December 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates the victory as he carries a rose after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Will Howard threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jeremiah Smith, while Treveyon Henderson rushed for two scores as No. 8 seed Ohio State beat No. 9 Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes (11-2) will play No. 1 Oregon (13-0) in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1.
Howard finished 24 of 29 with an interception, while Smith had six catches for 103 yards. Henderson gained 80 yards on 10 carries for the Buckeyes, who led 21-0 after the first quarter.
Nico Iamaleava completed 14 of 31 passes for 104 yards and rushed 20 times for 47 yards and two TDs for the Volunteers (10-3).
No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24
Jaydon Blue rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard score in the fourth quarter, as the Longhorns downed the Tigers in Austin, Texas, during a first-round CFP playoff game.
Texas (12-2) advances to face fourth-ranked Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, on Jan. 1 in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Quinn Ewers passed for 202 yards and a score and Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards and two TDs for the Longhorns, who outgained Clemson 292-76 on the ground. Cade Klubnik passed for 336 yards and three TDs to lead Clemson (10-4). Tigers receiver TJ Moore had 116 yards and nine receptions.
No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas returned interceptions for touchdowns and the Nittany Lions advanced to the College Football Playoff with an easy win over the Mustangs in University Park, Pa.
DeLuca also had another interception as the Nittany Lions (12-2) built a 28-point halftime advantage in Happy Valley. Penn State will face No. 3 Boise State (12-1) in a quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 31.
Nicholas Singleton rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown and Keitron Allen had 70 yards and two scores for the Nittany Lions, who thrived in 25-degree weather that felt like 12 degrees at kickoff. Drew Allar completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards.
–Within field level
