The Ohio State Buckeyes bounced back in a big way on Saturday, shaking off the pain of their recent home loss to Michigan with a resounding victory over the Tennessee Volunteers.
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Playing in the first-ever December game at Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes put on a dominant performance, earning their first College Football Playoff victory since 2020. With the 42-17 victory, Ohio State moved up a spot in the Rose Bowl, where they face the undefeated Oregon Ducks in a highly anticipated showdown.
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It was a freezing 25 degrees at kickoff, but Ohio State came out hot, scoring on its first three possessions to take control of the game early.
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By the end of the first quarter, the Buckeyes led 21-0 and Tennessee found itself in a hole it couldn’t climb out of. While the Volunteers put together a strong 16-play, 79-yard drive to score 10 points in the second quarter, their defense held Ohio State scoreless during that stretch, but couldn’t keep the momentum going.
The Buckeyes delivered a major blow in the third quarter, just when it looked like Tennessee might make a push. Quarterback Will Howard targeted wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who dominated single coverage. Howard connected with Smith on a perfectly placed fade for a 22-yard touchdown to end a six-play, 65-yard drive, torching defensive back Jermond McCoy.
Smith had already set the tone in the first drive with a similar run, beating Rickey Gibson for a score. The duo’s connection highlighted Ohio State’s offensive firepower, which was simply too much for Tennessee to handle.
Howard finished the game with 311 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Smith had six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s balanced attack and stifling defense left little doubt about the outcome, as the Volunteers struggled to keep pace.
The Buckeyes now focus on the Rose Bowl and a rematch with Oregon. One of Ohio State’s two losses this season came at the hands of the Ducks in a mid-October matchup, where Oregon won 32-21.
With just over a week to rest and prepare, Ohio State will aim to even the score and maintain its championship aspirations. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the Buckeyes will be eager to make the most of their chance at redemption on college football’s biggest stage.
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