Buckeyes Defeat Volunteers 42-17 in CFP First Round

Photo By Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) defeated the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers (10-3) 42-17 in a blowout on Dec. 21 in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes were led by quarterback Will Howard as he completed 24-of-29 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. They also got a dominant performance from star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith had 6 catches for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns.

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Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava had a rough night as he only completed 14-of-31 passes for 104 yards, but did have 2 rushing touchdowns. The Buckeyes move on to the face the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0) in a rematch between the two reams from the regular season in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.

Game Summary

This one started pretty quickly with the Buckeyes going 5 plays, 75 yards on the very first drive of the game as Howard found Smith from 37-yards out for a touchdown and the Buckeyes were up 7-0 early.

The Volunteers went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, and again the Buckeyes went right down the field. This time they went 5 plays, 68 yards, as running back Quinshon Judkins ran it in from 1-yard out and it was 14-0 Buckeyes.

The Volunteers again had no answer as they fumbled on the next possession and the Buckeyes did what they had been all night, going right down the field for a touchdown. Running back Treyveon Henderson ran it in from 29-yards out and it was 21-0 Buckeyes.

The Volunteers finally got on the board late in the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal and it was 21-3 Buckeyes. The Volunteers closed out the second half with a 16 play, 79-yard drive for a touchdown as Iamaleava ran it in from 2 yards out and it was 21-10 Buckeyes going into the half.

The Buckeyes took their first drive of the second half 6 plays, 68 yards for the touchdown as Howard found Smith again from 22-yards out for a 28-10 lead. The Buckeyes extended the lead late third quarter as Judkins ran it in from 1-yard out and it was 35-10.

The Buckeyes blew the Volunteers away in this one by a final score of 42-17.

Turning Point: Buckeyes

The true turning point in this game, despite the blowout, was the fumble by the Volunteers and then immediate touchdown by the Buckeyes. That touchdown truly turned the tide in the Buckeyes favor as they never looked back in this one.

What It Means for Each Team

For the Volunteers, lots of college football fans thought they were going to pull off the upset. That was not the case. The Volunteers came out flat-footed and looked lost on offense and defense and had zero answers for the Buckeyes. Their season ends here, and they look forward to next season.

For the Buckeyes, this one was a dominant win that they had to have after the blunder in the season finale against rival Michigan. Now they get a little break before getting a rematch against Oregon in another most-anticipated and must win game for the Buckeyes.