In the first-ever College Football Playoff game at the Shoe, Ohio State defended its home field against its invaders from Knoxville, blowing out the Volunteers 42-17 to advance to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, where the Buckeyes will face Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes raced out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and controlled the game from there to earn their first College Football Playoff win since they defeated Clemson in the 2020 CFP semifinals.
Ohio State put seven points on the board just two minutes and 14 seconds into the game when Will Howard connected with Jeremiah Smith for a 37-yard touchdown pass on the Buckeyes’ opening drive.