By Okon Ekpenyong

Ohio State’s freshman wide receiver sensation, Jeremiah Smith, stole the show, leading his team to a 41-21 victory over previously undefeated Oregon in the 2025 Rose Bowl Game. Smith’s impressive display earned him the Offensive MVP award, and he humbly attributed his team’s success to their insatiable hunger for wins: “We are hungry, and each game, we try to win it all.”

Ohio State came out swinging offensively and defensively from the start, with the team racing to a 34-0 lead by halftime. But in the second half, Oregon attempted to mount a comeback but ultimately fell short. This victory sets the stage for Ohio State to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10th. Texas secured their spot by edging out Arizona State” 39-31 in a nail-biting Peach Bowl contest.

The teamstrong performance comes after multiple doubters said they were not good enough to make the playoff after a disappointing loss to Michigan in the last game of the season. It ultimately sparked concerns about the team’s energy and calls for head coach Ryan Day’s dismissal. However, the new athletic director’s vote of confidence in Day has paid off. The Buckeyes’ 8 sacks against Oregon set a Rose Bowl record since USC’s performance against Michigan in 2004.

Freshman wide receiver Smith had an impressive game, with 187 yards, the second-most by a freshman in Rose Bowl history. The Buckeyes’ quarterback Howard also had an outstanding game, with 17-26 completions, 319 yards, and 200 yards in just the first half.

Jeremiah Smith’s freshman season with Ohio State has been phenomenal, breaking the Big Ten’s freshman touchdown receiving record with 13 touchdowns. He accumulated 63 receptions for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning awards such as Big Ten Receiver of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and second-team All-America honors. As the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, Smith has lived up to the hype, showcasing exceptional size, speed, and hands, with a strong rapport with quarterback Will Howard, and experts are already saying he is a future NFL star.

Ohio State’s back-to-back convincing win proves they belong in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff conversation.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url