PASADENA, Calif. — In a motivational team meeting prior to the Rose Bowl, Ohio State coach Ryan Day emphasized the rarity of second chances in life. Knowing they had one such opportunity, the Buckeyes took to the renowned Rose Bowl field eager to demonstrate their skills against the top-seeded and unbeaten Oregon Ducks.
The Buckeyes did not squander their chance. Jeremiah Smith was a standout performer, catching two long touchdown passes from Will Howard during an explosive first half that saw Ohio State score 34 points. In the end, the No. 6 ranked Buckeyes triumphed over the Ducks with a decisive 41-21 victory in the 111th Rose Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“You can see the potential of where we’re at when we play in all three phases the way we did,” Day noted after the game. Howard excelled with 319 passing yards, while Emeka Egbuka contributed with a long touchdown catch and TreVeyon Henderson had a notable 66-yard touchdown run. This contest marked a significant redemption for the Buckeyes (12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), who had faced a narrow defeat against Oregon just a few months earlier and ended their regular season on a disappointing note against Michigan.
The newly established 12-team College Football Playoff offered Ohio State a golden opportunity to correct past errors; they capitalized quickly. Right from the outset in Pasadena, the Buckeyes unleashed a barrage of frustration against the Ducks. “I think nobody has gone through more scrutiny than probably the team here,” Egbuka stated, referencing the pressure the team faced in the weeks leading up to the game. “By the end of (tonight), when you scroll Twitter, Instagram, everyone’s going to be singing our praises.”
In this classic matchup, the Buckeyes showcased their offensive prowess by scoring on six of their first seven drives. They built an impressive 34-0 lead by late in the second quarter against a team that had been undefeated until this game. Henderson’s subsequent touchdown run later on solidified Ohio State’s commanding lead and sealed the Ducks’ fate.
With this victory, Ohio State is set to face No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10, as they vie for a place in the national championship match. Meanwhile, Texas narrowly advanced by overcoming Arizona State in a double-overtime thriller earlier that same day.
“I’m proud of the resilience of these guys,” Day mentioned, reflecting on the team’s performance, while noting there is still much more football to be played. Smith shined in his bowl debut, recording seven receptions for a career-high 187 yards, showcasing a remarkable first half that included five catches for 161 yards with two scoring touchdowns. Egbuka likened Smith’s performance to that of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who memorably grabbed headlines with a record-breaking Rose Bowl showing three years prior.
On the other side, Dillon Gabriel led the Ducks, throwing for 299 yards and connecting with Traeshon Holden for two touchdowns. Unfortunately for Oregon (13-1, CFP No. 1 seed), their aspirations for a first national title were crushed by this unexpected defeat, and their impressive 14-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.
“We really didn’t have the ability to stop them, and we didn’t have the ability to get something going for us on offense,” lamented Oregon coach Dan Lanning. “We haven’t faced a lot of moments like this all year. (Ohio State) is an unbelievable team.”
After dominating their previous playoff game against Tennessee, Ohio State again exhibited their strength against Oregon. The Buckeyes’ defense, which was unable to pressure Gabriel in the earlier meeting, managed to sack him eight times in this rematch. Oregon, missing key player Evan Stewart due to injury, struggled to make big plays that had previously propelled them to victory.
The game commenced with upbeat pregame festivities under sunny skies, and Ohio State wasted little time making an impact. In just three plays and less than a minute, Howard connected with Smith for a quick 45-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes continued their assault, with Howard delivering a perfectly timed pass to Egbuka, resulting in another score.
Ohio State’s offense remained relentless, with Smith catching another touchdown shortly after, a highly athletic catch that showcased his exceptional skills. When Henderson’s impressive 66-yard run pushed the score to 31-0, disbelief spread throughout the stadium.
Oregon finally found some rhythm on their last drive before halftime, with Gabriel executing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Holden, but the damage was done.
In summary, Ohio State not only achieved their significant victory over a No. 1 ranked team, but they did so emphatically, solidifying their status as one of the strongest teams still competing. For Oregon, the playoff excursion’s abrupt conclusion and the missed opportunity for a title will undoubtedly resonate for years to come, prompting discussions about possible changes to playoff formats in the future.
Looking ahead, Ohio State’s next challenge will see them meet Texas in the Cotton Bowl, while Oregon’s schedule awaits a tilt against Montana State to kick off their upcoming season.
