Pasadena, CA – Ohio State dominated from start to finish in a resounding 45-17 victory over Oregon in the 2025 Rose Bowl, securing their spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. The Buckeyes, led by an explosive offensive performance, overwhelmed the Ducks and put on an impressive display of both offense and defense to punch their ticket to the CFP.
First Half: Ohio State sets the tone
Ohio State wasted no time asserting themselves as the dominant force on the field. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was surgical, completing 15 of 19 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. His first touchdown came on a 33-yard strike to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was a consistent threat throughout the game. The Buckeyes’ rushing attack, led by TreVeyon Henderson, also shredded Oregon’s defense, with Henderson finding the end zone on a 21-yard run midway through the second quarter.
On the other side of the ball, Ohio State’s defense stifled Oregon’s offense. Quarterback Bo Nix and running back Bucky Irving, who had been pivotal for the Ducks all season, found themselves under pressure from the Buckeyes’ defensive line. Nix was sacked three times in the first half, and Ohio State’s secondary intercepted two of his passes, including a key pick by cornerback Denzel Burke, which led to another Ohio State touchdown.
By halftime, Ohio State had built a commanding 31-7 lead, leaving Oregon with little momentum to build on.
Second Half: No letup from the Buckeyes
The second half saw more of the same from Ohio State, with Stroud continuing to exploit Oregon’s secondary. He connected with tight end Cade Stover for a 10-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 38-7. Oregon’s defense seemed to have no answer for the Buckeyes’ quick tempo and precision passing.
Oregon did manage to score a late touchdown, with Nix finding Troy Franklin for a 24-yard touchdown pass, but the game was already well out of reach by that point.
Live Reactions:
Fans of both teams flooded social media with reactions. Ohio State supporters were quick to praise Stroud’s performance, calling it one of his best outings of the season. “Stroud is looking like a future NFL star,” one tweet read. “This offense is clicking on all cylinders.”
For Oregon, frustration was palpable. Ducks fans lamented missed opportunities and defensive lapses, but many acknowledged Ohio State’s superior play. “We just got outclassed today,” one fan commented. “Ohio State is on another level.”
With the win, Ohio State advances to the CFP semifinals, where they’ll face the winner of the Sugar Bowl. As for Oregon, their season ends in disappointment, but the team showed promise and will look to build for next year.
