Ohio State came out firing on all cylinders, delivering a statement performance in the 111th Rose Bowl Game. Jeremiah Smith caught two of Will Howard's three long touchdown passes during a sensational 34-point first half, helping the No. 6 Buckeyes cruise past No. 1 Oregon in a 41-21 victory. The win propelled Ohio State into the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they'll face No. 4 Texas on January 10 for a chance to play for the national title.
Videos by FanBuzz
Howard, who threw for 319 yards on the night, was brilliant, connecting with Smith on two touchdowns of 45 and 43 yards, while also finding Emeka Egbuka for another deep score. The Buckeyes' offense exploded early, with TreVeyon Henderson adding a 66-yard touchdown run to put his team up 31-0 before halftime.
It was a complete turnaround from Ohio State's regular-season loss to Oregon, which ended in a narrow 32-31 defeat on October 12. In this postseason rematch, the Buckeyes dominated both sides of the ball. Howard's rocket arm and the Buckeyes' defensive pressure - including eight sacks on Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel - crushed Oregon's hopes of capturing their first national championship.
Smith, the standout freshman, stole the show with a dazzling seven receptions for 187 yards, including five catches for 161 yards in the first half alone. His playmaking ability was on full display as he made the Ducks' secondary look helpless throughout the game.
Oregon's high-powered offense, which had scored at will all season, was stifled in a shocking fashion. Gabriel, who threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns to Traeshon Holden, couldn't find any rhythm as the Buckeyes' defense smothered the Ducks at every turn. Ohio State's defensive line showed up in a major way, sacking Gabriel eight times, which was a stark contrast to their inability to sack him in their first meeting.
After the Buckeyes' early barrage, Oregon managed to put together a late touchdown in the second quarter, but the 34-7 deficit at halftime was insurmountable. The Ducks briefly came to life in the third quarter, scoring their first touchdown allowed by Ohio State in the third period all season, but the Buckeyes responded with another Henderson touchdown, quashing any hope of a Ducks comeback.
Ohio State's offense was firing on all cylinders, but it was their defensive performance that truly sealed the win. The Buckeyes showed up with an intensity that they hadn't always displayed this season, making a major statement as they march toward the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Takeaways:
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes' talent is now fully on display, and their redemption tour after tough regular-season losses to Oregon and Michigan is in full swing. With a full roster firing on all cylinders, this team looks dangerous heading into their semifinal matchup with Texas.
- Oregon: A bye week that was supposed to provide rest and recovery turned into a nightmare for the Ducks. Their dreams of a national title were shattered in a game that will be remembered as a missed opportunity in Oregon's history. Despite the letdown, their breakthrough season in the Big Ten is one they can still be proud of, but the sting of this loss will linger.
Ohio State's emphatic Rose Bowl victory is the perfect way to cap an incredible redemption story, and now they turn their eyes toward a showdown with Texas, a team they're favored to beat. If they play with this level of execution, a national championship may very well be within reach.
