Utah, ranked 11th, holds a 38-31 advantage over the 6th-ranked Ohio State in a Rose Bowl game that’s proven as thrilling and unpredictable as anyone could desire. The second period saw a dramatic shift in momentum as both squads exchanged punishing blows, a stark contrast to the opening stanza.
Initially, an unexpected rout seemed imminent as Utah surged to a 14-0 lead, leaving Ohio State appearing somewhat listless. However, the atmosphere swiftly altered.
Ohio State gambled on fourth-and-one, attempting a deep pass. Stroud found Harrison Jr. for a 25-yard touchdown, igniting an electrifying second quarter. The Utes countered with another lengthy scoring drive to restore their two-touchdown lead, only to witness three touchdowns in a mere 30 seconds. Following Stroud’s 50-yard scoring strike to Smith-Njigba, Utah’s Covey delivered a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown. Moments later, Stroud connected with Smith-Njigba again for another significant gain.
Adding to the excitement, Utah’s Rising transformed a broken play into a remarkable 62-yard touchdown run on a risky fourth-and-one attempt, widening the Utes’ lead to 35-21. Remarkably, the remaining six minutes of the half concluded without further points.
The Buckeyes dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Utes 10-3, yet still find themselves trailing by a single touchdown as the final period commences. Stay tuned for continuous updates, expert commentary, and key moments from CBS Sports throughout the entirety of the Rose Bowl match.
