The Oregon Ducks have lost their first game of the 2024-25 season, falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 41-21, in the Rose Bowl — the quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff. The loss is a disappointing end to what has been a fantastic season for the Ducks, and the Buckeyes’ dominance makes the loss even more heartbreaking.
There were few redeeming qualities to the way Oregon played on Wednesday. In the first half, more plays seemed to go backward than forwards, and there were holes all over on defense. One of the few Ducks to perform well in the Rose Bowl was wide receiver Traeshon Holden. He is the Ducks Wire Player of the Game.
Holden finished the game with 7 catches for 116 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and two of Oregon’s three touchdowns. Near the end of the first half — with zero points on the board for Oregon — Holden caught a pass from Gabriel for 44 yards on 3rd and 16, setting the Ducks up inside Ohio State territory for the first time. A few plays later, Holden caught the ball in the back of the endzone for Oregon’s first points of the game.
In the second half, Holden saw similar success. Two of his second-half catches were third-down conversions. One of those was a 27-yard reception on a seam route that Holden took into the end zone.
It will be a long offseason for Oregon, and the sting of this loss won’t wear off for a long time. Much of the Ducks’ starting lineup just played their final game in college — Holden included.
Holden’s season was strong, and his play in the Rose Bowl may have improved his draft stock. His sure hands, ability to read zone coverage, and dynamic movement after the catch should make him a desirable prospect. Although the result of the Rose Bowl is the opposite of what Oregon was looking for, Traeshon Holden ends his 27-game Oregon career on a personal high note.
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