranked team in the country didn’t know what hit them in the first quarter. The eighth-seeded Buckeyes scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives to start the game. Before you could say, "The Granddaddy of Them All," Ohio State had a 34-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Howard’s Impressive Performance
Howard, a senior quarterback who transferred this offseason from Kansas State, finished the game 17-for-26 with 319 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith Breaks School Record
His favorite target was freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, who broke the school’s freshman receiving yards record for a single game with seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
Rose Bowl Record
The 41 points were the most allowed by Oregon’s defense all season.
Conclusion
Ohio State learned from their loss at Oregon earlier in the season, and did what they didn’t do in that first game. The Buckeyes made it a priority to get the ball to the boundaries, with Howard throwing the ball deep to his explosive receivers on offense.
FAQs
Q: How did Ohio State dominate the game?
A: Ohio State scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, and had a 34-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Q: How did Oregon’s defense perform?
A: Oregon’s defense allowed 41 points, the most they allowed all season.
Q: What was the final score?
A: Ohio State won 41-21.
Q: Who will Ohio State face in the College Football Playoff Semifinals?
A: Ohio State will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl next Friday.
