Ohio State Gets its Revenge; Rocks Oregon 41-21

Avenging a 1 – point loss to Oregon earlier this season, the Ohio State Buckeyes put together a nearly perfect game before more than 90,000 fans, and drowned the Ducks, 41-21.

Ohio State took off early. On their first possession, the Buckeyes moved 75 yards in three plays, culminating in a 45 yard touchdown pass and run from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith. Two possessions later Emeka Egbuka scored on a pass from Howard.

It was 34-0, in the second quarter.

At halftime, Oregon had scored a TD and a two-point conversion and returned for the second half seemingly motivated to make a major move. The Ohio State defense responded accordingly and put the game out of reach by the third quarter.

“Ultimately,” said Ohio State Coach Ryan Day, “it comes down to the players putting it on the field. I’m just directing them a little, but it comes down to the players.

“Every game is big at Ohio State,” he added. “The players knew that when they decided to come here.”

Oregon mounted a small but surprising rally when they scored late in the second quarter, and again in the third quarter, but by then the Ohio State juggernaut, led by receiver Smith, was seemingly scoring at will. Oregon had less than 100 yards total offense headed towards halftime.

“They executed and we didn’t,” said Oregon Coach Dan Lanning. “They clicked and we didn’t. I didn’t execute a good enough game plan.”

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith broke a Buckeyes freshman record, with 187 yards in the contest, passing the previous single-game mark of 172 set by Cris Carter in a Jan. 1, 1985 Rose Bowl matchup with USC.

Ohio State will face Texas—who defeated Arizona State earlier today—on January 10, in the semi-final match at the Cotton Bowl.

Here’s how we blogged it.

First Quarter

On their first possession, Ohio State moves 75 yards in three plays, culminating in a 45 yard touchdown pass and run from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith. PAT is good.

Ohio State 7, Oregon 0.

Ohio State gains 29 yards on their next possession.

Ohio State is stopped twice. It’s 4th and 10 Time to punt.

Oregon takes over after a touchback.

Oregon goes south of nowhere. Duck punt time.

The Buckeyes are seemingly moving easily through the Oregon defense, as Emeka Egbuka scores on a pass from Howard. Buckeyes now lead 14-0.

Ducks fail to move. They punt again. Ohio State takes over on its own 9 yard line.

Deep in its own territory, Ohio State is at second and 5.

Third and 4. A 49 yard pass from Howard to Jeremiah Smith.

Another first down for the Buckeyes. Howard runs for no gain.

At the end of the first quarter, Ohio State is leading handily, 14-0, while the Ducks appear to be floundering. Sorry.

Jayden Fielding kicks a 46 yard field goal, as Ohio State now leads 17-0.

Third and 6 for Oregon from the 29 . First down pass to Trayshen Holden.

On fourth and 3, the Ducks opt to go for the first down, as they wait for the TV timeout.

Gabriels’ pass is incomplete. Ohio State takes over on downs, like you do.

Ohio State scores again, on a 43 yard TD pass from Howard to Jeremiah Smith. PAT is good. Ohio State now leads 24-0.

After a touchback, Oregon begins the long trek from its own 25.

Ohio State will take over on its own 39 yard line.

Treyveyon Henderson takes off 68 yards south toward Colorado Boulevard for a score. Buckeyes now lead 31-0

With another field goal from Jayden Fielding, the Buckeyes now lead 34-0.

After a touchback on the kickoff, Oregon will begin on its own 25.

After a touchback on the kickoff, Oregon will begin on its own 25.

Oregon makes its biggest play of the game, as they score a first down. Gabriel is smothered for a six-yard loss.

And, to everyone’s surprise, Gabriel scores on a 12 yard pass to Holden, in 10 plays covering 75 yards, and the Ducks then score on a two-point conversion.

Halftime score: Ohio State 34, Oregon 8.

Third Quarter

Oregon is now on the Ohio State 2-yard line on second down. They call a time out. Noah Whittington scores, making the score Ohio State 34,and the Oregon Ducks, 15.

The Oregon crowd is loud and animated now as the Ducks take over on their 25, QB Gabriel is sacked, ending the drive. Ohio State takes over after a lame Oregon punt.

After a face mask penalty, Ohio State is back in familiar territory, near the Oregon goal, first and 10. TreyVeon Henderson runs it in from there.

Ohio State 41, Oregon 15.

The third quarter ends with Ohio state on its own three yard line.

Ohio State 41, Oregon 15.

Fourth Quarter

Ohio State will end its drive with a punt. Ted Johnson fields it at the Oregon 49, for a fair catch.

On fourth and 11. From the 36, Gabriel completes a 12 yard pass to Johnson. For a first down.

On fourth and 11 from the 36, Gabriel completes a 12 yard pass to Johnson or a first down. Following an illegal pass penalty, Gabriel tosses a 27-yard TD to Treyshawn Holden.

Ohio State 41, Oregon 21.