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Ohio State Dominates Rose Bowl, Shuts Down Oregon in Epic Rematch
Well, now, that was somewhat unexpected. What was supposed to be a hard-fought rematch turned into one of the biggest beatdowns of the season. Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes transformed from mentally soft underachievers to juggernauts and favorites to win the national championship—all in just 21 days.
Before diving into the game, let’s address the elephant in the room: having a bye in the first round of the playoffs isn’t the advantage many think it is. None of the teams with last week off performed well in the first half, and some didn’t even recover by the second.
Ohio State’s Explosive Start Sets the Tone
From the opening kickoff, the Buckeyes were on fire. Ohio State wasted no time, making it clear they intended to put the ball in Jeremiah Smith's hands. Just three plays and one minute into the game, quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith for a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Oregon, meanwhile, couldn’t keep quarterback Dillon Gabriel comfortable in the pocket and went three-and-out. This set up Ohio State’s next score: a 42-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Emeka Egbuka, even after the ball was tipped.
Ohio State's defense, often overlooked, proved its dominance once again. Since their last meeting with Oregon, they’ve allowed zero passing touchdowns until garbage time in this matchup. Their stellar play forced Oregon into early mistakes and kept them from finding any rhythm.
A Commanding First Half
Ohio State continued to pile on the points in the second quarter. Jayden Fielding nailed a 46-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-0. Shortly after, Jeremiah Smith found the end zone again with a 43-yard touchdown grab. TreVeyon Henderson then broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run, showcasing his elite speed and power. Another Fielding field goal from 36 yards pushed Ohio State’s lead to a commanding 34-0.
Oregon managed to get on the board before halftime with Traeshon Holden's touchdown catch, but it was clear the Ducks were outmatched. Halftime score: Ohio State 34, Oregon 8.
Second Half: Same Script, Different Quarter
The Rose Bowl often features dramatic second-half comebacks, but this year was different. Oregon opened the third quarter with a promising drive that ended in Dillon Gabriel’s second touchdown connection with Traeshon Holden, cutting the deficit to 34-15. However, the stop Oregon desperately needed never came. TreVeyon Henderson added another highlight to his incredible performance, finishing a 56-yard drive with a touchdown to push the lead to 41-15.
Credit to Oregon for their resilience—Dillon Gabriel and Traeshon Holden connected for a third touchdown late in the game. But no team was beating Ohio State on this night.
A Statement Win for the Buckeyes
The final margin of victory might have been slim in their October meeting, but this rematch told a different story. Will Howard was electric, throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith delivered an elite performance with 187 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s defense terrorized Oregon’s offensive line, racking up eight sacks.
This dominant performance solidifies why Ohio State is the team to beat. Their blend of explosive offense, relentless defense, and superstar playmakers has left the rest of the college football world chasing them.
Key Takeaways
- Will Howard: 300 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Jeremiah Smith: 187 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Ohio State Defense: 8 sacks, relentless pressure
- TreVeyon Henderson: Highlight runs that left Oregon in the dust
Ohio State didn’t just win the Rose Bowl—they sent a clear message. The Buckeyes are peaking at the right time, and the national championship is theirs to lose.
