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Oregon Gets Dragged 41-21 vs Ohio State

by:Linden Hile•01/01/25
Jeremiah Smith Rose Bowl
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith catches a pass against the Oregon Ducks. (Photo by: Eric Becker/ScoopDuckOn3)

The Oregon Ducks took on the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Day and got routed worse than they have in years. Below is a quarter-by-quarter recap of what was a brutal game for the Oregon program.

First Quarter

Ohio State’s first drive was about as explosive as possible with tight end Gee Scott Jr. making a big catch down the right sideline before receiver Jeremiah Smith broke a flat route pass for a 45-yard touchdown. After a couple of stalled drives both ways, quarterback Will Howard hit receiver Emeka Egbuka deep down the middle for six, making it 14-0 Buckeyes.

Second Quarter

The Ducks’ defense finally stemmed the tide a bit and forced Ohio State into a field goal early in the quarter after another strong passing drive, bringing it to 17-0. On its next possession, Ohio State aired it out deep to Smith again who scored a 43-yard touchdown to make it 24-0.

After another stalled Oregon drive, the Buckeyes got running back Tre’Veyon Henderson an outside carry that he took 66 yards for yet another explosive touchdown. On its next drive, the Buckeyes called plays a bit more conservatively, netting themselves a field goal to send the Ducks down 34-0.

Oregon’s first solid drive of the game came next as nice intermediate passes to receiver Traeshon Holden and tight end Terrance Ferguson got the team in position for a buzzer-beater touchdown pass from quarterback Dillon Gabriel to Holden as well as a two-point conversion, making it 34-8 at the half.

Third Quarter

Oregon was able to put together a good drive through the air again on its first of the quarter and converted with a Noah Whittington carry at the goal line, bringing it back to 34-15. The Buckeyes were able to rebound from a loss of momentum with two great catches from Smith before Henderson punched in an eight-yard pitch off the edge to make it 41-15.

Fourth Quarter

Oregon’s first drive of the quarter involved lots of scrambling from Gabriel and tricky plays, capped off by an over-the-middle touchdown lob to Holden to make it 41-21 Ohio State. No further scores were added and the Buckeyes secured their second straight dominant win in the College Football Playoff.

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