Buckeyes ‘not satisfied’ after first-round win, quickly shifting focus to Oregon rematch

COLUMBUS — With respect to some of the Big Ten teams on the regular season schedule, Ohio State didn’t beat Northwestern or Maryland on Saturday night in the Horseshoe.

No, the Buckeyes beat a 10-2 SEC program that brought at least 20,000 fans into the Horseshoe with them to the tune of 42-17, a College Football Playoff first-round beatdown of the Tennessee Volunteers.

With the win over the Vols, Ohio State now moves on to face Oregon in a rematch of that instant classic game played in Autzen Stadium out in Eugene in mid-October. Of course, the Buckeyes lost that game by one point in the final seconds. It was painful.

So as good and cathartic as it felt to turn Big Orange into pulp on Saturday night in a frigid Ohio Stadium, Ryan Day and his program very quickly turned their focus to Pasadena, where the Rose Bowl will host Bucks vs. Ducks, Round II.

Tennessee was just an appetizer that was worth celebrating for 24 hours over before the Buckeyes give Oregon the proper attention it deserves.

“I’m proud of our seniors for a lot of reasons,” Day said, speaking about the win over Tennessee. “One, for the fact that they were able to finish their last game at Ohio Stadium with a win like that. I’m also proud of the way that they responded. And I told them in the locker room that you know in life, you’re going to be the defined by the way you handle adversity in life, as a person, as a man, as a dad. So to see the way that they respond in this game, you can tell from the jump that they had a look in their eye that they were going to go win this game. I thought they played that way.

“A lot of football ahead of us. Great win. But we’re going to enjoy this for 24 hours, then it’s on to Oregon.”

Ohio State absolutely needed a win like this over an opponent like this. Because the last time on the field, the Buckeyes were embarrassed in a 13-10 puzzling loss to Michigan in the rivalry game. They used it as motivation heading into the College Football Playoff, though, after being left at home from the Big Ten title game and a rematch with the Ducks in Indianapolis for a trip to the Rose Bowl.

The Buckeyes are heading to Pasadena anyway, albeit with a home game for a pit stop on the way there.

This was needed for everyone, but especially the Buckeyes offense that played horribly in the Michigan loss. Now with a 473-yard, 42-point performance against the SEC’s best defense under their belts, Ohio State has real, tangible momentum heading West for that rematch with the Ducks.

“It wasn’t like it was just throwing it all over the place, you know. We did have balance,” Day said of his offense. “We had some good runs, and those hit for us, which makes a big difference when you have that run-pass balance that we’re looking for. So this has got to continue.

“This has got to build momentum going into this next game.”

The rematch against Oregon is going to mean everything to the Buckeyes, but maybe most for two specific members of the program: quarterback Will Howard and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

For Howard, he has a shot at redemption after his incredible 326-passing-yard performance turned into his worst moment when he slid too late in Oregon territory, causing time to run out — which secured the one-point win for the Ducks.

“I’m excited, man,” Howard said. “It’s going to be a heck of a heck of an opportunity for all of us. I think we’ve all been looking forward to this one for another crack at these guys. The way that last one ended doesn’t sit right with me still. It still bugs me. I’m just thankful for the opportunity that we get another crack at them. And I said this before the game: In life, you don’t get a lot of second chances, man. So the fact that we’re getting a second chance here is a blessing from the Lord. We’re going to go out there and have some fun and let it rip, man, because this is all we got. It’s win or go home.”

Knowles’ defense, which is considered the best in the country after it completely shut down Tennessee, was torched by the downfield passing game from Oregon out in Eugene. The Ducks were able to run the ball well and then throw it over the top. Ohio State got no pressure on Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and he was able to make plays.

It’s certainly not a do-over for Knowles and the defense. But it certainly would feel great for he and the defense to perform better this time around — and advance by beating Oregon.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity because it was not a great game for us,” Knowles said.

“And quite frankly, I think the guys got a little pissed off. And you know, it led to a run for us, in terms of defense and where we’re at statistically, which is gotta be No. 1 or close to No. 1 in categories, right? They use that game as as a motivation. So I’m sure they’re looking forward to another opportunity.”

Ohio State had a great time beating up on Tennessee and sending its crowd back to Rocky Top. The Buckeyes are giving themselves the end of the weekend to celebrate it. After all, it is a College Football Playoff win, the program’s fourth all-time CFP win.

But they’re also going to be quick to move on, because a loss in the quarterfinal will still mean the Buckeyes didn’t accomplish their goal of winning a national title.

It’s on to the Rose Bowl. More importantly, it’s on to Oregon.

“I’m glad that they were able to [win] for that last game, for those seniors to finish with a win, but they are not satisfied at all,” Day said. “They quickly are going to get their focus on Oregon, which is going to be a rematch for us, which is exciting, and going into a great opportunity to go play in the Rose Bowl again. And so yeah, I think it says a lot about who our guys are that we’re able to respond like that in a big way.”

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