Ohio State claimed victory over Oregon with a score of 41-21 at the Rose Bowl, marking the end of the Ducks' undefeated season and knocking them out of contention for their first-ever national championship. This defeat not only halted Oregon's aspirations but also brought to close the collegiate careers of several senior players on the roster.
After the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning expressed disappointment but acknowledged the team's efforts throughout the season. "There's disappointment," he said, highlighting the emotional weight of the loss. "But I talked to the team about life in the locker room and how grateful I am for the opportunity to coach this team. I love these guys. And they put it all out on the field for us—blood, sweat, and tears," Lanning shared, emphasizing the camaraderie built during the season.
While Oregon's offense struggled, the true difference-maker for Ohio State was fresh talent showcasing incredible skill. True freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith dominated the Ducks' secondary, finishing the game with seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him the highest-graded playoff performance by a wide receiver in the Pro Football Focus College Era, with a grade of 94.6. "He’s strong; he attacks the ball in the air as well as any receiver I’ve seen," remarked Lanning about Smith, attesting to his talents as he moves forward.
Leading up to the game, Smith, confident from his training and preparation, sent out a clear message to the Ducks, warning them not to play man coverage. "When we see man [coverage] against any of our receivers, we're going to take a shot down the field. So I'm just letting everybody know right now, if you play man Wednesday, we're taking a shot," Smith declared. Following his first touchdown, he officially broke the Big Ten record for the most receiving touchdowns by a true freshman.
Ohio State’s offense was not just reliant on Smith. The Buckeyes executed powerful offensive and defensive strategies, forcing Oregon's quarterback Dillon Gabriel to struggle under pressure. Ohio State’s defensive line was relentless, ending the game with eight sacks, primarily delivered by defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau. Sawyer praised the adjustments made by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who shifted the strategy to adopt more aggressive tactics, calling it pivotal for their performance. "I just think... we’re playing with their hair on fire," said Sawyer, highlighting how preparation and teamwork contributed to their effectiveness.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day emphasized the collective effort of his defense, noting, "We talk about the coverage and rush working together. Although we had eight sacks, there were several of those probably credited to the secondary.” Understanding the importance of teamwork is key as they move forward to the College Football Playoff semifinal, where they face Texas.
Day recognized the challenge posed by Texas, calling their offensive line and skill players highly talented. "I just look at their offensive line, the coaches, their running backs, and I know they’re very, very talented. They’re very good, so we’re going to have to be at our best,” he said, emphasizing the need for Ohio State's defense to maintain high standards.
Looking forward, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the uphill battle they face against Ohio State, characterizing them as underdogs. "I need Longhorn Nation to show out in Arlington. We're going to need everything we’ve got to try to win this game. Clearly, we're massive underdogs. Nobody's going to give us a shot. So we're going to need all we can to try to win this game," Sarkisian remarked, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting chapter for both teams.
This Rose Bowl victory not only brought closure to Oregon's strong 2024 season but also propelled Ohio State toward the next stage of playoff competition, where they must prepare intensively to tackle the formidable defense of Texas.