The Ohio State Buckeyes had a stellar start in the first quarter of their College Football Playoff first-round game against Tennessee, taking a commanding 21-0 lead. The Buckeyes showcased their offensive prowess with a dynamic performance that left Tennessee struggling to keep up.
Ohio State's freshman wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, emerged as a standout player early in the game, catching a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Howard. Smith's impressive performance, along with Emeka Egbuka's 64 receiving yards, helped propel the Buckeyes to their early lead.
While the passing game was firing on all cylinders, Ohio State also demonstrated their ability to run the ball effectively. Quinshon Judkins scored a one-yard rushing touchdown, and TreVeyon Henderson broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run. Howard's accurate passing, going 10-of-12 for 160 yards, kept the Tennessee defense on its toes.
Defensively, Ohio State was dominant, holding Tennessee to negative yardage in both rushing and passing. The Volunteers struggled to move the ball, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava facing pressure and being forced to punt on multiple possessions.
Overall, Ohio State's strong start in the first quarter set the tone for the game and showcased their depth and talent on both sides of the ball. As the game progresses, Tennessee will need to make adjustments to counter the Buckeyes' early momentum and find a way to get back into the contest.
