Ohio State’s Dominant Performance in the Rose Bowl: A Night to Remember
PASADENA, Calif. — The 111th Rose Bowl Game was nothing short of a spectacle, as Jeremiah Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes put on a show against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks. With a commanding 41-21 victory, the No. 6 Buckeyes made a statement, roaring into the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes’ explosive 34-point first half set the tone for the evening, leaving fans and analysts alike in awe of their performance.
Ohio State’s quarterback, Will Howard, was in exceptional form, passing for 319 yards and delivering three long touchdown passes. Smith was the star of the night, catching two of those touchdown passes, while Emeka Egbuka also contributed with a long touchdown reception. TreVeyon Henderson added to the Buckeyes’ offensive onslaught with a stunning 66-yard touchdown run. This victory was particularly sweet for Ohio State (12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), as they had faced challenges in executing their game plan in previous big games this season.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did.” The Buckeyes’ journey to the semifinals was not without its hurdles, as they had suffered painful regular-season losses to both Oregon and Michigan. However, the expanded 12-team CFP format provided them with a second chance, and they seized it with both hands.
Facing the tournament’s No. 1 seed in the iconic Rose Bowl, Ohio State wasted no time in asserting their dominance. They scored on six of their first seven drives, taking a commanding 34-0 lead late in the second quarter against the nation’s only remaining unbeaten team. Henderson’s second touchdown run late in the third quarter effectively sealed the victory for the Buckeyes.
With this win, Ohio State is now headed to the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, where they will face No. 4 Texas for a spot in the national title game. The Longhorns narrowly advanced earlier in the day, holding off Arizona State 39-31 in a double-overtime Peach Bowl. The Buckeyes have opened as five-point favorites against Texas and are also the consensus favorites to win the national championship at +120, according to ESPN BET.
Coach Day praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I’m proud of the resilience of these guys. Still got a lot of football ahead of us.”
On the other side of the field, Dillon Gabriel passed for 299 yards and connected with receiver Traeshon Holden for two touchdowns for the Ducks (13-1, CFP No. 1 seed). However, their dreams of securing their first national title were dashed on the famed Rose Bowl turf, and their impressive 14-game winning streak came to an end.
Ohio State’s defense, which had struggled to sack Gabriel in their regular-season meeting, turned the tables in this rematch, dropping the Heisman Trophy finalist eight times. Smith, the Buckeyes’ standout freshman playmaker, had a remarkable bowl debut with seven receptions for 187 yards, including five catches for 161 yards in the first half alone. His scoring receptions of 45 and 43 yards were pivotal in Ohio State’s early dominance.
The Buckeyes turned what was expected to be the CFP’s most anticipated quarterfinal matchup into a long celebration at the Rose Bowl. This game featured two powerhouse programs widely regarded as the top two teams left in the inaugural 12-team playoff. However, Ohio State’s early and frequent scoring left little doubt about the outcome.
The Big Ten champion Ducks struggled to make any offensive headway until they trailed by 34 points, unable to replicate the big plays that had carried them to victory in their regular-season meeting with Ohio State.
After the usual pregame pageantry in 70-degree sunshine at the venerable stadium in Arroyo Seco, Ohio State wasted no time in making their mark. Howard’s short play-action screen pass to Smith resulted in a 45-yard touchdown, setting the tone for the game. On the Buckeyes’ third drive, Howard delivered a long pass to the sprinting Egbuka for a 42-yard touchdown, capping off a career-best first quarter with 212 passing yards.
Early in the second quarter, Smith found himself wide open near the Ducks’ goal line, allowing him to settle under Howard’s long throw for a 42-yard touchdown, untouched. When Henderson broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run down the Oregon sideline, the disbelief rippled through both sides of the Rose Bowl stands.
Oregon finally found some momentum on their final drive before halftime, with Gabriel connecting with Holden for a 5-yard touchdown pass as time expired. The Ducks added a two-point conversion to salvage something from their challenging first half.
In the second half, the Ducks opened with a drive that resulted in Noah Whittington’s 2-yard touchdown run, marking the first touchdown allowed in the third quarter all season by Ohio State. Oregon even forced a punt moments later, stirring faint hope among their fans. However, the Ohio State defense quickly regained control, pushing the Ducks backward for a punt before Howard’s group methodically drove for Henderson’s second touchdown.
Takeaways
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes have showcased their full potential over the past two weeks, following their regular-season setbacks against Oregon and Michigan. The expanded 12-team playoff has provided them with a chance for redemption, and they are making the most of it. It’s been a thrilling journey to watch.
- Oregon: The Ducks’ 3½-week break with their first-round bye proved to be a double-edged sword. While this disappointing performance doesn’t completely overshadow their breakthrough Big Ten debut, it will be remembered as a missed opportunity in Oregon’s history.
Up Next
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl, a preview of both teams’ 2025 season opener, as Texas visits Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30.
- Oregon: The Ducks will open their 2025 season at home against Montana State, which faces North Dakota State in the FCS title game Monday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
