"CFP Recap: Ohio State's Fast Start Leads to Victory over Tennessee"
Will Howard tossed for 311 yards and two scores, both to Jeremiah Smith, while TreVeyon Henderson ran for two touchdowns as the No. 8 seeded Ohio State dominated the No. 9 seeded Tennessee 42-17 in the opening round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes (11-2) will face off against No. 1 seeded Oregon (13-0) in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1.
Howard completed 24 of 29 passes with one interception, while Smith's six receptions totaled 103 yards. Henderson rushed for 80 yards on 10 carries for the Buckeyes, who held a 21-0 lead after the first quarter.
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Nico Iamaleava went 14 of 31 for 104 yards and also rushed 20 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns for the Volunteers (10-3).
No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24
Jaydon Blue ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard score in the fourth quarter, as the Longhorns defeated the Tigers in Austin, Texas, during a CFP first-round playoff game.
Texas (12-2) will move on to face fourth-seeded Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, on Jan. 1 in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Quinn Ewers threw for 202 yards and one touchdown, while Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns, who outgained Clemson 292-76 on the ground. Cade Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns to lead Clemson (10-4). Tigers receiver T.J. Moore had a career-high 116 receiving yards and one touchdown on nine receptions.
No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas both returned interceptions for touchdowns as the Nittany Lions advanced in the College Football Playoff with a comfortable win over the Mustangs in University Park, Pa.
DeLuca also had another interception as the Nittany Lions (12-2) built a 28-point lead by halftime in Happy Valley. Penn State will face No. 3 seeded Boise State (12-1) in a quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 31.
Nicholas Singleton ran for 90 yards and one touchdown, while Kaytron Allen had 70 yards and two touchdowns for the Nittany Lions, who thrived in 25-degree weather that felt like 12 degrees at kickoff. Drew Allar completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards.
