• Clayton Callender, the Ohio State marching band's current drum major and third-year accounting major, arches back before the first round College Football Playoff game against Tennessee Saturday. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor
    Clayton Callender, the Ohio State marching band's current drum major and third-year accounting major, arches back before the first round College Football Playoff game against Tennessee Saturday. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor
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More than 102,800 fans flooded Ohio Stadium in scarlet and orange to watch the first-ever December football game at the ‘Shoe Saturday night.

No. 8-seeded Ohio State hosted No. 9-seeded Tennessee in the final first round College Football Playoff game, vying for a chance to play Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Ultimately, Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard completed 24 of 29 pass attempts — recording 311 passing yards and two touchdowns — to help Ohio State steamroll the Volunteers 42-17.



Ohio State’s defense also delivered a strong performance, with linebacker Cody Simon leading the way and achieving 12 tackles.

A Rose Bowl rematch is set for Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California, at which the Buckeyes will face Oregon and seek revenge for their first loss of the 2024-25 season.