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In the first-ever College Football Playoff game held in December at Ohio Stadium, the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a commanding 42-17 victory over No. 9 Tennessee. The win not only secured the Buckeyes’ spot in the CFP quarterfinals but also set up a highly anticipated rematch against No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Setting the Tone Early
Ohio State wasted no time establishing dominance. Will Howard opened the scoring with a 37-yard touchdown pass to freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes followed with a series of explosive plays, including a 29-yard touchdown run by TreVeyon Henderson and a one-yard plunge by Quinshon Judkins. The Buckeyes’ offense executed to near perfection, scoring on their first three drives to race out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
“We called this game more aggressively,” said Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. “Our guys were locked in from the start, and it showed.”
Tennessee managed to respond with a second-quarter field goal and a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Nico Iamaleava to make it 21-10 at halftime. However, the Volunteers were unable to carry that momentum into the second half.
Will Howard Efficient, Defense Relentless
Will Howard led the Buckeyes’ offense with precision, completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith, the freshman receiver, caught six passes for 103 yards and both of Howard’s touchdown throws, showcasing why he’s one of the most exciting young players in college football.
The defense, led by JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, stifled Tennessee’s offense. The Buckeyes recorded four sacks and held the Volunteers to just 256 total yards, including a meager 104 passing yards. Tuimoloau had two sacks, setting the tone for a defensive front that consistently disrupted Nico Iamaleava’s rhythm.
“I got after them at halftime and challenged them,” said Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. “Our defense responded and played lights out in the second half.”
Ohio State’s secondary, statistically the best in the nation, limited Iamaleava to a season-low 104 passing yards on 14-of-31 completions. Tennessee’s rushing attack, led by Peyton Lewis, was similarly contained, with Lewis managing just 77 yards on 10 carries.
Second-Half Dominance
Ohio State pulled away in the second half, scoring three unanswered touchdowns. Howard connected with Smith for a 22-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-10. Judkins added his second score of the night, a one-yard run before Henderson sealed the victory with a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes' defense shined in high-pressure moments, including a critical goal-line stand that ended Tennessee’s hopes of a comeback. Tennessee managed a late touchdown from Iamaleava but never seriously threatened Ohio State’s lead.
Initial Thoughts vs. Reality
Before the game, Tennessee’s balanced offense, led by Iamaleava, was expected to test Ohio State’s defense. However, the Volunteers struggled to sustain drives, averaging just 3.7 yards per play and converting only six of 16 third downs. Ohio State’s defense, which leads the nation in points allowed per game, lived up to its billing by forcing quick stops and limiting explosive plays.
Conversely, Ohio State’s offense was pegged to rely on the run game, but it was the passing attack that shined early. Howard’s efficient performance (83% completion rate, 12.7 yards per completion) opened up opportunities for Henderson and Judkins, who combined for 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Key Stats
Ohio State:
Will Howard: 24/29, 311 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Jeremiah Smith: 6 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
TreVeyon Henderson: 10 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD
Quinshon Judkins: 10 carries, 34 yards, 2 TD
Defense: 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 256 total yards allowed
Tennessee:
Nico Iamaleava: 14/31, 104 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 20 carries, 47 yards, 2 TD
Peyton Lewis: 10 carries, 77 yards
Total Offense: 256 yards
What’s Next?
Ohio State now turns its attention to No. 1 Oregon, the undefeated Big Ten champions. The rematch will take place in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, with the Buckeyes seeking redemption after a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to the Ducks earlier this season.
For Tennessee, the season ends with a 10-3 record and valuable lessons learned from their first CFP appearance. Head coach Josh Heupel will look to build on this experience as the Volunteers aim to remain contenders in the years to come.
“This is a step forward for our program,” Heupel said. “We didn’t get the result we wanted tonight, but we’ll be back.”