In a statement performance at the frigid Ohio Stadium on Saturday night, No. 8 Ohio State routed No. 9 Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the College Football Playoff, securing a New Year’s Day showdown with No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Behind a stellar performance from quarterback Will Howard, the Buckeyes (11-2) put together a complete effort to overwhelm the Volunteers (10-3).
Howard, the Kansas State transfer, delivered one of his finest performances of the season. Completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, he displayed pinpoint accuracy and poise, silencing critics after Ohio State’s four straight losses to rival Michigan. Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith was the star target, hauling in six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns, becoming only the sixth freshman in CFP history to surpass 100 receiving yards in a game.
On the ground, running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson combined for four touchdowns. Judkins was relentless in the trenches, while Henderson showcased explosive runs, amassing 80 yards on 10 carries.
Ohio State‘s offense, which had struggled to find consistency late in the season, looked unstoppable, scoring on its first three drives while forcing Tennessee into early punts. By halftime, the Buckeyes led 28-10 and never looked back, finishing with 473 total yards, the most Tennessee had surrendered all season.
The Buckeyes’ defense, statistically the best in the nation, lived up to its billing. Defensive lineman JT Tuimoloau led the charge with two sacks, as Ohio State harassed Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava throughout the night.
Iamaleava, who had been a bright spot for the Vols all season, endured his toughest outing, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 104 yards and rushing 20 times for 47 yards. Tennessee managed only 256 total yards, much of it coming during garbage time. Ohio State’s defense was particularly stingy, limiting the Vols to 3.7 yards per play and controlling the line of scrimmage.
The Vols’ offense was hampered by injuries to key players. Star running back Dylan Sampson, dealing with a hamstring issue, was limited to just two carries for six yards. Wide receivers Squirrel White and Dont’e Thorton Jr. were also less than 100%, diminishing the passing game.
While Tennessee showed flashes of its dynamic potential in the second quarter with a field goal and a touchdown, they were unable to sustain momentum against Ohio State’s suffocating defense.
The game, played in 25-degree temperatures, marked the first December contest in Ohio Stadium’s 102-year history. The crowd of over 104,000 featured a significant contingent of Tennessee fans, whose presence rivaled the largest visitor turnout in recent memory. Despite their enthusiasm, they left disappointed as the Vols’ promising season came to a crushing end.
Ohio State now shifts its focus to a Rose Bowl rematch with top-seeded Oregon. The Ducks narrowly defeated the Buckeyes 32-31 earlier in the season, setting up a highly anticipated second meeting.
For Ohio State, the victory over Tennessee provided redemption and renewed hope. As the Buckeyes continue their pursuit of a national championship, Saturday’s win was a resounding reminder of their talent and determination.
