PASADENA, Calif. (WCMH) — In a highly anticipated rematch of Big Ten opponents, eighth-seeded Ohio State took down top-seeded Oregon 41-21 on Wednesday night in the Rose Bowl to advance to a College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Buckeyes used a dominant first half that included three touchdown passes from Will Howard, two of which went to freshman Jeremiah Smith, to spring out to a 34-0 lead. The quarterback completed 17 of 26 attempts for 319 yards and no interceptions. Smith had seven catches for 187 yards. And the defense remained consistent, sacking Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel eight times.
The win provided redemption for an Ohio State squad that lost to Oregon by one point in the regular season and handed the Ducks their only loss of the year.
Look: Images from the fourth quarter and postgame
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Cody Simon #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Wide Receiver Traeshon Holden #1 of the Oregon Ducks scores a touchdown on a 27 yards reception during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes kisses the Leishman Trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks 41-21 during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after defeating the Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ohio State took an early 7-0 lead on its opening drive after quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith for 45 yards. Howard struck again with another deep throw, this time to Emeka Egbuka for 42 yards to put the Buckeyes up 14-0 with 7:31 to go in the opening quarter.
Jayden Fielding added a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter to put OSU in front 17-0. Then Smith scored his second touchdown with a 43 yard catch from Howard to extend the lead to 24-0. TreVeyon Henderson scored the first rushing touchdown of the day with a 66-yard run and Fielding added a 36-yard field goal to put OSU up 34-0.
Look: Third quarter action from the Rose Bowl
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Noah Whittington #6 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Traeshon Holden #1 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Lathan Ransom #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the third quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 1: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass against defensive back Dontae Manning #8 of the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Noah Whittington #6 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Cody Simon #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the third quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled by Devon Jackson #26 of the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a first down during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Pasadena, California January 1, 2025-Ohio St. quarterback Will Howard celebrates with his touchdown pass with receiver Jeremiah Smith against Oregon in the second quarter in the quarterfinal of the CFP playoffs at the Rose Bowl Wednesday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Oregon finally got on the board after Dillon Gabriel threw a five-yard pass to Traeshon Holden with three seconds left in the half. Gabriel then connected with Justius Lowe for a two-point conversion, trailing OSU 34-8. The Ducks came out of the locker room and used to long, sustained drive which ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Noah Whittington to get Oregon within 19.
Look: Second quarter action from the Rose Bowl
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Noah Whittington #6 of the Oregon Ducks is hit by JT Tuimoloau #44 and Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Bryce Boettcher #28 of the Oregon Ducks breaks up a pass intended for TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks is sacked by JT Tuimoloau #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Davison Igbinosun #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a sack during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks is chased by Tyleik Williams #91 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ohio State extended the lead back to 26 after TreVeyon Henderson scored the Buckeyes' second rushing touchdown of the day with an eight yard run late in the third quarter. The Ducks got within 20 after Gabriel connected with Holden again for a 27-yard touchdown but missed the two point conversion.
Look: First quarter action from the Rose Bowl
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a touchdown catch against Brandon Johnson #3 of the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Gee Scott Jr. #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes jumps over Kobe Savage #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Davison Igbinosun #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes breaks up a pass intended for Tez Johnson #15 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes avoids a tackle from Tysheem Johnson #0 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Ferguson #3 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Jordan Hancock #7 and Denzel Burke #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown against Tysheem Johnson #0 and Brandon Johnson #3 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Buckeyes will now face No. 5 seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
Look: Ohio State arrives at the Rose Bowl
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks to the stadium prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Davison Igbinosun #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes interacts with fans prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes players walk to the stadium prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the outside of the stadium prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during warm ups prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the inside of the stadium prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes directs his team during warm ups prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes fans pose for a photo outside the stadium prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
