Ohio State Dominates Oregon 41-21 in Rose Bowl to Reach CFP Semifinals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON? J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ No. 6 Ohio State delivered a commanding 41-21 victory over top-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes overwhelmed the Ducks with explosive plays and stifling defense, setting up a clash with No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Rose Bowl 2025: Quick Looks
- Dominant Performance: Ohio State scored 34 first-half points, the most in their Rose Bowl history.
- Standout Players: Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdowns, and Will Howard threw for 319 yards.
- Ducks Derailed: Oregon’s unbeaten streak and title hopes ended on a night of defensive struggles.
- Next Stop: Ohio State will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl for a shot at the national title.
Ohio State Dominates Oregon 41-21 in Rose Bowl to Reach CFP Semifinals
Deep Look
Buckeyes Redeem Their Season
Ohio State entered the Rose Bowl with a mission to prove themselves after losses to Michigan and Oregon earlier in the season. Head coach Ryan Day urged his players to seize their second chance in the expanded College Football Playoff, and they responded with one of the most dominant performances in program history.
Quarterback Will Howard threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with standout freshman Jeremiah Smith for 187 yards and two scores. Running back TreVeyon Henderson added a 66-yard touchdown run, while Emeka Egbuka caught a 42-yard scoring pass.
“You can see the potential of where we’re at when we play in all three phases,” Day said.
A Historic First Half
Ohio State dismantled the nation’s No. 1 team with a 34-0 lead in the first half, fueled by four plays of 40-plus yards. Smith’s touchdown receptions of 45 and 43 yards left Oregon’s secondary reeling, while Howard’s precision passing shredded the Ducks’ defense.
“It was legendary,” Egbuka said of Smith’s performance, comparing it to Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s record-setting Rose Bowl in 2022.
Oregon’s Struggles
The Ducks, who entered the game unbeaten, faltered on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was sacked eight times, and Oregon’s defense failed to generate stops against Ohio State’s high-powered offense.
Head coach Dan Lanning acknowledged the Buckeyes’ dominance, saying, “They brought the fight, and we got hit in the mouth.”
Missing star receiver Evan Stewart, the Ducks struggled to replicate the big plays that carried them to victory in their first matchup with Ohio State.
Next Steps in the CFP
With the win, Ohio State advances to the Cotton Bowl on January 10, where they’ll face No. 4 Texas. The Longhorns narrowly defeated Arizona State in a thrilling Peach Bowl double-overtime matchup earlier in the day.
Oregon, meanwhile, will reflect on a season of missed opportunities despite a strong Big Ten debut.
Takeaways
- Ohio State: This victory marked the Buckeyes’ largest margin of victory over a No. 1 team, solidifying their position as a CFP title contender.
- Oregon: The Ducks’ first-round bye in the 12-team playoff exposed the risks of extended rest, leading to a sluggish performance in Pasadena.
Up Next
- Ohio State: Faces Texas in the Cotton Bowl for a spot in the national championship game.
- Oregon: Opens the 2025 season at home against Montana State, a potential FCS champion.
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