Ohio State stomps Oregon in Rose Bowl beatdown to advance to CFP semifinal
The Ohio State Buckeyes made a statement in the Rose Bowl, defeating the top-ranked Oregon Ducks with a resounding 41-21 victory. The Buckeyes were not about to let a Big 10 conference newcomer steal all the spotlight this season. With a stellar performance from quarterback Will Howard and standout freshman playmaker Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State dominated the game from start to finish.
Howard threw for 319 yards and connected with Smith on two of his three long touchdown passes. Emeka Egbuka also caught a long TD pass, and TreVeyon Henderson added a 66-yard touchdown run to contribute to the Buckeyes’ explosive offensive performance. Ohio State’s big-game execution finally matched their formidable talent, as they scored on six of their first seven drives and took a commanding 34-0 lead late in the second quarter.
The Buckeyes’ victory in the Rose Bowl secured their spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal, where they will face off against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on January 10. Ohio State has capitalized on the second chances provided by the expanded 12-team playoff format, delivering a statement win against the tournament’s top seed.
On the other side, the Oregon Ducks saw their dreams of a national title come crashing down on the Rose Bowl turf. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who had a standout season and was named a first-team All-American and Big 10 MVP, couldn’t lead the Ducks to victory against the Buckeyes. Gabriel’s six-year college career will come to an end, and he will now turn his sights towards the NFL Draft, where he is projected to be a second-tier quarterback prospect.
Overall, the Buckeyes’ dominant performance in the Rose Bowl was a fitting end to a season filled with ups and downs. Ohio State will now shift their focus to the Cotton Bowl and their matchup against Texas, as they look to secure a spot in the national title game. The future looks bright for the Buckeyes, as they continue to showcase their talent and determination on the big stage.
