After the College Football Playoff began on Friday with No. 7 Notre Dame handling No. 10 Indiana, Saturday gives us an entire day of action with three games wrapping up the first round of the 12-team format.
Penn State took care of business in Happy Valley to start the day, using two early pick-sixes to pull away with a 38-10 win against an overmatched SMU. Later, in Austin, Texas had its way with Clemson in a 38-24 game that was not as close as the final score would indicate. Let’s hope the nightcap between Ohio State and Tennessee has a bit more suspense.
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The teams have traded punts and the Vols have it back at their own 12-yard line with 7 minutes left in the game.
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
The Vols are going to need to start adding up the points quick to get back into this one.
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
The Buckeyes are moving the ball and eating a lot of clock with the run game now.
The Vols looked like they were considering going for it on fourth and short at midfield, but they opt to kick it away instead.
It’s Ohio State ball with 6:04 left in the third quarter.
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
It’s a quick possession to open the third quarter for the Vols. They were trying to establish the run game on that drive and it didn’t work out too well.
Will Tennessee keep it rolling and deliver the biggest comeback in College Football Playoff history?
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding had a shot at extending the lead as time expired, but his 56-yard try wasn’t close.
The Vols have finally found the end zone with just 20 seconds left in the first half after a short run by Nico Iamaleava.
OSU 21, Tennessee 10
Tennessee is past midfield now with just under 2 minutes left in the opening half.
Tennessee is going to have a shot at eating into the Buckeyes’ lead before halftime after holding strong and forcing a punt.
Tennessee’s drive fizzled out after the penalty and the Vols had to settle for a short field goal by Max Gilbert.
OSU 21, Tennessee 3
The Buckeyes had an interception but a Tennessee defender was given a roughing-the-passer penalty after landing on Nico Iamaleava.
The Vols are inside the red zone after the controversial penalty.
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.
Will Howard was trying to find Jeremiah Smith for another touchdown but the freshman wasn’t able 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 of an interception stands. What a play by Brooks!
The Buckeyes were facing a fourth-and-3 at midfield when Jeremiah Smith caught a crossing route and made a nice move to extend the drive.
It’s been all Buckeyes early in this one.
Total yards so far…
Ohio State: 205
Tennessee: -3
Nico Iamaleava made consecutive first downs with his legs, but Ohio State’s defense firmed up when it needed to and the Vols punt it back to the Buckeyes.