Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks, Ohio State Rose Bowl Massive TV Views Breaks College Football Record

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes had a large viewing audience for their Rose Bowl matchup in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals on ESPN. It was the most watched non-NFL American sporting event since last year's national championship.

Cory Pappas

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

The Oregon Ducks fell in the Rose Bowl to the Ohio State Buckeyes 41-21 on Wednesday. It was not the ending to the season the Ducks wanted, as Oregon came into the game with a 13-0 record and Big Ten Championship. Ohio State got their revenge from their 32-31 defeat at Autzen Stadium in October. 

The rematch in the Rose Bowl was one of the most anticipated games of the college football season and drew the most television eyeballs of any college football game this season with 21.1 viewers, ESPN announced. The alternate feed led by Pat McAfee on ESPN2, drew 2.4 million viewers, which was the most viewed “AltCast” ever. 

Oregon vs. Ohio State Rose Bowl Draws 21.1 Million Viewers 

The Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon averaged 21.1 million viewers on New Year’s day. It was the most watched college football game since last season’s national championship between Washington and Michigan, which drew an average of 25 million viewers. The Rose Bowl had more viewers than the previous game on Jan. 1 between Texas and Arizona State, which averaged 17.3 million viewers. 

Not only was the Rose Bowl the most watched college football game since the title game last year, it was also the most watched non-NFL sporting event since the National Championship Game. It drew more eyeballs than the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball Championships, the NBA Finals, World Series, and The Masters.

MORE: Can Oregon Ducks Win National Championship in 2026? Schedule Analysis, Prediction

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dante Moore Ready To Lead? 'Heisman Finalist' Says Receiver Tez Johnson

MORE: Five-Star Recruit Elbert Hill Visiting Oregon Ducks, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan

The 21.1 million that tuned into Ohio State vs. Oregon were most likely not expected such a one-sided affair. Ohio State took the lead so quickly, ESPN hadn’t yet switched their feed over from the prior game between Arizona State and Texas. Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was in the end zone just one minute into the game.

Buckeyes Dominate In Front Of Whole Country

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes at Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the second ha
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes at Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Before many had even watched a play of the Rose Bowl, Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had already waltzed his way into the endzone to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead. By the middle of the second quarter, the game was essentially already over after a Treveyon Henderson breakaway rushing touchdown. The Buckeyes led 34-0 with 8:47 to go in the second quarter.

Oregon tried to rally and had a chance to make it interesting late in the third quarter as they got the ball down 34-15. However, they quickly punted the ball back to Ohio State who promptly scored another touchdown. Oregon made the score look a bit more respectable at the end with the 41-21 final, but it was a complete domination from the Buckeyes.  

MORE: Nick Saban Upset With Oregon Ducks' College Football Playoff Path vs. Ohio State

MORE: Why Oregon Ducks 5-Star Quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele Entering Transfer Portal

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Takes Blame For Loss To Ohio State Buckeyes

MORE: Peyton Manning Addresses Bo Nix's Future With Denver Broncos, Sean Payton

MORE: Oregon Ducks Receiver Evan Stewart Explains Injury, Absence vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Published |Modified
Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

Home/Football