Longtime PGA Tour writer Steve DiMeglio, whose byline graced the pages of USA TODAY and then Golfweek for decades, has died at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was 63.

DiMeglio was diagnosed in 2022 with rectal cancer that had spread to his liver. He was open throughout his treatment, which included dozens of doses of chemotherapy – he kept track of the doses by citing the numbers worn by sports legends.

He often shared his progress and sometimes shared his pain on social media in the hope he might inspire someone to sign up for a cancer screening – or simply to stay in touch with his many friends in the world of golf. The American Cancer Society recently profiled DiMeglio with a video shot at TPC Sawgrass.

A graduate of Mankato West High School in Minnesota and later Minnesota State University, DiMeglio began his professional career as a journalist in 1994 at the Palm Springs Desert Sun. He moved to media company Gannett in 1999, joined USA TODAY in 2000 and a couple of years later took over as the full-time golf beat writer. Gannett acquired Golfweek in 2016, and DiMeglio’s byline began to appear under the Golfweek banner in 2019. He continued to write for Golfweek until 2023. 

‘Steve was a longtime golf reporter at USA TODAY who covered baseball for years before he changed beats. He was incredibly plugged-in, had some of the best sources in the sport and would do anything you asked as an editor,’ said Roxanna Scott, executive editor of USA TODAY Sports. ‘He had a passion for golf that was reflected in his writing and all of the relationships he built through the years.

‘I loved seeing the video of Steve being greeted by Tiger in the Bahamas last month. I’m sure that meant a lot to Steve. We will all miss Steve’s thoughtfulness, his updates on his sports bets and his wonderful storytelling.’

DiMeglio covered all the greats of his era on both the men’s and women’s professional tours. Even during his cancer battle, he stayed in touch with many players, and their support buoyed his spirits. He traveled to a few tournaments over the past year, most recently the Hero World Challenge in December in the Bahamas.

He mentioned on social media that he was thrilled to chat with some of his favorite players, including Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Jason Day and caddie Joey LaCava.

“Everybody knows him out here. He’s Mr. Golf, USA Today forever,” four-time PGA Tour winner Billy Andrade said in March after learning he was playing in the PGA Tour Champions’ Cologuard Classic in DiMeglio’s honor. “One of the great guys of all time.”

BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic’s bid for a 100th ATP Tour title gained momentum on Thursday as the Serb thumped fellow veteran Gael Monfils 6-3 6-3 to reach the Brisbane International quarterfinals.

The 37-year-old, who is looking to join Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) as players who have won at least 100 titles, breezed through the first set on the back of a solitary break in the fourth game.

Djokovic never looked back from there as he powered through the second set to extend his win-loss record against the French player to 20-0, nearly two decades after their first encounter in the opening round of the 2005 U.S. Open.

‘We’ve been playing for many years,’ said Djokovic, who will be gunning for an 11th Australian Open title when the season’s opening Grand Slam begins later this month.

‘I’ve known Gael since I was 15. We played quite a bit at juniors and on Tour and have had a good score against him but we have had some incredible battles. He’s one of the best, if not the best, athlete in our sport over the years.’

Djokovic will step up his preparations for a shot at a 25th Grand Slam title at the Jan. 12-26 Australian Open when he takes on big-serving American Reilly Opelka in the next round.

Opelka got past Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(9) 7-6(4) while Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, another player who can blow away his opponents with booming serves, upset fourth seed Frances Tiafoe 6-4 7-6(4).

Czech 19-year-old Jakub Mensik earlier mowed down Serbian lucky loser Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-2.

In the women’s event, reigning U.S. Open and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka endured a stern test in the opening set against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva before winning 7-6(2) 6-4.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who overcame a shoulder injury that ended her 2024 season early, also dug deep to defeat Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan 6-4 1-6 6-4 and reach her first tour quarter-final since the Berlin Open in June.

It was the end of the road for third seed Daria Kasatkina, who fell to a 1-6 6-2 7-5 defeat against fellow Russian Polina Kudermetova, while their compatriot Mirra Andreeva eased past Linda Noskova 6-3 6-0.

Two times Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka also crashed out after the Belarusian was defeated 6-4 6-4 by Czech Marie Bouzkova.

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The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will be postponed until Thursday at 4 p.m. ET after an overnight attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter that killed 15 people and injured about 30.

The two teams were scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET Wednesday in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Superdome – less than a mile from the site where a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers along Bourbon Street.

Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said that after consulting with representatives from the two schools, the conferences and ESPN, ‘all parties agreed that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours.’

The FBI identified the suspected driver of the truck as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Bahar Jabbar, and is investigating the attack the agency called ‘an act of terrorism.’

“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know. It’s just not worth it,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said during a news conference with state, city and law enforcement officials addressing the decision to postpone the game.

Louisiana AG supports delaying Sugar Bowl game further

‘Not my decision, but I would like to see it delayed at least another day,’ Murrill told NBC. ‘If they asked my opinion, I would tell them that.’

NBC reported that Murrill does believe ‘the community is safe.’

Superdome goes silent on day it should have hosted Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Silence. 

That’s what strikes you while standing next to Caesars Superdome on a glorious Wednesday afternoon. Silence reaches up and shakes you, suffocates you, reminds you not so subtly that sometimes there are more important matters in this world than four quarters and 60 minutes and a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game. 

They were supposed to play one, a big one, New Year’s Day night at the Superdome between Notre Dame and Georgia.

Counterterrorism expert on New Orleans attack, Sugar Bowl

Former senior U.S. counterterrorism official Javed Ali said things can evolve as the FBI investigation unfolds, including scenarios that could potentially impact the Sugar Bowl.

Based on what the FBI and other authorities have made public to date, “This wasn’t just one person acting on their own, and however many other people are involved in this conspiracy, they’re on the loose right now,” said Ali, who is not involved in the investigation but has held senior U.S. intelligence positions across multiple agencies.

Many factors would have to go into whether the game should be held as scheduled, further postponed or even canceled, Ali said. “That’s going to have to be something to figure out from a risk management perspective,” he said.

– Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

What time is the Sugar Bowl?

The rescheduled Sugar Bowl will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday in New Orleans, officials announced.

Former Princeton WR Tiger Bech killed in New Orleans attack

Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was killed in the New Orleans truck attack early Wednesday morning, his brother, TCU standout Jack Bech, confirmed on social media.

Jack Bech led the Horned Frogs with 1,039 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season, emerging as one of the best receivers in the country in 2024. Tiger Bech, 28, was an All-Ivy League performer, spending three seasons at Princeton from 2016-18.

‘Love you always brother,’ Bech wrote on X. ‘You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.’

– Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Network

Saints coach Darren Rizzi discusses New Orleans attack

During a news conference Wednesday, Saints coach Darren Rizzi discussed the attack, saying the team prayed together and had a moment of silence for victims during a morning meeting. Rizzi added that it ‘hits home with me personally.

‘I have five children between the ages of 17 and 26. And I can tell you early this morning, the first thing I thought of was my own son was out last night for New Year’s Eve in this community. My daughter was home just last week and was down in the French Quarter … I know there’s a lot of information still coming out, but I want to reiterate how much support and how much thought is coming from the New Orleans Saints.’

The Saints will be on the road this weekend, playing the Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa.

Georgia’s official traveling party all safe, one student among victims

The University of Georgia athletic department has confirmed that in the wake of Wednesday’s early-morning attack, ‘All team personnel and members of the official team travel party have been accounted for.’

Notre Dame also said that all team personnel had been accounted for.

Georgia’s Redcoat Band also said all its students and staff are safe.

Georgia president Jere W. Morehead did say that one student was critically injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Security sweep of Superdome underway

The site of tonight’s Sugar Bowl game is undergoing a full security review following the fatal overnight attack on Bourbon Street.

Officials are conducting a full sweep of the Superdome to make sure there are no security breaches before, during or after the game.

Rose Bowl stands ‘in solidarity’ following Sugar Bowl tragedy

Tournament of Roses and Pasadena city officials have offered their condolences to the people of New Orleans as they look to reassure the public today’s Rose Bowl events will be safe.

“The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” the officials said in a statement.

“We stand in solidarity with the entire state during this difficult time.

‘The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners.  We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.”

Georgia, Notre Dame release statements in wake of attack

Both schools participating in the Sugar Bowl issued statements on social media Wednesday morning.

‘We are horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans,’ said a statement from the University of Georgia. ‘University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims.’

Meanwhile, Notre Dame said it was ‘working with law enforcement and others to determine the full scope and impact of the tragedy.’

The school also announced that a previously scheduled Mass at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel will be held at 11 a.m. and asked those fans not in the area to ‘join us in prayer from wherever you are.’

Georgia fans praying after tragedy

Yellow police tape was hanging and police cars were parked inside and outside that area, some with lights flashing and with officers standing nearby. An Orleans Parrish coroner van was also parked.

“Crazy,” said Iacovazzi, wearing a Georgia cap and hoodie.

Iacovazzi’s hotel was not evacuated, but others in the area were. Iacovazzi’s daughter, a University of Georgia senior, is with him on the trip. She woke him up to tell him about what happened.

“She woke up and heard all that noise, but she didn’t know what happened,” he said. “Her grandparents were calling her all night wondering if we were OK.”

Former Georgia tight end Leonard Pope was sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton New Orleans, across the street from the Marriott.

Pope woke up to the news after going to a concert by rapper Juvenile on New Year’s Eve and then bought some pralines and came back to his room.

“We’re praying for their families and hoping things can get together real soon,” said Pope, who played in the NFL for seven seasons including with the Cardinals and Chiefs. “We’re here supporting the Bulldogs and down here just visiting family as well.”

– Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald

On scene: South Bend reporter awakens to tragedy

In New Orleans to cover tonight’s Sugar Bowl, South Bend Tribune reporter Tom Noie was stunned to see flashing lights and emergency vehicles outside his hotel room window before sunrise.

‘On a day of football, of new beginnings, of hope, there is only tragedy,’ Noie writes. ‘Sad. Senseless. People lost their lives down there. Others who were down there last night woke up this morning in area hospitals, many possibly fighting to see the rest of 2025 and beyond.’

Now, Noie continues, the all-important playoff game seems much less important.

‘The sight of all those squad cars, all those blue lights flashing quietly in the pre-dawn hours, leaves you shaken. How might Notre Dame’s offensive line handle Georgia’s defense? Will quarterback Riley Leonard make as many plays with his right arm as with his feet? 

‘None of that matters.’

Superdome will be secure, Sen. Cassidy says in interview

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) appeared on CNN on Wednesday morning and was asked about tonight’s game.

‘Extremely confident,’ Cassidy told CNN when asked if the Sugar Bowl would be played later in the evening. ‘The standard operating procedure for a big game like the Sugar Bowl, for a Saints game, for the Super Bowl is to go through the building, make sure there’s nothing there that’s wrong, and then to lock it down. The Sugar Bowl, the Superdome has been locked down. There is going to be no problem there.’ 

In addition to the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans will also play host to Super Bowl 59 on Feb 9.

Former Homeland Security official discusses security plan for New Orleans

“The Sugar Bowl is huge. Lots of people will be watching,” Juliette Kayyem, a former top U.S. Department of Homeland Security official, told CNN.  “It should go on. The police department has lots of resources to draw on. It can protect the investigation and also draw on other local and state resources to protect people going to the bowl.” 

She added: “This is the way that big cities have to work. Unfortunately, we want to provide what might even be security theater at this stage, lots and lots of law enforcement presence to make the city and people attending understand that they are safe, to stop anyone who might want to copycat at this stage, and then you let the investigation and the mourning continue simultaneously. It’s just the nature of how these things happen is that you have both these horrible incidences, and then you have to prepare for the next big event. And this is when we’ve seen in prior instances as well.” 

Sugar Bowl official offers condolences for victims

Less than 12 hours before kickoff, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley released a statement Wednesday morning in which he expressed sympathy for victims and their families and added: “We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”

Notre Dame vs. Georgia preview

Coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl for the right to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Quarterback Riley Leonard has completed 217 of 325 pass attempts this season for 2,293 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leonard also rushed for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Irish. Running back Jeremiyah Love had 142 carries for 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

Georgia did not play last week after beating Texas to win the SEC Championship game on Dec. 7. For being one of the four highest-ranked conference champions, the Bulldogs earned a first-round bye.

Starting quarterback Carson Beck will not play for the Bulldogs after having surgery for an elbow injury. He declared for the NFL draft on Saturday.

Gunner Stockton is expected to start against Notre Dame. Stockton completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and an interception after replacing Beck in the SEC title game. Running back Trevor Etienne rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns to help lead Georgia’s offensive attack.

Here’s what you need to know for the Sugar Bowl:

When is Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia?

The Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs kicks off at 8:45 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

How to watch Notre Dame and Georgia in Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.

Watch Notre Dame take on Georgia with a Fubo subscription

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Aaron Rodgers is aware that his turbulent run with the New York Jets could be coming to a close.

But ahead of the Week 18 finale against the Miami Dolphins, the quarterback said Wednesday that no matter what his future holds, he will view his time with the organization fondly.

‘Gratitude, honestly,’ the four-time NFL MVP said when asked how he viewed this portion of his 20-year career. ‘It’s been the best two years of my life. And that’s a perspective adjustment that happened at some point during the rehab process last year. Just the excitement of falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys in here, getting to know the great men and women who work here, it’s been a lot of fun.

‘Obviously, on the field has been short of expectations, no doubt. But this game is more than just that.’

After his highly anticipated debut season with the Jets in 2023 was cut short by a torn Achilles suffered four snaps into the opener, Rodgers has experienced plenty of disappointment in his follow-up campaign. The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start, and despite the organization trading for Rodgers’ close friend Davante Adams, New York continued its slide and extended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons.

All things Jets: Latest New York Jets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

With the team cleaning house with the firing of general manager Joe Douglas in November, Rodgers has acknowledged that his future is very much in flux. Though he earlier stated he prefers to remain with the franchise, he has acknowledged the possibility that the team will want to move on from the 41-year-old, who does not have any guaranteed money on his contract for 2025. Multiple reports indicated that the Jets are likely to part ways with Rodgers at some point this offseason.

Rodgers also reiterated he was unsure whether he would return to play at all next season or choose to retire. After making a joke about how he wouldn’t go on another darkness retreat, Rodgers said he needed a respite from the physical toll that the last two seasons have taken on him.

‘I need a break, mentally,’ said Rodgers, who added he expected to have clarity on his future before free agency begins in March. ‘I don’t want to make a decision until I’ve been able to rest physically and mentally. … I just need a break mentally to refresh and put my feet in the sand and see where I’m at.’

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said the possibility of coaching Rodgers’ final NFL game provided some solid motivation for Sunday.

‘To even be a small part of his story, it’s an honor,’ Ulbrich said. ‘If it happens to be his last game, let’s take him out on the right note.’

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An deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans early on New Year’s Day had an impact on the College Football Playoff schedule. The Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was to be played Wednesday as the fourth and final quarterfinal. The game has been postponed to Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the bowl schedule continues on. There was already one game on the Thursday slate, but it’s a well-established name on the New Year’s calendar. Furthermore, the winner will pick up its 10th victory of the campaign, still a notable achievement in the sport even if it doesn’t occur in a playoff setting.

Here’s what you need to know about the contest and its participants.

Sugar Bowl – No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Time/TV/location: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN, New Orleans.

Why watch: The round of eight concludes with this heavyweight showdown of storied programs. In a first round of dominant performances, the Fighting Irish might have turned in the most impressive of the lot shutting down the high-powered Indiana passing game. The talented back seven led by DB Xavier Watts and LB Jack Kiser now turns its attention to Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton, who will make his starting debut with the highest of stakes. He will bring an element of mobility to the offense that starter Carson Beck did not, but he might still need to lean on RBs Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier to limit his risk. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is an even more dangerous dual threat, and RB Jeremiyah Love can break off big runs as well. The Georgia front seven has a lot of versatility, but LB Jalon Walker is often a major component of the game plan.

Why it could disappoint: It might turn into a punting duel if the defenses take charge. It might also be challenging for either squad to overcome a multi-score deficit if there are early miscues.

WHO WINS?: Expert picks for the Sugar Bowl between Georgia-Notre Dame

Gator Bowl – Duke vs. No. 15 Mississippi

Time/TV/location: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Jacksonville, Fla.

Why watch: One of the SEC’s numerous ranked squads takes on a challenger from the ACC, which so far has had a miserable postseason league-wide. It’s an attractive pairing from a record standpoint, but the Rebels will have a distinct personnel advantage. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart will be off to the NFL but will suit up one last time for the Rebels, and he should have WRs Cayden Lee and Jordan Watkins available. Blue Devils’ QB Malik Murphy and RB Star Thomas are both transferring out, which will leave the Duke offense in the hands of little-used backup QB Henry Belin IV.

Why it could disappoint: Ole Miss was going to be favored regardless, and Duke’s personnel departures make this an even bigger mismatch. The Rebels haven’t always been the most focused bunch this season, and the Blue Devils must hope that will be the case once again.

The United States has never won back-to-back titles at the world junior hockey championship or returned to the final the year after winning.

The defending champion Americans (3-0-1-0) will try to take the first step toward changing that Thursday in Ottawa when they face Switzerland in the quarterfinal matchup. By beating Canada on New Year’s Eve, the Americans won Group A and will face a Swiss team that went 1-3 in the preliminary round and was outscored 15-10.

The game is win or go home. The four quarterfinal winners will be reseeded for Saturday’s semifinals. The medal games are Sunday.

Here’s what to know about the United States-Switzerland game and the quarterfinal schedule for the world junior hockey championship:

What time is USA vs. Switzerland world juniors quarterfinal?

The game will be played at 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

How to watch USA vs. Switzerland world juniors quarterfinal?

The game will air on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.

USA vs. Switzerland players to watch

United States: The USA’s top line features Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals draft pick), Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and James Hagens, the front-runner for the top pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson (Capitals) is the USA’s top scorer with eight points. He’s the brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. University of Minnesota winger Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres) has a team-best three goals. Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) had 38 saves in the win against Canada.

Switzerland: Forward Leo Braillard has three goals. Goalie Christian Kirsch is a San Jose Sharks 2024 draft pick. Defenseman Leon Muggli (three assists) was drafted in the second round by the Capitals.

USA vs. Switzerland team stats

Goals scored: United States 22, Switzerland 10

Goals against: United States 10, Switzerland 15

Power play: United States 27.8%, Switzerland 31.6%

Penalty kill: United States 81.3%, Switzerland 68.7%

Today’s world junior hockey schedule

All times p.m. ET

Germany vs. Kazakhstan (relegation game), 11 a.m.
No. 1 Sweden vs. No. 4 Latvia quarterfinal, noon, NHLN, TSN
No. 1 United States vs. No. 4 Switzerland quarterfinal, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
No. 2 Finland vs. No. 3 Slovakia quarterfinal, 5, NHLN, TSN
No. 2 Czechia vs. No. 3 Canada quarterfinal, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

World juniors hockey scores

Dec. 26

Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
United States 10, Germany 4
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0

Dec. 27

Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)

Dec. 28

Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
United States 5, Latvia 1

Dec. 29

Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
Canada 3, Germany 0

Dec. 30

Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)

Dec. 31

Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1 
Finland 3, Latvia 0
Sweden 4, Czechia 2
United States 4, Canada 1

World juniors hockey playoff round

All times Eastern

Jan. 2 (quarterfinals)

Sweden vs. Latvia, noon, NHLN, TSN
United States vs. Switzerland, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
Finland vs. Slovakia, 5, NHLN, TSN
Czechia vs. Canada, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

Jan. 4

Semifinal 1 3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN
Semifinal 2 7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN

Jan. 5

Third-place game, 3:30, NHLN, TSN
Championship game, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

PASADENA, Calif. — Ohio State got its revenge for one of its two regular-season losses, and it’s now headed to the College Football Playoff semifinal. 

The eighth-seeded Buckeyes came out with a fast start and never looked back to take down No. 1 Oregon in dominant fashion with a 41-21 victory in the Rose Bowl. 

Wednesday’s matchup was billed as the top quarterfinal matchup in the playoff, as many expected it to be a back-and-forth affair with the picturesque backdrop of the California sunset bouncing off the San Gabriel mountains.

Instead, when most of the country finally got the game on their screens after the Peach Bowl went to overtime, the Buckeyes already established control and it was an Ohio State showcase for much of the first half that became too much for even one of the best teams in the country to overcome. 

The first play of the game foreshadowed how the night would go, with Will Howard connecting with Gee Scott Jr. for a 30-yard gain. Two plays later, star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith bolted past the Oregon defense for a 45-yard score to give the Buckeyes a lead they’d never relinquish. 

Ohio State advances to the playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against No. 5 Texas, which defeated Arizona State earlier Wednesday.

SIGN OF SUCCESS: Instant classic at Peach Bowl shows playoff’s potential

Smith was show in “The Granddaddy of Them All,” who has looked like anything but someone playing their first season of college football. He constantly made highlight-worthy catches past Oregon defenders. Smith already had a career-high 161 receiving yards at halftime, and he finished the night with a 187 receiving yards on seven catches and two touchdowns. His second score, a 43-yard reception that put Ohio State ahead 24-0, effectively put the game officially out of reach early in the second quarter.

The blowout win was in contrast to the regular-season meeting between the teams won by Oregon 32-31 when Ohio State ran out of time in field-goal range.

Big plays were what drove Ohio State to such a commanding lead in just the first half, with all four touchdowns going at least 42 yards. There was the opening 45-yard score, a 42-yard catch by Emeka Egbuka, the 43-yard one from Smith and TreVeyon Henderson breaking free for a 66-yard run.

While the Ohio State offense continued to find big play after big play, Oregon struggled to generate any momentum and couldn’t handle the speed or toughness of the Buckeyes. It went three-and-out on its first two possessions of the game and failed to score on the first five possessions of the night. Oregon didn’t get on the scoreboard until the final play of the first half, when it was already down by 34-points.

To Oregon’s credit, the Ducks didn’t fold completely. They scored on their final drive of the second quarter and opened the second half with a touchdown to cut their deficit to 19. But after Oregon forced a three-and-out, the Buckeyes regained control and another Henderson touchdown to push the lead back to 26 points to start the fourth quarter.

The 41 points by Ohio State is the most allowed by the Ducks this season, and the most it’s allowed since Dan Lanning’s debut game in 2022 when it lost to Georgia 49-3. Oregon’s first loss of the season also ensure there will be no undefeated national champion after Georgia and Michigan were perfect the past two seasons.

The win by the Buckeyes means all three quarterfinal winners in the College Football Playoff were teams that played a first-round game. Georgia and Notre Dame will play Thursday in the final quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl.

The College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the 2025 Sugar Bowl has been postponed after 15 people were killed and about 30 people were injured early Wednesday morning in New Orleans when an armed man drove a pickup truck into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in a deadly attack.

Jeff Hundley, Sugar Bowl committee CEO, announced that the game will now be played on Thursday after consultation with officials from all parties involved. ‘All agree it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game,’ Hundley told reporters.

The CFP No. 2 seed Georgia and No. 7 seed Notre Dame were originally scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl game. The two teams will now play at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday and the winner still advances to face No. 6 seed Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 as part of the CFP semifinals.

“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know. It’s just not worth it,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said during a news conference with state, city and law enforcement officials, addressing the decision to postpone the game.

The deadly incident in New Orleans happened around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the city’s emergency responders, a little over 16 hours before Notre Dame and Georgia were previously scheduled to begin their quarterfinal matchup less than a mile away at the Caesars Superdome. The driver was driving at a high speed and within moments started firing on police officers from inside the vehicle, according to New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

USA TODAY confirmed with New Orleans police that the driver was fatally shot by police. The FBI said in an initial statement Wednesday that it was ‘working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.’ The FBI identified the driver as 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Texas resident Shamsud Din Jabbar. Federal law enforcement officials stated that an ISIS flag, weapons and a potential IED were located in the subject’s vehicle. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter, according to the FBI, who also indicated it did not believe Jabbar acted alone.

Kirkpatrick said initially the Sugar Bowl game would be played as scheduled. Bill Cassidy, a Republican U.S. senator in Louisiana, also told CNN in an interview Wednesday that he was ‘extremely confident’ the Sugar Bowl game would be played.

‘The standard operating procedure for a big game like the Sugar Bowl, for a Saints game, for the Super Bowl is to go through the building, make sure there’s nothing there that’s wrong, and then to lock it down,’ Cassidy said. ‘The Sugar Bowl, the Superdome has been locked down. There is going to be no problem there.’

University of Georgia president Jere Morehead announced Wednesday one of the victims who was critically injured in the early morning act of violence was a Georgia student. Notre Dame said it was ‘working with law enforcement and others to determine the full scope and impact of the tragedy.’

Former senior U.S. counterterrorism official Javed Ali told USA TODAY things can evolve as the FBI investigation unfolds, including scenarios that could impact the Sugar Bowl.

Based on what the FBI and other authorities have made public to date, “This wasn’t just one person acting on their own, and however many other people are involved in this conspiracy, they’re on the loose right now,” said Ali, who is not involved in the investigation but has held senior U.S. intelligence positions across multiple agencies.

Many factors would have to go into whether the game should be held as scheduled, further postponed or even canceled, Ali said. “That’s going to have to be something to figure out from a risk management perspective,” he said.

When is the Sugar Bowl: Updated time, date, TV for Georgia vs. Notre Dame

The 2025 Sugar Bowl was postponed in the wake of Wednesday’s tragic events on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Here’s the latest information on when the CFP quarterfinal game between No. 2 seed Georgia and No. 7 seed Notre Dame is happening and how to watch:

Date: Thursday, January 2
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)

Josh Meyer contributed to this story. This article has been updated with new information and a new video.

The No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes had revenge on their mind against the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks heading into the Rose Bowl. 

The last time the two teams faced off in Week 7 of the regular season, Oregon narrowly defeated Ohio State 32-31, thanks to a late game blunder by Buckeyes QB Will Howard. The College Football Playoff quarterfinal on Wednesday was an entirely different story.

The Buckeyes blew out the Ducks 41-21 to advance to the CFP semifinal, where they will face No. 5 seed Texas. Ohio State jumped to a 34-0 lead over Oregon in the first half and weathered any attempts at a comeback from the Ducks.

‘We came out and we played angry and it showed. We jumped out to an early lead and it was hard for them to come back,’ Howard said postgame. ‘We got two more. We aren’t done yet.’

Howard completed 17 of 26 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 12.3 yards per play. Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, who finished with seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns, was named the offensive MVP. Running back TreVeyon Henderson had two scores of his own with eight carries for 94 yards and three receptions for 20 yards. Receiver Emeka Egbuka also had a touchdown with five receptions for 72 yards.

Ohio State dominated the line of scrimmage and Oregon’s run game was nonexistent as a result. Oregon registered minus-23 rushing yards the entire game, compared to 181 rushing yards from Ohio State. 

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel completed 29 of 41 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Traeshon Holden, who finished with seven receptions for 116 yards. Running back Jordan James had seven carries for 14 yards and two receptions for seven yards before he exited the game in the second quarter with an undisclosed injury. 

Here is how everything unfolded from Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory.

Rose Bowl highlights: Watch Ohio State’s rout against Oregon

Rose Bowl defensive player of the game

Senior linebacker Cody Simon recorded two of Ohio State’s eight sacks against Dillon Gabriel and was named the Rose Bowl’s defensive player of the game. Simon had 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

Rose Bowl offensive player of the game

Ohio State’s dynamic freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith was named the offensive player of the game after hauling in seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon forced to punt

The Ducks picked up one first down, but a sack on third down by Ohio State’s Cody Simon forced Oregon into a fourth-and-long situation. Coach Dan Lanning chose to punt the ball away with time running out on the Ducks’ season.

Ohio State milking the clock

The Buckeyes ran the ball on four of six plays of the ensuing drive, including 21 yards on three carries by Quinshon Judkins. An incomplete pass on third-and-9 stopped the clock, though, and Oregon will get the ball back with 6:07 left to play.

Oregon score: Traeshon Holden 27-yard TD pass from Dillon Gabriel

The Ducks are back on the board with a record-tying touchdown pass by QB Dillon Gabriel.

After hooking up with Traeshon Holden for a 27-yard score, Gabriel ties Case Keenum for the most TD passes in FBS history with 155.

The key play of the drive was a fourth-down conversion on a Gabriel-to-Tez Johnson pass play on fourth-and-11. Gabriel is up to 289 yards passing and two TDs. Ohio State 41, Oregon 21

Ohio State punts after sack

An offensive holding pass called on Ohio State set them behind the sticks and the Buckeyes couldn’t recover. On third-and-11, Ohio State QB Will Howard was sacked for the first time of the night for a 5-yard loss, bringing the Buckeyes to fourth-and-16. Ohio State subsequently punted.

Oregon punts after sack 

The Ducks’ next drive stalled after Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom sacked Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel for a 2-yard loss on Oregon’s 41-yard line. 

Ohio State score: TreVeyon Henderson 8-yard TD run

Ohio State is back in the driver’s seat, thanks to TreVeyon Henderson’s 8-yard touchdown run. Buckeyes QB Will Howard found receiver Jeremiah Smith twice on the drive – for 10-yard and 16-yard receptions – and a face mask penalty called on Oregon against RB Quinshon Judkins set the Buckeyes up on the goal line. 

Henderson is up to four carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State 41, Oregon 15

Oregon momentum stalls with three-and-out

Oregon’s offensive line surrendered back-to-back sacks, leading to a three-and-out of their own. Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer caught Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel for a 7-yard loss, followed by a sack from LB Cody Simon for a 6-yard loss. Facing fourth-and-23, Oregon punted the ball away on its own 12-yard line. 

Three-and-out for Ohio State 

Oregon’s offense is warming up, and so is the Ducks’ defense. Oregon forced Ohio State’s first three-and-out of the game after Buckeyes QB Will Howard failed to connect with WR Emeka Egbuka. Oregon gets the ball back with 7:15 left in the third quarter.

Oregon score: Noah Whittington 2-yard TD run

With the Ducks backed up on their own 13-yard-line, QB Dillon Gabriel scrambled on third-and-22 before connecting with receiver Justius Lowe on a 21-yard pass to set Oregon up with a manageable fourth-and-1. Gabriel kept the ball and rushed for one yard to move the sticks and keep their opening, second-half drive alive.

Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson had two catches on the drive – a 17-yard and 25-yard reception – to bring the Ducks to Ohio State’s 2-yard line. RB Noah Whittington punched the ball in the end zone to cap Oregon’s 11-play, 75-yard drive. The Ducks now trail the Buckeyes 34-15.

Halftime: Ohio State 34, Oregon 8

Ohio State has dominated all phases of the game through the first half. QB Will Howard completed 11 of 18 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 14.9 yards per play. Receiver Jeremiah Smith has five receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns, while Emeka Egbuka has four receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. Running back TreVeyon Henderson added two carries for 70 yards and one touchdown. 

Ohio State has recorded 390 total yards in the first half, compared to 139 total yards for Oregon.

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel completed 15 of 23 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Traeshon Holden has four receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. Running back Jordan James had seven carries for 14 yards and two receptions for seven yards before he exited the game in the second quarter with an undisclosed injury. Oregon has collectively rushed for only 13 yards through the first half. 

There have been no penalties or turnovers by either team in the matchup so far. 

Oregon score: Traeshon Holden 5-yard TD pass from Dillon Gabriel

The Ducks were able to get on the board before heading into the locker room at halftime. Instead of settling for a field goal on Ohio State’s 5-yard line with three seconds remaining in the half, Oregon went for a touchdown. QB Dillon Gabriel scrambled and prolonged the play at the goal line before finding receiver Traeshon Holden in the back of the end zone for Oregon’s first score of the night. Gabriel then connected with receiver Justius Lowe for a successful two-point conversion.

‘It’s great to get a score at the end of the half and build a little momentum as we carry this into halftime,’ Oregon coach Dan Lanning told ESPN as he was walking off the field. 

Oregon gets the ball in the second half. Ohio State 34, Oregon 8

Ohio State score: Jayden Fielding 36-yard field goal

Oregon slowed down the Ohio State offense, if only slightly. The Buckeyes settled for a field goal after their 10-play, 43-yard drive stalled in the red zone. Ohio State leads 34-0 with 2:59 remaining in the first half.  

Oregon has fourth three-and-out

Another drive, another three-and-out for the Ducks. Oregon’s RB Noah Whittington couldn’t get anything going on the ground and lost two-yards on a run attempt to open their sixth possession of the game. QB Dillon Gabriel couldn’t connect with Kenyon Sadiq and Traeshon Holden on the next plays, resulting in the Ducks’ fourth three-and-out of the game. 

Ohio State score: TreVeyon Henderson 66-yard TD run

Ohio State needed only one play to reach the end zone again. QB Will Howard handed the ball off to TreVeyon Henderson at the Buckeyes’ own 34-yard line and Henderson exploded for a 66-yard touchdown along the sideline. Ohio State now leads 31-0 with 8:47 remaining in the first half. Henderson has two carries for 70 yards on the day.

Another three-and-out for Oregon

The Ducks had no answer for the Buckeyes and surrendered another three-and-out, marking Oregon’s third of the game. In five total possessions in the Rose Bowl, the Ducks have punted four times and turned the ball over on downs once. 

Ohio State score: Jeremiah Smith 43-yard TD pass from Will Howard

Yes again.

The flood gates have opened and Ohio State extended its lead over Oregon. QB Will Howard found receiver Jeremiah Smith wide open for a 43-yard touchdown to go up 24-0 over the Ducks. The drive lasted all of 42 seconds. The Buckeyes had great field position after the Ducks failed to convert fourth down at their own 48-yard line.

Howard is up to 255 yards and three touchdowns on the day, averaging 18.2 yards per play. Smith has five receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon turns ball over on downs 

Oregon turned over the ball on downs at their own 48-yard line. Trailing 17-0, Oregon attempted to convert a fourth-and-3 to keep their drive alive, but QB Dillon Gabriel’s pass intended for Terrance Ferguson was broken up. 

The Ducks have struggled to get anything going in the air or on the ground so far. Ohio State has held Oregon to only 60 total yards, compared to 238 for the Buckeyes. Gabriel has completed 8 of 12 passes for 47 yards and the team only has 13 rushing yards as a whole. 

Rose Bowl view from above

Check out this impressive view of the Rose Bowl Stadium before kickoff of the Ohio State-Oregon College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

Ohio State score: Jayden Fielding 46-yard field goal

The Buckeyes are rolling. QB Will Howard connected with receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 32-yard pass on third down to move the chains and set Ohio State up on Oregon’s 47-yard-line. Howard hit receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 15-yard completion, but the Buckeyes’ drive stalled. Ohio State settled for a 46-yard field goal from kicker Jayden Fielding to extend their lead to 17-0 with 14:50 remaining in the second quarter. 

End of first quarter: Ohio State 14, Oregon 0

The Buckeyes red-hot offense is moving the ball again as the first quarter comes to an end in Pasadena. Will Howard already has 212 yards passing and Jeremiah Smith already has 118 yards receiving. They connected again on a 32-yard pass pass during the most recent possession.

Oregon gets first first down, but has to punt again

Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks offense moved the ball much better in this possession, but it ended the same way: punting. Oregon got two first downs and even crossed into Ohio State territory, but stalled out at the Buckeyes 49. Ohio State resumes possession with a 14-0 lead and 3:38 left in the first quarter.

Ohio State score: Emeka Egbuka 46-yard TD from Will Howard

Will Howard and the Ohio State offense is on absolute fire to start this Rose Bowl. On the third play of the Buckeyes’ third possession, Howard hit Emeka Egbuka with a perfectly placed pass for a 46-yard touchdown. After the PAT, the Buckeyes have a 14-0 lead over undefeated Oregon. Howard is 6 for 9 for 165 yards and two touchdowns already.

Another three-and-out for Oregon

Ohio State’s defense is looking awfully stout early. Dillon Gabriel completed a first-down pass to Jordan James for just two yards, and then Gabriel threw two incompletions to bring out the punting unit. A 31-yard punt went out of bounds and gives Ohio State the ball at its own 47.

Ohio State’s offense stalls during second possession

Jeremiah Smith made a spectacular 29-yard catch on the first play and a 12-yard reception on the third play to give the Buckeyes a first-and-10 from the Oregon 36. But the Ducks’ defense stood its ground after that, forcing the Buckeyes to punt. Oregon will have the ball with 9:17 left in the first quarter.

Jeremiah Smith Big Ten touchdown record

Jeremiah Smith’s touchdown gives him the most receiving touchdown by a freshman in Big Ten history with 14.

Oregon’s first possession: Three and out

Dillon Gabriel completed his first two passes for 10 yards, but the Ducks fell a yard short of a first down and were forced to punt during their first possession. Ohio State will get the ball back with 11:53 left in the first quarter.

Ohio State score: Jeremiah Smith 45-yard TD from Will Howard

The Buckeyes got on the board quickly, with Will Howard finding tight end Gee Scott Jr. for a 30-yard pass on the first play of the game, and then getting Jeremiah Smith a short pass that the freshman turned into a 45-yard score. The PAT was good. Ohio State 7, Oregon 0

Rose Bowl Grand Marshal

Tennis legend Billie Jean King is the 2025 Grand Marshal of the Rose Bowl. Her coin toss went Oregon’s way, and the Ducks deferred. Ohio State chose to get the ball to open the game.

Ohio State uniforms in Rose Bowl

The Buckeyes are wearing white jerseys with gray pants. They have their traditional gray helmets with a thick scarlet stripe, but roses are included within the stripe to pay homage to playing in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon uniforms in Rose Bowl

Oregon is wearing green jerseys with yellow lettering and white pants. They’ll go with silver helmets the include green ‘feather’ stripes.

What channel is Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon?

Since the Chick fil-A Peach Bowl between Texas and Arizona State has gone to overtime, the broadcast for the Rose Bowl will begin on ESPN2. It will move to ESPN at the conclusion of the Peach Bowl.

When is Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon?

The Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks kicks off at 5 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

How to watch Ohio State and Oregon in Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.

Watch Penn State take on Boise State with a Fubo subscription

Ohio State vs. Oregon: Rose Bowl odds

The Ohio State Buckeyes are favorites to defeat the Oregon Ducks, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Wednesday, Jan. 1

Spread: Ohio State (-2.5)
Moneyline: Ohio State (-135); Oregon (+115)
Over/under: 55.5

Predictions for Rose Bowl, Ohio State vs. Oregon:

USA TODAY: No. 1 Oregon over Ohio State

Paul Myerberg writes, ‘Oregon’s been here before, scoring a 32-31 win during the regular season, and can use the same blueprint to score a second victory against the Buckeyes. While the Buckeyes can shift this narrative with a strong game against Tennessee, these resemble two teams moving in different directions: Oregon up, Ohio State down. Beating the Ducks would demand a major uptick in production and explosiveness from an offense that has scuffled since late October.’

Cory Pappas, Sports Illustrated: Oregon 31, Ohio State 28

Pappas writes, ‘In their last meeting in October, it came down to the last play, and the same could be true this go around. Despite the game being a much closer proximity to Oregon, Ohio State fans will still travel and the crowd will likely be a 50/50 split. Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel has earned the trust of Ducks fans, and Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and the Ohio State offense scored at will against Tennessee.’

FOX Sports: Ohio State 26, Oregon 25

FOX Sports believes the Buckeyes have a slight advantage, pointing at Ohio State’s 56.7% chance to win based on implied probability. That said, the Ducks have won each of the past two meetings against Ohio State.

Jaren Kawada, ClutchPoints: Oregon to win

Kawada writes, ‘The biggest discrepancies seem to favor Oregon. It is hard to see (Ohio State quarterback Will) Howard throwing for 300 yards against this secondary a second time, especially with (Oregon defensive end Jordan) Burch now in the lineup. Oregon should expect a bigger impact from the Buckeyes’ backfield, but Ohio State has not topped 180 rushing yards since losing star tackle Josh Simmons for the year in the first matchup.’

Bowl game picks  

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games. 

Ohio State vs. Oregon all-time record 

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes have faced each other 11 times in their history. Ohio State owns a 9-2 record in the series.

The Ducks beat the Buckeyes in the most recent matchup, 32-31, on Oct. 12, 2024

College Football Playoff bracket: Quarterfinals updated results, schedule

The CFP quarterfinal games are being played over the course of two days, with No. 6 seed Penn State kicking the action off on New Year’s Eve by beating No. 3 seed Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The final three quarterfinal games will all take place on Wednesday, New Year’s Day.

All times Eastern

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State def. No. 3 Boise State, 31-14

Wednesday, Jan. 1

Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (OT)
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, postponed

Thursday, Jan. 2

Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

College Football Playoff first round results

Friday, Dec. 20

No. 7 Notre Dame def. No. 10 Indiana, 27-17

Saturday, Dec. 21

No. 6 Penn State def. No. 11 SMU, 38-10
No. 5 Texas def. No. 12 Clemson, 38-24
No. 8 Ohio State def. No. 9 Tennessee, 42-17

When are the College Football Playoff semifinals?

The CFP semifinal games will be played on Jan. 9-10.

Thursday, Jan. 9

Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

Friday, Jan. 10

Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs. Rose Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

CFP national championship game schedule

Monday, Jan. 20

Game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

CFP rankings 

Oregon (Big Ten champion, No. 1 seed)*
Georgia (SEC champion, No. 2 seed)*
Texas (No. 5 seed)
Penn State (No. 6 seed)
Notre Dame (No. 7 seed)
Ohio State (No. 8 seed)
Tennessee (No. 9 seed)
Indiana (No. 10 seed)
Boise State (MWC champion, No. 3 seed)*
SMU (No. 11 seed)
Alabama
Arizona State (Big 12 champion, No. 4 seed)*
Miami
Mississippi
South Carolina
Clemson (ACC champion, No. 12 seed)**

*first-round bye; **automatic bid

Ohio State’s Will Howard gets second chance

A quarterback’s lowlights are remembered as much as his highlights, depending on a game’s outcome, and that might influence perception of Howard. He threw two interceptions in Ohio State’s loss to Michigan. One set up the Wolverines at the 2-yard line for their lone touchdown. The other occurred inside the red zone and thwarted a Buckeyes scoring opportunity. Howard played at his worst in Ohio State’s biggest regular-season game.

That wasn’t the case when the Buckeyes lost to Oregon. Howard threw for a season-high 326 yards, but the play most remembered most was his moment-too-late slide at the end of a scramble, while time expired. If he had slid a couple of steps sooner, the Buckeyes would have had an attempt at a long game-winning field goal.

‘The way that last (game against Oregon) ended doesn’t sit right with me,” Howard said. “It still doesn’t. It still bugs me. And I’m just thankful for the opportunity that we get another crack at them.’ — Blake Toppmeyer

College football bowl game schedule: Entire postseason lineup

College football bowl season began Dec. 14 and will run through Jan. 20 with the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta. Click here for the schedule of all upcoming bowls, including the College Football Playoff, and the results of already completed games.

College football 2024 season predictions 

The experts at USA TODAY Sports offered predictions for the 2024 season before it started, including which 12 teams would make the College Football Playoff.

Scooby Axson: Ohio State 
Jordan Mendoza: Oregon 
Paul Myerberg: Georgia 
Erick Smith: Georgia 
Eddie Timanus: Ohio State 
Dan Wolken: Ohio State 

Bowl seasons change: What to do about college football’s postseason?

The timing is good to think about changes. In 2026, when all the current agreements expire, the College Football Playoff is likely to expand to 14 teams. That will undoubtedly have a downstream impact on the bowls, of which there are currently 35 outside of those tied to the playoff.

The reality check here is bowl season, for all its problems, is inexorably linked to ESPN’s December programming schedule. In fact, ESPN owns and operates 17 of those games itself and has broadcast agreements with nearly all of the others. Good luck convincing college football’s most important business partner that bowl games are no longer worthwhile when they’re filling television windows over the holidays that generate more viewers than the NBA, college basketball or NHL regular-season games that would likely take their place. — Dan Wolken

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Quinn Ewers stepped up in overtime and helped No. 5 Texas pull out a thrilling 39-31 win against No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Ewers finished with 322 passing yards and four total touchdowns for the Longhorns, who led 14-0 early in the first quarter after a 75-yard punt return for a score by Silas Bolden but were held out of rhythm by the Sun Devils’ ball-control offense.

Arizona State held possession for nearly 38 minutes of regulation and ran 94 total plays for 495 yards, including 20 plays in the third quarter to the Longhorns’ five. Texas gained 375 yards on 60 plays and had just 53 rushing yards on 30 carries.

The Longhorns led 24-8 five minutes into the fourth quarter after Ewers scrambled for a short touchdown run.

The ASU gameplan eventually wore on Texas, however, helping the Sun Devils even the score at 24-24 after a 42-yard touchdown pass by running back Cam Skattebo with 6:31 left in the fourth quarter and a short Skattebo scoring run with five minutes remaining.

After a controversial non-call on a potential targeting penalty against Texas forced Arizona State to punt with just over a minute left, the Longhorns took possession at their 20-yard line and went 61 yards in eight plays to set up kicker Bert Auburn’s 38-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

But after he missed a longer attempt earlier in the fourth quarter, Auburn’s try doinked off the left upright to force extra frames.

The Sun Devils scored on another Skattebo touchdown run on their first overtime possession, with the drive extended on a key fourth-down conversion on a sneak from quarterback Sam Leavitt and his 16-yard run on third down to set up first-and-goal.

Texas’ overtime possession began with an incompletion, a run for no gain, a short gain on a completion on the left sideline and a false-start penalty. But needing 13 yards to convert on fourth down, Ewers laid a pass over the top of the Arizona State defense to Matthew Golden for a 28-yard touchdown to even the score at 31-31.

Starting on offense in the second frame, Ewers hit tight end Gunnar Helm for a 25-yard score on the first play and then found Golden for the two-point conversion to go ahead 39-31.

The Sun Devils’ second possession ended with Leavitt intercepted by Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba, sealing the win.

The Longhorns will next face the winner of the Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State.

Defensively, the Longhorns focused on slowing down Skattebo, who entered the playoff ranked fifth in the Bowl Subdivision in rushing yards per game.

Skattebo was held in check for the first half but began to churn out yardage and make his presence felt in the third quarter. He finished with 141 rushing yards on 29 carries, a team-high 86 receiving yards and three combined scores, putting together perhaps the most impressive individual performance of the postseason.

With the Sun Devils failing to contain the Longhorns’ pass rush, ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt had to constantly scramble and throw on the run and finished 23 of 43 for 209 yards, averaging just 4.9 yards per attempt.

Ewers hit on 19 of his 29 attempts for the Longhorns. Quintrevion Wisner ran for 45 yards on 18 carries with 40 receiving yards and Golden had a game-high 149 yards and a touchdown.

The loss ends a dream season for the Sun Devils, who won just three games last season but stormed to the Big 12 crown and earned a bye into the quarterfinals by beating Iowa State in the conference championship game.