College Football Playoff first-round results: Ohio State, Texas, Penn State advance in routes

On By Littum

Following the College Football Playoff, Friday began with Notre Dame No. 7, who handled no. 10 Indiana, ended the first round with three lopsided results Saturday.

Penn State took care of business in Happy Valley to start the day, using two early pick-6s to pull away with a 38-10 victory against an overmatched SMU. Later, in Austin, had no. 5 Texas its time with no. 12 Clemson in a 38-24 game that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate. The nightcap was even more one-sided, where no. 8 in Ohio State withdrew from the no. 9 at Tennessee in a 42-17 win.

What was the cause of all the blowouts? Line play was a key that stood out in each matchup.

The quarter final matches are now set and on paper there should be some much more competitive matches.

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  • Final: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17

    The Buckeyes move on to take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.

  • Touchdown Tennessee

    Well, the Vols have found the end zone again on a short run by Nico Iamaleava.

    The bad news for them is that there are only 2 minutes left in the game.

    OSU 42, Tennessee 17

  • The teams have traded punts and the Vols have it back at their own 12-yard line with 7 minutes left in the game.

  • Touchdown Ohio State!

    Now it’s TreVeyon Henderson with his second TD of the game. The veteran RB breaks through the line for a 24-yard touchdown run to extend the Buckeyes’ lead.

    OSU 42, Tennessee 10

  • End of 3rd quarter: OSU 35, Tennessee 10

    The Vols will need to start putting the points together quickly to get back into this one.

  • Touchdown Ohio State!

    The Buckeyes are pouring it on now. Quinshon Judkins just capped off a 9-play, 81-yard drive with a short touchdown run.

    OSU 35, Tennessee 10

  • OSU at midfield

    The Buckeyes are moving the ball and eating up a lot of clock with the run game now.

  • Tennessee knocks it off

    The Vols looked like they were considering going for it on fourth and short at midfield, but opted to kick it away instead.

    It’s Ohio State ball with 6:04 left in the third quarter.

  • Touchdown Ohio State!

    It’s Jeremiah Smith AGAIN! The freshman phenom caught another beautiful pass from Will Howard on a fade into the corner, and the Buckeyes have re-established themselves in this one.

    OSU 28, Tennessee 10

  • Tennessee sends it to OSU

    It’s a quick possession to open the third quarter for the Vols. They tried to establish the run game on that drive and it didn’t work out too well.

  • Vols get the ball to start the 2nd half

    Will Tennessee keep it rolling and pull off the biggest comeback in College Football Playoff history?

  • Halftime: OSU 21, Tennessee 10

    Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding had a shot to extend the lead as time expired, but his 56-yard attempt was not close.

  • Touchdown Tennessee!

    The Vols finally found the end zone with just 20 seconds left in the first half on a short run by Nico Iamaleava.

    OSU 21, Tennessee 10

  • Vols on the march

    Tennessee is past midfield now with just under 2 minutes left in the opening half.

  • Vols force punt

    Tennessee will have a chance to take the Buckeyes’ lead before halftime after holding strong and forcing a punt.

  • The Vols are on the board

    Tennessee’s drive ended after the penalty, and the Vols had to settle for a short field goal by Max Gilbert.

    OSU 21, Tennessee 3

  • OSU interception negated by penalty

    The Buckeyes had an interception, but a Tennessee defender was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty after landing on Nico Iamaleava.

    The Vols are in the red zone after the controversial penalty.

  • Vols on the march

    Now it’s Tennessee’s turn to deliver some chunk plays. Nico Iamaleava just found 2 different receivers for long gains and the Vols are past midfield.

  • Wiretapping Tennessee!

    Will Howard tried to find Jeremiah Smith for another touchdown, but the freshman was unable to hold onto the ball, and Tennessee’s Will Brooks made a spectacular play to get a foot down in the end zone for the pick.

    After a short review, the call on the field for an interception stands. What a play by Brooks!