Joe McGuire’s Ohio State Buckeyes win Rose Bowl over Oregon

Eddie McGuire was in the stands with more than 90,000 other college football fans to watch his son triumph in the famous Rose Bowl.

Aussie punter Joe McGuire is off to the College Football Playoff semi-finals after his Ohio State Buckeyes produced a dominant performance in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl to beat undefeated Oregon, 41-21.

The annual Rose Bowl Game is known as the highest-attended college football game of the year and the fans did not disappoint in California. And while it wasn’t a headline-grabbing showing from the Australian, McGuire was assured when called upon as his team ran riot with ball in hand.

The Buckeyes raced out to a 34-0 lead in the first half on the back of their efficient offence. Each of their first four touchdowns came on drives of three plays or fewer, including a 66-yard rushing touchdown by TreVeyon Henderson.

Joe McGuire reacts after a field goal. Picture: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

It meant that McGuire’s role was almost reduced to one similar to the thousands of spectators that watched on in the opening two quarters. He was called on for a 36-yard punt early that went for a touchback before sitting down for the rest of the half.

However, Oregon have proved all season they’re not to be counted out, earning the number one seed for the playoffs as the only perfect ranked team. The Ducks bounced back with 15 straight points to narrow the margin.

The pressure was suddenly on Ohio State and McGuire found himself more involved in the game. He forced a fair catch with a solid 43-yard punt early in the third quarter as his side slowly wrestled the momentum back.

Quacked the code.#GoBucks | @koorsenfirepic.twitter.com/yko0uNkCZ9

— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) January 2, 2025

His father, Eddie, was one of the 90,732 in attendance in Pasadena as McGuire and the Buckeyes were eventually able to close out the game thanks to a second rushing touchdown to Henderson. As the match petered out, McGuire produced three more punts, finishing with 202 yards for the night including a game-high punt of 47 yards.

It was sweet revenge for Ohio State after losing to Oregon by a point earlier in the season. The victory sets up a big semi-final match against the Texas Longhorns on January 11 at 11.30 AEDT, with the side now just two wins away from claiming the national championship.

Originally published as Joe McGuire’s Ohio State Buckeyes win Rose Bowl over Oregon