How much Ohio State's defense improved in its rematch with Oregon

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Oregon came into the Rose Bowl with an offense worthy of its ranking as the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

Then came Ohio State's defense. And things just didn't seem the same.

The Buckeyes erased the Ducks' running game Wednesday, and then they concentrated on limiting the passing game in a 41-21 win. They advanced to face Texas in a semifinal on Jan. 10 in the Cotton Bowl, and the Longhorns will have to dissect the efforts of multiple standout players.

Linebacker Cody Simon had 11 tackles, including two sacks of Oregon's Dillon Gabriel. Safety Lathan Ransom had seven tackles. Lineman JT Tuimoloau had three tackles for loss. End Jack Sawyer broke up three passes, and so did defensive back Caleb Downs.

The Ducks had negative yardage rushing, even if you discount yards Gabriel lost on sacks. And yet they led on time of possession by one minute.

When it came time for perhaps their best game of the season, the Buckeyes defense picked the right time. This was the same Oregon offense that gained 496 yards Oct. 12 in a 32-31 win over Ohio State, a loss that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles really didn't want to talk about ahead of the Rose Bowl.

"That game, we gave up a few plays that we shouldn't have," Knowles said.

Instead, he let the Buckeyes use their effort to respond to questions on how they'd fare a second time against the Ducks. In the first half, all but two Oregon drives ended with punts. On the others, one ended on a failed fourth-down conversion and the other with the Ducks' first touchdown, as time expired in the first half.

That drive covered 75 yards, as did Oregon's first of the second half, which also ended in a touchdown as Gabriel used his scrambling ability to extend plays. But then the defense mostly settled down again.

Jordan James, Oregon's leading rusher in the October game with 115 yards, was also the team's leading rusher in the rematch, but with 14 yards. Gabriel passed for 299 yards after gaining 341 in the first meeting.

The attention now shifts to Texas. Although the Cotton Bowl won't be a rematch, Ohio State will see a familiar face.

The Longhorns quarterback is Quinn Ewers, a transfer from Ohio State. In a 39-31 win over Arizona State, he passed for 322 yards and three touchdowns, including a 25-yard pass to Gunnar Helm for the winning touchdown in double overtime.