Ohio State vs. Tennessee final score, results: Will Howard, Buckeyes dominate Vols to reach Rose Bowl

The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes shook off the disastrous late-season loss to Michigan in a big way on Saturday night. In the final game of the first-round of the College Football Playoff, Ohio State dominated the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers 42-17. Head coach Ryan Day also silenced the loud noise surrounding his program in a big way.

Next up for Ohio State will  be the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, which beat OSU 32-31 earlier in the season in Eugene.

This was Ohio State quarterback Will Howard’s best game of the season so far. He finished 24-of-29 with 311 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He rushed for another 37 yards. True freshman Jeremiah Smith was sensational, getting six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Tennessee undoubtedly fell flat on the biggest stage it’s been on under head coach Josh Heupel. But the Vols were severely limited on offense, as running back Dylan Sampson was hampered with a hamstring injury all night. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava finished with 47 yards rushing with two touchdowns, throwing for 104 yards.

OSU got out to a hot start in the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns on the Buckeyes’ first two possessions of the game. A Tennessee muffed punt set up the Buckeyes for a third score, giving Ohio State a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Tennessee tried to make things interesting in the second quarter, though. The Vols picked off Howard and forced a Buckeye three-and-out, scoring 10 points off both possessions to make it an 11-point game at halftime.

But in the second half, Ohio State didn’t let off the gas. The Buckeyes scored 21 unanswered points, and Tennessee’s second-half possessions resulted in four punts and a turnover on downs.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights on Saturday as Ohio State hosted Tennessee in the first round of the 2024 College Football playoff. Here’s what you may have missed.

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Ohio State vs. Tennessee updates, results, highlights from 2024 College Football Playoff

(All times ET)

Final: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17

11:37 p.m. — Ohio State is celebrating and poking some fun at Tennessee at the same time, by smoking cigars on the sideline.

ennessee traditionally smokes cigars after beating Alabama every year, so this is a jab from the Buckeyes towards that. Hey, smoke ’em if you got ’em right, Vols?

11:30 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Tennessee scores a touchdown off a Nico Iamaleava rushing score. It doesn’t really matter, though, as this one is over.

11:26 p.m. — Tennessee has the ball back, and the Vols are at Ohio State’s midfield. Let’s see if the Vols can get one on the board in the second half.

11:17 p.m. — This one is winding down, as Ohio State is even putting in backup quarterback Devin Brown late in this game. Interestingly, Brown entered the portal earlier this month, but has still been practicing with the Buckeyes as the No. 2 quarterback.

Ohio State 42, Tennessee 10

11:05 p.m. TOUCHDOWN —TreVeyon Henderson gets a 24-yard touchdown run to put this game on ice. There’s still 10:53 left in this one though, so there’s plenty of time for the Buckeyes to pile it on. They just might if they want to make a statement.