Defensive back Jabbar Muhammad of the Oregon Ducks is called for a facemask against running back Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl in the CFP quarterfinal game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches pass for a first down over linebacker Jeffrey Bassa #2 of the Oregon Ducks in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Head Coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for the touchdown past defensive back Jabbar Muhammad #7 of the Oregon Ducks in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaps for the touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 hold a finger to his face to quite Oregon Ducks fans as he scores against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard #18 celebrate his touchdown pass to Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 scores the first touchdown of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 makes the catch over Oregon Ducks defensive back Nikko Reed #9 in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 gets a lift from Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman #75 after his touchdown catch against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 makes the catch over Oregon Ducks defensive back Nikko Reed #9 in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola #77 and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman #75 protect Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard #18 Oregon Ducks defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington #52 in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Oregon Ducks defensive back Jabbar Muhammad #7 and Oregon Ducks defensive back Tysheem Johnson #0 stop Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate #17 after the catch in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 makes the touchdown catch against Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes fans cheer after a touchdown against Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer #33 and Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau #44 celebrate after knocking down Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 pass in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 makes the touchdown catch as Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Johnson #3 defends in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson #15 is hit by Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles #6 and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jordan Hancock #7 after the catch in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau #44 and Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams #91 celebrate after sacking Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes Big Nut celebrates after a Ohio State Buckeyes touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl Game and CFP quarterfinal in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Oregon Ducks fan cheers against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Head Coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks enters the field prior to the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Oregon Ducks fans cheer against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks passes against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scrambles for yardage against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Defensive end Caden Curry #92 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Ohio State Buckeyes fans react after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a first down against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches pass for first down over defensive back Kobe Savage #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass over defensive back Brandon Johnson #3 of the Oregon Ducks for a touchdown in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the 111th Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal playoff football game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 36Defensive back Jabbar Muhammad of the Oregon Ducks is called for a facemask against running back Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 111th Rose Bowl in the CFP quarterfinal game in Pasadena on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
ExpandLOS ANGELES — Long before the swirls of pink descended over the San Gabriel Mountains, a wave of green swelled and crashed upon the population of Pasadena, buoyed by liquid courage and the dream of an undefeated Oregon season that had taken college football by storm.
Their Ducks, after all, were the darlings of college football. They took the turf at the Rose Bowl for warm-ups on Saturday with chrome helmets, glinting under the sun’s rays, the Phil Knight-backed flash that had placed No. 1-seeded Oregon at the forefront of the Big Ten conversation ever since they showed up at July’s conference media days in Indianapolis with a massive Duck floatie christening the White River. And for every Ohio State fan that walked the concourse at the Rose Bowl, this New Year’s Day, there were legions of Grinch-green Ducks, erupting in a shared call-and-response. Go! Ducks! Go! Ducks!
They were raucous and rowdy to begin this 41-21 Ohio State win, Oregon’s players flapping their arms in glee to their loyal legions before kickoff in Wednesday’s titanic rematch, and then Will Howard dropped back a minute later on Ohio State’s third play of the afternoon and floated a dump-off to a streaking Jeremiah Smith.
Smith, the 19-year-old who’d issued a public warning to Oregon to avoid playing him in man coverage, saw daylight. He went 45 yards, sprint slowing to a stroll by the time he hit the end zone, not a minute of game-clock in. The freshman superstar turned to the sea of green in the Rose Bowl stands, lifted his finger, and placed it to his visor.
Shush.
And the rampage began.
They were raucous, and rowdy, yes, and then this wave of green stood shell-shocked for the better part of two quarters. Oregon’s undefeated run came to a brutal end in Wednesday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the hands of Smith, who burst free in open fields and snared balls through double-coverage and walked away with Ohio State’s single-game freshman record for receiving yards with 187. It ended at the hands of Howard, who attacked one-on-one matchups with glee. It ended at the hands of offensive coordinator and ex-UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who schemed his Buckeyes to a 34-0 lead against his former Ducks at his former Rose Bowl home; it ended as Ryan Day continued to shrug the big-game monkey off his back, now with back-to-back wins over no. 7 Tennessee and top-ranked Oregon.
And it ended with powerhouse Ohio State making good, fully, on the weight of expectation placed on them since the season began, rolling into the CFP semifinal as the odds-on favorite in a wide-open field.
The first half came as redemption, too, for every area of Ohio State’s program, expunging the memory of a grueling 32-31 loss to Oregon in Autzen two months earlier. Gone was Howard’s too-late slide as that October clock hit zeroes. Gone was Smith’s costly pass-interference call. Gone was the distant memory of a defense that couldn’t stop Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
From kickoff, Howard whipped out a six-shooter and gunned a slew of shots deep in Oregon’s secondary, launching a 42-yard first-quarter bomb down the sideline to a streaking Emeka Egbuka for a quick two-touchdown lead.
Smith lit up the Rose Bowl in a ridiculous 161-yard first-half, springing home free in the second quarter for a 43-yard score and leaping into Christiano Ronaldo’s famed “SIUUU” celebration in the end zone with a 24-0 lead.
And a different-look Ohio State defense — a unit that hadn’t allowed 20 points in any game since that October loss — completely stifled Gabriel and Oregon’s offense, holding them to a cycle of ineffectual screens and bottled-up handoffs in a goose egg for 29 minutes.
The Ducks, though, got moving with an end-of-half score. Gabriel darted in and out of pockets within the pocket on an opening second-half drive, wheeling and connecting on a 25-yard strike to tight end Terrance Ferguson, setting up a short touchdown plunge by Noah Whittington to cut Ohio State’s lead to 34-15.
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Two plays later, Ohio State back TreVeyon Henderson scampered into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, the Buckeyes’ defense pummeled Gabriel with seven second-half sacks, and the Buckeyes walked out of Pasadena born anew.
Howard finished 17 of 26 for 319 yards and three touchdowns in front of an announced crowd of 90,732 at the Rose Bowl. Gabriel was 29 of 41 passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer totaled two sacks, two tackles for loss and three pass breakups in a dominant performance.
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