Official game statistics from the NCAA or Ohio State University Athletics

Jeremiah Smith's Two TDs Put Ohio State Ahead 28-10 Over Tennessee in CFP First Round

Dec 22, 2024, 01:56 AM

Ohio State dominated Tennessee in their College Football Playoff first-round game, leading 21-0 by the end of the first quarter with a remarkable 205 yards of offense to Tennessee's -3 yards. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had an outstanding performance, scoring two touchdowns and accumulating six receptions for 103 yards in his first-ever CFP game. Quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith for touchdowns of 37 and 22 yards, showcasing a strong passing game where Howard went 10-of-12 for 160 yards in the first quarter. Running back TreVeyon Henderson added a 29-yard touchdown run to extend Ohio State's lead. A costly facemask penalty against Tennessee helped set up Ohio State's first touchdown. Tennessee struggled early but managed to reduce the deficit to 21-10 by halftime, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava scoring on a 2-yard run after a 16-play, 79-yard drive. However, Ohio State continued to dominate in the second half, with Smith's second touchdown putting the Buckeyes ahead 28-10.