Ohio State vs. Tennessee live score, updates, highlights from 2024 College Football Playoff first round

By | December 21, 2024
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year — the 2024 12-team College Football Playoff has finally arrived. 

The fourth and final game of the first round will take place on Saturday night, between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Tennessee at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Both teams enter this game sitting at 10-2, and despite a couple of disappointing losses, the Buckeyes and Vols were still able to make the 12-team field with their respective resumes. 

STREAM: Watch Ohio State vs. Tennessee live with Fubo (free trial)

Tennessee lost to Arkansas and Georgia this season. The offense is led by running back Dylan Sampson, who has 1,485 yards with 22 touchdowns. Vol quarterback Nico Iamaleava, in his first season as Tennessee’s starter, has completed 65.7 percent of his passes with 2,512 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Ohio State, meanwhile, has two losses to Oregon and rival Michigan. The Buckeyes, who spent $20 million to build their roster this season, are led by quarterback Will Howard, freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith and running back Quinshon Judkins. Howard has thrown for 2,860 yards with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. 

While both teams would love a win in this one, there’s significant pressure on Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. He has a 1-4 record against rival Michigan and an underwhelming one against ranked opponents and in CFP games in general. 

The Sporting News tracks all of the action from Saturday night’s game, including stats, highlights and more. 

SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule

Ohio State vs. Tennessee score

  1 2 3 4 F
Ohio State 21 0 14 — —
Tennessee 0 10 0 — —

Ohio State vs. Tennessee live updates, results, highlights from 2024 College Football Playoff

(All times ET)

Ohio State 35, Tennessee 10

10:49 P.M. TOUCHDOWN — Well, this looks like it’s over. Quinshon Judkins rushes it in for a one-yard touchdown to give Ohio State an even bigger lead. 

10:45 p.m. — Tennessee gets flagged for pass interference on a Will Howard pass attempt to Jeremiah Smith in the end zone. Looks like OSU will score again here. 

10:42 p.m. — Ohio State is driving again, and the Buckeyes are past midfield. Tennessee needs a stop here to stay in this. 

10:33 p.m. — Iamaleava’s third-down pass attempt from Tennessee’s 43 is batted down, and the Vols will punt. There’s 6:04 left in the third here. 

Ohio State 28, Tennessee 10

10:25 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Well, so much for Tennessee holding Ohio State in the second half. Howard hits Smith on a perfect pass in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown. The throw was an absolute dime. 

10:17 p.m. — On third down, Ohio State reads a Tennessee option pitch play perfectly and get the stop. The Vols punt and give the ball back to the Buckeyes. 

10:11 p.m. — The second half is getting started here. Let’s see how Tennessee comes out. It looks like Dylan Sampson was about to go into the Tennessee huddle, but he didn’t go in the game. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that he is questionable to return with a lower body injury.  

HALFTIME: Ohio State 21, Tennessee 10

9:49 p.m. — Ohio State attempts a 56-yard field goal to close out the first half, but it pushes left. The Buckeyes go to the locker room with an 11-point lead. 

Ohio State 21, Tennessee 10 

9:43 P.M. TOUCHDOWN — And Tennessee has its first touchdown of the night! Iamaleava caps off a great drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown. This has to feel good for the Vols as they head into the locker room at halftime. Tennessee will get the ball to start the second half. 

9:37 p.m. — Tennessee goes for it on 4th down and gets it. The Vols are down to Ohio State’s 15, knocking on the door. Vol running back Dylan Sampson is reportedly battling a hamstring injury, per the ESPN broadcast. 

9:30 p.m. —Tennessee needs some points here. The Vols forced a Buckeye three-and-out for the first time all night and have the ball back. Tennessee’s driving and is down to their own 43. Unfortunately it looks like Vols receiver Squirrel White is in the locker room with an injury. 

Ohio State 23, Tennessee 3

9:21 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Tennessee is finally on the board, as Max Gilbert hits a 36-yard field goal. It looked like OSU could have gotten flagged for pass interference on Iamaleava’s third-down pass in the end zone, but it wasn’t called.  

9:17 p.m. — Wow, it looks like Iamaleava throws an interception, but Ohio State gets flagged for roughing the passer. Tennessee’s drive continues.

9:12 p.m. — The Vols have a nice drive going here, and it’s all Nico Iamaleava. He’s two-for-two on this drive with 38 yards in the air. Tennessee still has a long way to go though, on its own 45 yard line.

9:09 p.m. — Tennessee finally has some life! Will Brooks pick off Howard in the end zone, and prevents what would have been a soul-crushing Buckeye score. Let’s see if Tennessee’s offense can get some points. 

9:03 p.m. — Ohio State is just toying with Tennessee now. The Buckeyes go for it on 4th-and-4 from Tennessee’s 47, and Will Howard hits Jeremiah Smith for 10 yards and a first down.  

8:53 p.m. — On 3rd-and-14, Iamaleava’s pass falls incomplete. Ohio State gets away with a hold on Squirrel White, but there was no flag on the play. Tennessee punts it away. Let’s see if Tennessee’s defense can get a much-needed stop here. 

Ohio State 21, Tennessee 0 

8:47 p.m.  TOUCHDOWN— Oh my, this is getting out of hand. TreVeyon Henderson runs 29 yards for a touchdown and this is already a three-score game. We aren’t even out of the first quarter! Yikes, Vols. 

8:45 p.m. — Tennessee’s defense has no answers so far. On 3rd-and-5, Howard hits Emeka Egbuka for 17 yards and a first down to the Tennessee 26. 

8:36 p.m. — Tennessee goes three-and-out on its ensuing possession. The Vols were stopped for a loss of one and 12 yards on a Iamaleava sack on first and second down. Tennessee has -18 total yards of offense on the night. Not the start the Vols were hoping for whatsoever!  

Ohio State 14, Tennessee 0

8:29 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Well, this one has escalated pretty quickly. Howard throws two deep passes on OSU’s ensuing possession, and Quinshon Judkins punches it in for a one-yard touchdown. Howard is five-of-six for 124 yards and a touchdown on just two possessions. 

8:27 p.m. — Nico got hit so hard that he cracked his helmet. The quarterback looks to be OK, luckily. 

8:23 p.m. — Tennessee facing a 3rd-and-4, and Ohio State stops Nico Iamaleava, who had to escape the pocket in a hurry. Nice start for this Buckeye defense early. The Vols will punt. 

Ohio State 7, Tennessee 0

8:17 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Hello, Jeremiah Smith! Howard hits the true freshman on a gorgeous 37-yard touchdown pass. What a way for Ohio State to start this one. That face mask penalty was huge for OSU’s momentum. 

8:15 p.m. — Tennessee looks like it has a sack on Will Howard on third down, but the Vols get flagged for a face mask. First down, Ohio State, from the Buckeye 48. 

8:11 p.m. — Ohio State gets the ball first, let’s see how this Buckeye offense comes out. 

8:08 p.m. — We’re getting close to kickoff here! The atmosphere in Ohio Stadium feels absolutely electric. 

7:35 p.m. — It looks like several Tennessee fans have made the trip to Columbus: 

MORE OHIO STATE-TENNESSEE NEWS:

Ohio State vs. Tennessee start time

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Ohio State vs. Tennessee kicks off Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. 

What channel is Ohio State vs. Tennessee on today?

  • TV channel: ABC/ESPN
  • Live stream: WatchESPN, Fubo

Saturday night’s playoff game will feature ESPN’s lead college football crew: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe.  

Streaming will be available on WatchESPN and Fubo.

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