Ohio State’s Dominant Performance Sets Stage for Rose Bowl Rematch with Oregon
The fourth quarter had just begun, but the chants already echoed loudly through the Horseshoe, reverberating off the stadium walls and into the ears of the players and coaches on the sideline.
“We want Oregon.”
It was a moment of celebration and anticipation. In the tunnel beneath the Ohio State student section, Rose Bowl staffers readied a bouquet of red roses for the Buckeyes’ locker room celebration. Brutus Buckeye emerged from the catacombs, proudly clutching the first stem. The Ohio State backups were still playing out the final minutes of their College Football Playoff first-round matchup against Tennessee, but the team had already mentally moved on to the looming rematch against the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
With a resounding 42-17 victory over Tennessee, the Buckeyes had dispatched the Volunteers with authority, setting the stage for their second shot at Oregon. The Ducks, who handed Ohio State a heartbreaking 32-31 loss earlier in the season, had continued their dominance, finishing the regular season undefeated and claiming the CFP’s No. 1 overall seed. But Ohio State was primed for redemption, and with a confident and fired-up roster, they were now looking forward to the chance to settle the score in Pasadena.
A Painful Loss Still Fresh in the Mind
For Ohio State, the first meeting with Oregon on October 12 remains a painful memory. The Buckeyes were driving with just seconds left on the clock, looking to set up a potential game-winning field goal. But a controversial offensive pass interference penalty on freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith pushed the Buckeyes out of field goal range. On the very next play, quarterback Will Howard inexplicably slid as time expired, ending the game at the Oregon 26-yard line and dashing Ohio State’s hopes of a comeback win.
Howard, still visibly haunted by the way that game ended, didn’t mince words after the victory over Tennessee.
“We’ve all been looking forward to this one and for another crack at these guys,” Howard said, a rose stem still hanging from his teeth as he congratulated teammates on the field. “The way that last one ended doesn’t sit right with me. It still bugs me.”
Indeed, that loss stung for the Buckeyes, and it’s clear that they’ve been using it as fuel for their playoff run. As they prepare for their rematch with Oregon, the Buckeyes are determined to right the wrongs of that first contest and to claim the redemption they’ve been craving.
A Defense That Has Transformed Since October
Since their defeat in Eugene, Ohio State’s defense has undergone a remarkable transformation. In that game, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, taking advantage of Ohio State’s defensive front, which failed to sack him even once and generated just two pressures throughout the game. The Ducks’ wide receivers were able to win most of their one-on-one matchups, with cornerback Denzel Burke particularly struggling against Oregon’s star wideouts.
But since that loss, Ohio State’s defense has been nothing short of dominant. They’ve risen to the No. 1 spot nationally in several key defensive categories, including fewest yards allowed per play (3.8), fewest yards allowed per game (234.4), and fewest points allowed per game (11.7). The turnaround can be attributed to the hard work and resilience of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ unit, which has become a formidable force in college football.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity because it was not a great game for us,” Knowles said, reflecting on the first Oregon outing. “Quite frankly, the guys got pissed off, and it led to a run for us. They used that game as motivation.”
The Buckeyes have now become one of the most feared defenses in the country, and they will carry that newfound confidence into the Rose Bowl. If they can continue playing at their current level, Oregon’s high-powered offense could be in for a much tougher challenge this time around.
Offense in Full Gear Against Tennessee
Ohio State’s explosive offense, which had been inconsistent at times during the season, was firing on all cylinders against Tennessee. The Buckeyes showed just how dangerous they can be when they’re clicking, as they scored touchdowns on their first three drives, taking a commanding 21-0 lead before the first quarter had even ended. The Volunteers had no answer for star wideout Jeremiah Smith, who hauled in two touchdowns and finished the game with a game-high 103 receiving yards.
Tennessee’s defense also struggled to stop running back TreVeyon Henderson, who racked up 134 yards of total offense and found the end zone twice.
“We called this game more aggressively — there’s no question about that,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said after the victory. “But also, I think we did some things that maximized what we have in terms of our strengths and minimized our deficiencies.”
The Buckeyes did just that, getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers and allowing them to shine. Howard, coming off a rough performance in Ohio State’s regular-season finale loss to Michigan, responded with an impressive 24-of-29 passing performance for 311 yards. His lone interception came when he tried to squeeze a pass to Smith in the back of the end zone, but even that misstep didn’t overshadow the Buckeyes’ dominant performance.
“I liked the call, I liked how aggressive we were,” Day said. “When you call the game aggressively, something like that happens. You have to be willing to live with it.”
The contrast between Ohio State’s performances against Michigan and Tennessee couldn’t have been starker. Against Tennessee, the Buckeyes were aggressive, decisive, and efficient. That’s the kind of playmaking they’ll need if they hope to topple Oregon in the Rose Bowl and advance further in the College Football Playoff.
Setting Their Sights on Oregon and the National Championship
With a dominating victory over Tennessee and a well-rested and hungry roster, Ohio State now turns its attention fully to the Oregon Ducks. The Rose Bowl quarterfinal on January 1 will be a chance for revenge and a chance to show the college football world that the Buckeyes are ready for a national championship run.
As Howard said, the Buckeyes are excited for the opportunity.
“Yeah, I’m excited, man,” Howard said. “We’re going to go out there and have some fun and let it rip.”
Ohio State has the tools on both sides of the ball to compete with the best. Their offense, led by the talented quarterback and receiving corps, has shown they can put up big numbers. Their defense, which has been playing at an elite level, is ready to shut down any offense that comes their way. With the right mindset, the Buckeyes have all the pieces to take down Oregon and move one step closer to a national title.
For Ohio State, the journey is just beginning. The Buckeyes’ path to redemption has led them to the Rose Bowl, and with Oregon standing in their way, they’ll be more motivated than ever to finish what they started — and finally claim the victory that slipped through their fingers earlier in the season.
