Ohio State gets its revenge over Oregon in Rose Bowl blowout, advances to College Football Playoff semifinal

A Cotton Bowl semifinal against Texas awaits the Buckeyes after another impressive postseason win

The rematch of college football's game of the regular season failed to live up to the hype as No. 8 seed Ohio State took out its pent-up frustrations on top seed Oregon in a 41-21 victory in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff. 

The first meeting between the Big Ten foes on Oct. 12 -- a 32-31 win for the Ducks in Autzen Stadium -- featured seven lead changes, but the Buckeyes took a 7-0 advantage on a three-play drive within the first minute of action and never looked back. Fueling the blowout was a potent passing attack led by superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith, who demonstrated his unique body control and catch radius while hauling in a season-best 187 yards and two touchdowns on just seven receptions despite entering the game as an obvious focal point of the Ducks' defensive efforts. 

Ohio State led by as many as 34 points in the first half before Oregon made a brief run between the end of the second quarter and start of the third quarter with back-to-back scores that cut the lead to 19. However, the Buckeyes were able to respond and kept the Ducks at more than arm's length throughout. 

With star wide receiver Evan Stewart ruled out during pre-game warmups, Oregon's offense failed to find the same success it did against Ohio State's defense in October -- at least when it mattered. Though quarterback Dillon Gabriel finished his college career with 299 yards passing and tied Case Keenum's all-time mark of 155 career touchdowns, he looked uncomfortable throughout much of the first half until the offense's first scoring drive as time expired before the half. Hindering matters was a non-existent running game: Oregon racked up just 21 yards on the ground (not including sacks, of which the Buckeyes had eight when the Ducks allowed 13 all season). Ohio State's defense ruled the trenches, marking a complete reversal from the October game. 

Oregon's quest for a national championship and undefeated season ends at 13-1. Ohio State will face (5) Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinal. 

• Wednesday's result was the first 20-point loss by a No. 1 team since 2019 CFP title game (Clemson 44, Alabama 16).
• Smith's 187 yards receiving are the fifth-most in a CFP game. Additionally, he set an Ohio State record for most receiving yards in a game by a freshman and a new Big Ten record for most touchdown catches by a freshman (14) in a season.
• With the victory, the Buckeyes have passed arch-rival Michigan for most Rose Bowl wins at 10. That's second only to USC at 25.
• Counting sacks, Oregon had -23 yards rushing. That's the second-worst total ever for a No. 1 team since 2000. Only Florida (-36 vs. Auburn in 2001) had a lower total.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the game with highlights, updates and analysis. Read on below for takeaways from Ohio State's win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl

[Jan 1, 2025 at 9:00 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

What's next for the Ducks?

Heading into the 2024 season, Oregon was among the top tier of national title contenders. The Ducks got off to a slow start with close calls against Idaho of the FCS ranks and Boise State in consecutive weeks, but they've been lights-out since then and finished the season as the only undefeated team. 

But their first game back was a disaster. Even with multiple weeks to rest and prepare, Oregon looked lost early against the Buckeyes and was clearly outmatched. This was coach Dan Lanning's best team in Eugene, evidenced by its run through the Big Ten as first-year members. While it's difficult to run the table on the way to a national title -- and in Oregon's defense, it faced harder-than-it-should-have-been road through the CFP as a 1-seed -- one has to wonder if this team couldn't get it done, will the program ever be able to do it?

Figuring out a way to reset and reload entering the 2025 season will be the story of the offseason for the Ducks. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 8:54 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Once embarrassed, Ohio State answered the call 

Remember when this Ohio State team lost to Michigan? That seems like a lifetime ago. The Buckeyes have been a different team since in the postseason. The offense was crisp on Wednesday thanks to heavy doses of Smith and Emeka Egbuka in the passing game, as well as TreVeyon Henderson's explosiveness in the run game. 

And don't forget about the defense, which was every bit as impressive and circled the wagons following an embarrassing performance against the Ducks in October. The Buckeyes sacked Dillon Gabriel eight times and kept him off script until the latter stages of the game when the outcome wasn't in doubt. 

After getting pushed around in the trenches by Oregon the first time around, the Buckeyes had a much more dominant showing in Pasadena. Whatever the difference -- motivation almost assuredly played a role -- it was night and day. Everything starts up front, and Ohio State won the battle in the trenches. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 8:49 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Jeremiah Smith is a generational talent

Smith is a superstar, full stop. If Ohio State's freshman wide receiver (hypothetically) declared for the NFL Draft this spring (he can't), he would be in the conversation for the No. 1overall pick. It's not hyperbole, he's that good. 

Although Smith has had many jaw-dropping moments in his freshman season, the former No. 1 ranked player in the 2024 recruiting cycle by 247Sports put on a clinic in the win over Oregon. Smith caught seven passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns as part of a record-setting day.

The Buckeyes have enjoyed an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver over the years, from Garrett Wilson to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., all of whom were considered among the best to ever do it at a school known for its wideout talent. And yet Smith really might be the most generationally talented of them all. With Smith playing his best football now, the Buckeyes have a legitimate chance to make a national title run. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 8:32 pm ET · Ben Kercheval]

Ohio State gets its revenge, blows out Oregon

Final: (8) Ohio State 41, (1) Oregon 21

The rematch of college football's game of the regular season failed to live up to the hype as No. 8 seed Ohio State took out its pent-up frustrations on top seed Oregon in a 41-21 victory in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff. 

The first meeting between the Big Ten foes on Oct. 12 -- a 32-31 win for the Ducks in Autzen Stadium -- featured seven lead changes, but the Buckeyes took a 7-0 advantage on a three-play drive within the first minute of action and never looked back. Fueling the blowout was a potent passing attack led by superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith, who demonstrated his unique body control and catch radius while hauling in a season-best 187 yards and two touchdowns on just seven receptions despite entering the game as an obvious focal point of the Ducks' defensive efforts. 

Ohio State led by as many as 34 points in the first half before Oregon made a brief run between the end of the second quarter and start of the third quarter with back-to-back scores that cut the lead to 19. However, the Buckeyes were able to respond and kept the Ducks at more than arm's length throughout. 

With star wide receiver Evan Stewart ruled out during pre-game warmups, Oregon's offense failed to find the same success it did against Ohio State's defense in October -- at least when it mattered. Though quarterback Dillon Gabriel finished his college career with 299 yards passing and tied Case Keenum's all-time mark of 155 career touchdowns, he looked uncomfortable throughout much of the first half until the offense's first scoring drive as time expired before the half. Hindering matters was a non-existent running game: Oregon racked up just 21 yards on the ground (not including sacks, of which the Buckeyes had eight when the Ducks allowed 13 all season). Ohio State's defense ruled the trenches, marking a complete reversal from the October game. 

Oregon's quest for a national championship and undefeated season ends at 13-1. Ohio State will face (5) Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinal. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 8:07 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Oregon finds the end zone

Q4: Ohio State 41, Oregon 21

We're not quite finished here yet. Dillon Gabriel finds Traeshon Holden for a 27-yard field goal to make this a 20-point game with 10 minutes left to play. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:50 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State is preparing to face Texas

END 3Q: Ohio State 41, Oregon 15

For a few minutes it looked as though Oregon might do the unthinkable. After scoring just before halftime, the Ducks marched straight down the field for another touchdown to open the third quarter. Then the Ducks defense forced a three-and-out for the first time all day.

Was a comeback in the cards?

Nope! Ohio State's defense got back to work, forced an Oregon punt, and the Buckeyes responded with another long, deflating touchdown drive. Things got so bad that, late in the third, facing a fourth-and-short near midfield, Dan Lanning -- one of the most aggressive coaches in the sport on fourth downs -- decided to punt.

He didn't actually wave a white flag, but it felt like a symbolic gesture.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:48 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Dan Lanning waved the white flag

Facing a fourth-and-4 at the Oregon 41-yard line, Oregon punted. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:43 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

It was fun entertaining a possible comeback for a while

Q3: Ohio State 41, Oregon 15

So much for the tension. After allowing a touchdown to start the second half, and then going three-and-out on offense, Ohio State got right back down to business. A six-play, 56-yard touchdown drive that ends with TreVeyon Henderson scoring his second touchdown of the day from eight yards out.

17 more minutes of admiring the scenery and awaiting a coronation.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:37 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Not ideal!

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:35 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon can't capitalize

MID 3Q: Ohio State 34, Oregon 15

After Oregon forced Ohio State to punt for the first time, the Ducks' offense couldn't capitalize. Oregon was forced to punt and Ohio State will takeover near midfield. The Buckeyes can essentially put this game away for good with points here.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:29 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State goes three-and-out

Q3: Ohio State 34, Oregon 15

Hmmmm, that's interesting. After living in a clean pocket for the entire first half (Oregon didn't have a single tackle for loss), it's suddenly Will Howard under duress in the pocket. Oregon still doesn't have a tackle for loss or sack, but it got Howard off his spot and forced him to throw on the move, which he did not do a great job of.

It's the first three-and-out of the day for the Ohio State offense.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:24 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Oregon seems to have adjusted

I have no idea what Ohio State was doing with its coverages in the first half because it's impossible to tell on the television feed, but it was clear watching Dillon Gabriel in the pocket he had no idea what the hell he was looking at. Or, at the very least, he wasn't seeing anything he expected to see when dropping back.

Gabriel looked a lot more comfortable on the opening drive of the second half. Ohio State continues to get good pressure and its defensive line is winning plenty of battles, but Gabriel has a much better idea of what he's doing and is handling the pressure much better because of it.

Of course, the question is, can Oregon defense make the same kind of adjustments that will allow them to get back into the game?

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:22 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon has (some) momentum

EARLY 3Q: Ohio State 34, Oregon 15

After Oregon closed the first half with its best drive of the day, the Ducks opened the second half with another drive that ended with points. Oregon went on an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 2-yard touchdown run by Noah Whittington. This game isn't over, yet.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 7:19 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon without two star playmakers

Oregon star wide receiver Evan Stewart hasn't played a snap in today's Rose Bowl after getting "banged up" in pre-game warmups, Lanning told ESPN radio at halftime. Starting running back Jordan James is being elevated for a head injury and hasn't played on Oregon's opening drive of the second half.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:44 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State is blowing the wings off Oregon

HALF: Ohio State 34, Oregon 8

Raise your hand if you thought before the day's games started that the Peach Bowl would go to overtime, and the Rose Bowl would be over by halftime? If you're hand is up, congratulations for being correct, but you may want to have your head examined anyway.

In what is one of the most shocking performances of the season, Ohio State is blowing the wings off Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes scored 60 seconds into the game on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith and simply never stopped from there. A few minutes later, it was a 42-yard touchdown to Emeka Egbuka, and that's when the floodgates truly opened.

Oregon was able to get a touchdown on the final play of the first half, which it desperately needed, but it's hard to imagine it'll make an impact on the end result.

Ohio State has 390 yards on offense already, with Will Howard throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith has caught 5 passes for 161 yards (a career high) and 2 touchdowns.

Oregon has 139 yards as a team.

The Ducks will get the ball to start the second half, which gives them a chance to cut into the lead a bit more. If we're hoping for any kind of drama in the second half, they'll have to.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:29 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State held to a field goal again

Q2: Ohio State 34, Oregon 0

Time to panic? Ohio State was only able to move 43 yards in 10 plays on its latest possession, and instead of scoring a touchdown, it had to kick a field goal.

Is Ryan Day on the hot seat?

Is the season over?

Stay tuned!

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:19 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

You'll never guess what happened

Q2: Ohio State 31, Oregon 0

I'm starting to get cramps in my hands. Ohio State just refuses to let me rest.

TreVeyon Henderson just went 66 yards to the house on the first play of Ohio State's latest possession. It's 31-0. Ohio State has 347 yards of offense and 31 points, and there is still 8:47 remaining in the first half. It looks like Ohio State is playing NCAA on Freshman Mode. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:18 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon's offense can't do anything 

EARLY 2Q: Ohio State 31, Oregon 0

Stop me if you have heard this before: Oregon was forced to punt. Ohio State's defense is flying around and Oregon's defense isn't doing them any favors. It's all Ohio State here at the Rose Bowl.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:08 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

It's a blowout now

Q2: Ohio State 24, Oregon 0

Oregon is forced to go for it at midfield on fourth down and fails. Two plays later, it's a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith.

This is incredible. I saw this game going plenty of ways, but a clowning was not in the cards. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 6:05 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon's gamble fails

EARLY 2Q: Ohio State 17, Oregon 0

With Oregon trailing by three possessions early in the second quarter, coach Dan Lanning decided to roll the rice and go for it on fourth-and-short near midfield. It was an understandable decision; this game is on the verge of getting out of hand. Gabriel's pass fell incomplete, however, and Ohio State will take over near midfield with a chance to blow this game open.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:57 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State has to settle for a field goal this time

Q2: Ohio State 17, Oregon 0

It's truly wild that Ohio State puts together a 10-play, 63-yard field goal drive and it feels like a letdown. That's just how good the Buckeyes offense has been to this point. Will Howard is already at 212 yards passing.

It's already a three-score game early in the second, and it doesn't take a genius (thankfully, I'm not one) to realize Oregon is in desperate need of points and quick.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:52 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Ohio State off to incredible start

End 1: Ohio State 14, Oregon 0

If you were wondering if Ohio State could possibly look as sharp in the Rose Bowl as it did against Tennessee in the first round, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the Buckeyes might be playing better to start the Rose Bowl They've jumped out to a 14-0 lead over Oregon after a quarter and are threatening to extend the lead shortly.

Will Howard found Jeremiah Smith for a 45-yard touchdown on the third play of the game and hit Emeka Egbuka for a 42-yard touchdown two possessions later. Smith is already up to 118 yards receiving on four catches, while Will Howard has thrown for 212 yards.

As for Oregon, it hasn't done anything on offense. The Ducks have 37 yards total and have managed only two first downs, but both came on separate possessions.

The Buckeyes will start the second quarter at the Oregon 33, and things are already looking desperate in the Rose Bowl.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:46 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon forced to punt, again

LATE 1Q: Ohio State 14, Oregon 0

Oregon is approaching the danger zone. The Ducks just punted on their third possession of the game, and Ohio State has a chance to take advantage. Coming into the day, Oregon's largest deficit was eight against Ohio State back in October. Oregon's defense has no answers for Smith.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:44 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Impressive showing by Ohio State's defense so far

In the first meeting, Ohio State wasn't able to get much pressure on Dillon Gabriel, but that hasn't been the case today. The Buckeyes have held the Ducks to 37 yards on 13 plays and have three tackles for a loss. 

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:38 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Will Howard with a dime to Egbuka

Q1: Ohio State 14, Oregon 0

Rule of thumb today is that any Ohio State possession that lasts longer than three plays is a failure. For the second time today, the Buckeyes put together a three-play TD drive, this one ending with an absolutely incredible throw by Will Howard to Emeka Egbuka for a 42-yard touchdown.

It's 14-0 before the end of the first quarter, and the Ducks are already in trouble.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:32 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon's offense is struggling

MID 1H: Ohio State 7, Oregon 0

For the second consecutive drive, Oregon's offense did nothing. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel targeted Tez Johnson on third-and-8, but his pass was almost intercepted by Caleb Downs. Oregon has run six plays for 11 total yards.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:27 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Jeremiah Smith is working, but the rest of the Ohio State offense?

So two possessions into the game, Jeremiah Smith has three receptions for 86 yards and a 45-yard touchdown. The rest of the Ohio State offense hasn't been nearly as effective. They've only rushed for a yard on two carries to this point, and aside from the 30-yard completion to Gee Scott on the first play of the game, Will Howard hasn't completed a pass to anybody other than Smith.

Ohio State is forced to punt and Oregon will get another shot at its 20-yard line.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:19 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon's first drive goes nowhere

EARLY 1H: Ohio State 7, Oregon 0

Oregon's first drive resulted in a three-and-out after Oregon running back Jordan James was tackled short of the sticks. Ohio State will take over at its own 22-yard line to open up the drive.

[Jan 1, 2025 at 5:16 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Incredible start for Ohio State

Ohio State 7, Oregon 0

The openind drive of the Rose Bowl covered 75 yards in three plays, as Will Howard his Gee Scott for 30 yards on the first play. Then, after an incompletion, he hit Jeremiah Smith on a short pass, and Smith weaved his way through the defense for a 45-yard touchdown.

It's 7-0 Buckeyes and some fans in Pasadena might not even have found their seats yet.