Annihilation. Bludgeoning. Ass-kicking.
There are many ways to describe Ohio State's domination of undefeated No. 1 Oregon in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl, but in any case, the Buckeyes thoroughly dismantled one of the nation's best teams on both offense and defense Wednesday. They led 34-0 in the second quarter en route to a 41-21 victory.
Given the scope of their evisceration, the Buckeyes established themselves as national title frontrunners entering the CFP semifinals, two wins from being crowned as the sport's best team. Fifth-seeded Texas will be the next roadblock in the Cotton Bowl.
Standout performances existed all over the field for Ohio State. Jeremiah Smith took over early and is starting to prime himself as the face of college football in 2025, hauling in seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns to set a freshman single-game school receiving yards record. He won offensive MVP for the Rose Bowl while linebacker Cody Simon won defensive MVP with an 11-tackle, three-tackle-for-loss, two-sack performance.
There were a long list of other standouts including cornerback Denzel Burke, who responded in a big way after coming under fire for his performance in Ohio State's October loss to Oregon. Defensive end Jack Sawyer, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, safeties Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom, quarterback Will Howard, running back TreVeyon Henderson and the Buckeyes' offensive line also had exemplary performances.
Eleven Warriors' Andy Anders and Dan Hope reacted to the Bucks' roasting of the Ducks on the latest episode of After Carmen, which you can watch at the top of the page.
- #8 Ohio State 41, #1 Oregon 21
- • Buckeyes Dominate Ducks, 41-21
- • Buckeyes Assert Themselves at Team to Beat
- • The Day JJ Took Over
- • Watch Ohio State's Postgame Celebration
- • Ohio State Postgame • Oregon Postgame • Photos
- • Five Things • Notebook • Social Reax • Three Key Stats
