Pasadena, Calif. — Wow, was that game something else! Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff semifinals with a mission, and boy, did they deliver. Taking on the unbeaten Oregon Ducks at the historic Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes absolutely clobbered their opponents, leaving everyone in shock by the end of it all.
What was meant to be a thrilling quarterfinal matchup turned into a one-sided affair. The final score of 41-21 doesn’t even begin to explain the sheer dominance Ohio State displayed on the field. Fans barely had time to settle in before things got wild—by the time most viewers switched over from the Peach Bowl, it was already 7-0 Ohio State. Unbelievable, right? And just to pile on the Ducks, they found themselves in a hole that was *34-0* before really getting any offense rolling.
After the game, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning reflected on the tough loss. He repeatedly called Ohio State a “great team,” making it crystal clear that they were clearly outmatched on this day. “They were clicking on all cylinders,” Lanning said. It was a similar story for Oregon’s powerful offense, which simply couldn’t get going. You could sense their frustration on the sidelines!
Now, Oregon finishes the season with a solid record of 13-1—but that won’t erase the sting of falling short in yet another quest for a national title. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes head home feeling pumped and ready for their next opponent: Texas!
If you flash back just about a month ago, Ohio State was in a rather *different* and much less happy place. They suffered a heartbreaking loss to Michigan, which had everyone buzzing about the coaching status of Ryan Day. But since then, Day and his team put in serious work, putting the pesky loss in the rearview mirror as they focused on what was still ahead.
“We believe that when we’re executing at a high level, we can play with any other team in the country,” Day confidently stated. Talk about rallying the troops! This was clearly needed after a season that had its ups and downs, but that’s college football for you.
The energy on the field was off the charts! Ohio State shined from the get-go, launching right into action with a stunning 45-yard touchdown play by freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. And can we talk about how everything aligned perfectly? From the quarterback’s play fake to Smith’s flawless route running, the execution was top-notch.
By the end of the first half, Smith had racked up *161 yards* and scored two touchdowns! He ended up with seven catches for an impressive *187 yards*. Lanning wasn’t shy about giving the kid props, admitting, “He’s strong and he attacks the ball in the air as well as any receiver I’ve seen.” Sounds like someone has a bright future ahead!
The Ohio State defense was another standout feature of this game. They kept up the pressure on Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, sacking him a whopping eight times. You could just feel the frustration emanating from the Ducks sideline as they struggled to find a rhythm.
Oregon did manage to find some life at one point, driving down the field just before halftime. But alas, Ohio State quickly snuffed that flicker out with a relentless defensive stance, forcing a three-and-out just after half. Talk about putting the game away!
Ohio State now has their sights set on a national title, clearly showing that they’ve learned from past mistakes. Coach Day seems to have instilled a renewed focus on the little things that matter, which really showed during this game. After securing the win, it’s safe to say they’re gearing up for their semifinal against Texas with a lot of confidence.
As for Oregon, it’s back to the drawing board. This season may have been great, but it’s just not enough for a team chasing that elusive championship. Next season can’t come soon enough for them.
In the end, Ohio State proved on that sunny Pasadena day that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with, and fans can’t wait to see how they carry this momentum forward!
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