Pasadena, Calif. — In a stunning turnaround from their earlier season encounter, the Ohio State Buckeyes decisively defeated the Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

The eighth-seeded Buckeyes, boasting a record of 12-2, entered the game determined to avenge their previous close loss to the Ducks, who came in as the No. 1 seed and unbeaten at 13-1. With Jeremiah Smith shining on the biggest stage, Ohio State raced out to an early lead that left little doubt about the outcome.

Ohio State’s offense exploded in the first half, scoring 34 points, as Smith caught two of quarterback Will Howard's impressive touchdown passes of 45 and 43 yards. Howard finished the game with 319 yards passing, showcasing exceptional efficiency and playmaking ability, leading the Buckeyes to maintain control throughout the contest AP News.

Defensively, Ohio State was relentless, holding Oregon’s run game to a historic -26 rushing yards, marking the Ducks’ worst performance in over a decade. The Buckeyes' defense registered eight sacks against Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel, contrasting starkly with their earlier matchup where they failed to record any.

Despite entering the game with momentum after a convincing win in the Big Ten Championship, Oregon struggled to find its rhythm. Their first five possessions resulted in zero points and left coach Dan Lanning describing the day as, “It wasn’t our day.” He acknowledged that the coaching staff didn’t have a strong enough game plan and failed to adjust accordingly as the game unfolded USA Today.

The game began with an explosive play by freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith on the Buckeyes’ third offensive play, reminiscent of their earlier matchup that had seen Oregon win in a nail-biting finish. The reversal of fortunes was palpable as Ohio State led 34-0 by halftime, creating an uphill battle for the Ducks.

Oregon did manage to score before halftime and added a touchdown early in the second half, but it proved merely cosmetic as Ohio State continued to answer back, leading to two more touchdowns in the final minutes. The defeat not only ended Oregon’s 14-game winning streak but also underscored the challenges of maintaining momentum in the new 12-team playoff format USA Today.

This win places Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal against No. 5 Texas, who held off Arizona State in an intense Peach Bowl encounter. As both teams gear up for this upcoming match, their paths from the Rose Bowl have demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the playoff stage and the fine margins that define success at this level.

The Ohio State Buckeyes' victory serves as a reminder of the power of redemption in sports—a chance to rewrite narratives and set the stage for what lies ahead in their quest for championship glory.