The clash between Tennessee Volunteers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 21, 2024, in the first round of the College Football Playoff was a big moment — not only because of the stakes, but also because it was only the second time these two historic programs ever played each other. (Yahoo Sports)
In this blog, we will walk through how the game played out, key players’ performances, and what the stats tell us about each side.
Historical Context: A Rare Matchup
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The only previous meeting between Tennessee and Ohio State happened on January 1, 1996, in the Florida Citrus Bowl, where Tennessee won 20–14. (Wikipedia)
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With the 2024 playoff game, the all‑time series became tied — 1 win apiece. (Ohio State)
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For Tennessee, this game marked their first time playing Ohio State in Ohio. (University of Tennessee Athletics)
This buildup added drama: decades since the last meeting, and now a high‑stakes playoff game in Columbus.
Final Score and Game Flow
The final line read Ohio State 42 – Tennessee 17. (ESPN.com)
The quarter‑by‑quarter breakdown:
| Quarter | First | Second | Third | Fourth | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Ohio State | 21 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
From the start, Ohio State imposed itself, scoring 21 points in the first quarter alone. Tennessee managed to respond in the second quarter, making it more competitive at halftime, but Ohio State pulled away again in the second half. (ESPN)
Team Stats: Overall Comparison
The stats show a fairly one‑sided battle in favor of Ohio State: (USA TODAY)
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Total Yards: Tennessee 256 vs Ohio State 473 (USA TODAY)
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Rushing Yards: Tennessee 152, Ohio State 156 (CBS Sports)
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Passing Yards: Tennessee 104, Ohio State 317 (ESPN.com)
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First Downs: Tennessee 17, Ohio State 24 (theScore.com)
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Third‑down Efficiency: Tennessee converted 6 of 16 third-downs, Ohio State 4 of 9. (theScore.com)
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Time of Possession: Tennessee ~27:10, Ohio State ~32:50. (CBS Sports)
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Sacks (defense): Ohio State registered 4 sacks, while Tennessee had none. (USA TODAY)
From these numbers, it's clear that while Tennessee tried to stay in the game — especially on the ground — Ohio State dominated through the air, marched effectively down the field, and capitalized on opportunities.
Key Players & Their Performances
For Ohio State
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Will Howard (QB): 24 completions on 29 attempts, 311 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. (ESPN.com) His completion rate was superb (~83%), showing excellent command and accuracy. (CBS Sports)
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Jeremiah Smith (WR): Caught 6 passes for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. (Fox Sports) His receiving made a major difference in opening up the passing game for Ohio State.
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TreVeyon Henderson (RB): Contributed on the ground, delivering a balance of rushing and explosiveness, helping keep Tennessee’s defense guessing. (CBS Sports)
Beyond these, Ohio State’s offensive line, receivers beyond just Smith, and balanced gameplan — mixing run and pass — made them difficult to defend. Their defense also held strong, recorded sacks, and prevented Tennessee from generating sustained drives. (USA TODAY)
For Tennessee
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Nico Iamaleava (QB): Completed 14 of 31 passes for 104 yards. No touchdowns or interceptions. (ESPN.com)
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Running backs: Tennessee had some decent rushing — their total 152 yards shows effort on the ground. (USA TODAY)
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Receivers & Miscellaneous Offense: Tennessee managed some catches, but couldn’t convert big play after big play. Their receiving yards and average per catch were modest compared to Ohio State. (Sportskeeda)
In short: while Tennessee tried to fight, their passing game didn’t threaten enough, and Ohio State’s defensive pressure (sacks, limiting big plays) made life hard for them.
What This Game Means — A Bigger Picture
Rivalry Renewed (After Long Gap)
This matchup revived a rivalry that had stayed mostly dormant for decades. The first game in 1996 was a bowl game; the 2024 game happened under playoff pressure with huge stakes. That makes this encounter historically significant for both programs.
Showdown of Styles
Ohio State leaned on a powerful passing attack and efficient mix of run/pass — great balance. Their execution and depth showed. Tennessee, while somewhat balanced in rushing, lacked consistency and big‑play potential, especially in passing.
What Went Right for Ohio State
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Efficient quarterback play (high completion rate for Howard)
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Strong receiving — especially Smith stepping up
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Balanced offense that kept Tennessee on their heels
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Defensive pressure and ability to control Tennessee’s offense
What Went Wrong (or Limit Tennessee)
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Passing game didn’t click — low yards, no TD
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Offense was predictable at times when forced to run
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They couldn’t sustain long drives or convert enough third downs
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Defensive line got overwhelmed by Ohio State’s offense
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for Both Teams
For Ohio State, this win advanced them further in the playoffs, reinforcing their reputation for depth, balanced offense, and overall dominance — good signs for future games. (Ohio State)
For Tennessee, the result is a wake-up call: they must shore up their passing game, find more weapons on offense, and improve under pressure. If they want to compete with top-tier Big Ten teams (or other top opponents), upgrading quarterback play and offensive consistency should be priorities.
Final Thoughts
The December 2024 clash between Tennessee Volunteers and Ohio State Buckeyes was more than just a football game — it marked a renewed chapter in their rivalry. Ohio State’s 42–17 victory underscored their strength: a high-powered offense, efficient quarterbacking, and solid defense. For Tennessee, the game exposed weaknesses, especially in passing and consistency.
Despite the loss, the match added to the history books — tying the all‑time series 1–1 — and offered several lessons for both programs. As college football evolves, such rare but meaningful cross‑conference games—as between SEC and Big Ten — give fans memorable moments and players a chance to rise or prove themselves under pressure.