The College Football Playoff began Friday with No. 7 Notre Dame taking on No. 10 Indiana, but the first round ended on Saturday with three lopsided results.
Penn State used two early pick-sixes to earn a 38-10 victory over low-ranked SMU in Happy Valley. Then in Austin, No. 5 Texas beat No. 12 Clemson 38-24, but it wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. The nightcap was even more one-sided, with No. 8 Ohio State holding off No. 9 Tennessee for a 42-17 victory.
What was the reason for all the explosions? Line play was one of the keys that stood out in each matchup.
The quarterfinal pairings have already been decided, and on paper there should be some more competitive matches.
Live broadcast has ended107 updates
Final: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17
The Buckeyes advance and will face Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 10:39 PM CST
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 10:30 PM CST
touchdown tennessee
Well, the Vols found the end zone again on a short run by Nico Iamareaba.
The bad news for them is that there are only two minutes left in the game.
OSU 42, Tennessee 17
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 10:19pm (CST)
The teams traded punts, and the Vols returned to their own 12-yard line with seven minutes left in the game.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 10:06 PM CST
Ohio State touchdown!
This time, Treveyon Henderson scored his second TD of the game. The veteran running back broke through the line for a 24-yard touchdown run to extend the Buckeyes’ lead.
OSU 42, Tennessee 10
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:56 PM CST
End of 3rd quarter: OSU 35, Tennessee 10
The Vols will need to start adding up points soon to get back into this game.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:48 PM CST
Ohio State touchdown!
The Buckeyes are pouring it on right now. Quinshon Judkins just capped off a nine-play, 81-yard drive with a short touchdown run.
OSU 35, Tennessee 10
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:44 PM CST
OSU in the middle
The Buckeyes are running the ball and consuming a lot of time in the run game.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:34 PM CST
Tennessee punts away
The Vols appeared to be considering going short in midfield at No. 4, but opted to kick out instead.
With 6:04 left in the third quarter, it’s Ohio State’s ball.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:25 PM CST
Ohio State touchdown!
It’s Jeremiah Smith again! The freshman phenom caught another beautiful pass from Will Howard on a fade to the corner, and the Buckeyes reestablished themselves with this one.
Tennessee 10, OSU 28
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:19 PM CST
Tennessee punts OSU
The Vols had quick possession to start the third quarter. They were trying to establish a run game on that drive, but it didn’t go very well.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9:10pm CST
The Vols get the ball and start the second half.
Can Tennessee keep this up and pull off the biggest upset in College Football Playoff history?
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:51 PM CST
Halftime: OSU 21, Tennessee 10
Buckeyes kicker Jaden Fielding looked for a chance to extend the lead as time expired, but his 56-yard attempt fell short.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:44 PM CST
Touchdown Tennessee!
After a short run by Niko Iamareaba, the Vols finally found the end zone with 20 seconds left in the first half.
Tennessee 10, OSU 21
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:36 PM CST
Vols on the march
Tennessee passed midfield with just under two minutes left in the first half.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:30 PM CST
Vols force a punt
After holding strong and forcing a punt, Tennessee would look for a chance to take the Buckeyes’ lead before halftime.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:22 PM CST
Vols are on the board
After the penalty, Tennessee lost momentum and the Vols had to settle for a short field goal from Max Gilbert.
Tennessee 3, OSU 21
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:19 PM CST
OSU interception nullified with penalty
The Buckeyes made the interception, but were given a roughing the passer penalty after a Tennessee defender landed on Nico Iamareaba.
The Vols are in the red zone after a controversial penalty.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:16 PM CST
Vols on the march
Now it’s Tennessee’s turn to make a chunk play. Niko Iamareava just found two different receivers for a long gain and the Vols got past midfield.
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:12pm (CST)
Intercept Tennessee!
Will Howard was trying to find Jeremiah Smith for another touchdown, but the freshman couldn’t keep the ball and Tennessee’s Will Brooks made a great play by stepping into the end zone and making the pick. I showed it.
After a short review, the call for an interception on the field is made. Great play by Brooks!
