Ohio State names players of the game from CFP win over Tennessee
Ohio State thoroughly dominated Tennessee 42-17 on Saturday night in Columbus to advance to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
As the Buckeyes do after each game, they designated some top performers as offensive and defensive players of the game following the win over the Vols. In this case, they had no shortage of options on either side of the ball.
Offensively, it was Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith who earned recognition. Howard had one of the best games of his entire career as he completed 24-of-29 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Both of those touchdown passes went to Smith. He became the 4th Ohio State pass catcher all-time to catch multiple TD passes in a single College Football Playoff game. He joins Jeremy Ruckert, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr. with that distinction.
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞: @whoward_ 🎯 pic.twitter.com/E9uBV16BS3
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 22, 2024
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞: @Jermiah_Smith1 👑 pic.twitter.com/NbGOszIVz2
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 22, 2024
On the defensive side of the ball, it was Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau who got the nod.
The 2 defensive linemen helped control the line of scrimmage all night long for the Buckeyes. The Vols averaged just 3.66 yards on the night, which was easily their worst total of the season.
Tuimoloau was extremely disruptive individually. He was credited with 8 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Sawyer added 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2 pass breakups.
𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞: @jacksawyer33 💪 pic.twitter.com/wtVxW5aupN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 22, 2024
𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞: @JT_Tuimoloau 😈 pic.twitter.com/gBqxYvCOE6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 22, 2024
Ohio State will now turn its attention to Oregon for a rematch against the Ducks. That highly-anticipated quarterfinal matchup will be played at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Ready to bet on the Buckeyes in the next round? Saturday Tradition has a full guide to the top Ohio sports betting apps to help you get started!