No. 8 seed Ohio State (11-2, 7-2 Big Ten) defeated No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-3, 6-2 SEC), 42-17, Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes led, 21-10, at halftime.
Ohio State scored the first 21 points of the game and led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Vols scored 10 points in the second quarter. Max Gilbert converted a 36-yard field goal and Nico Iamaleava recorded a 2-yard touchdown run.
Iamaleava, Tennessee’s redshirt freshman quarterback, converted 14-of-31 passing attempts for 104 yards. He also totaled 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts.
Peyton Lewis was the Vols’ leading rusher as he recorded 77 rushing yards. Bru McCoy led Tennessee with four receptions for 40 yards.
Will Brooks had an interception for Tennessee which set up Gilbert’s field goal.
Tennessee managed 256 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith finished with six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He was targeted six times.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard completed 24-of-29 passing attempts for 311 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
PHOTOS: Ohio State defeats Tennessee at Ohio Stadium
