The Party's Over: Ohio State 24, USC 7

Fans stroll among the confetti following the celebration of Ohio State's win

   Ohio State won in convincing fashion, 24-7, over USC. There was no scoring in the second half, thanks to a stingy Buckeyes defense.
   Time and again, USC would begin to gain momentum, only to be thwarted by a sack or heavy pressure from the Ohio State defensive line. The Buckeyes registered eight sacks.
   USC was 1-of-4 on trips inside the Ohio State 20 yard line. The Trojans committed four turnovers, several of them caused by the Ohio State pass rush.
   Amazingly, USC outgained Ohio State, 413 yards to 277. USC also had 23 first downs to just 13 for Ohio State. But Ohio State's defense turned up the intensity when it got close to its own end zone, and the Buckeyes offense often worked with short field thanks to USC turnovers.
   "Our defensive line won that game," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. "That quarterback (USC's Sam Darnold), I have a lot of respect for him, but the best way to disrupt a quarterback is get after him, and we did."
   Darnold, who has been predicted to go in the top two picks if he declares for the NFL draft, was 26-of-45 passing for 356 yards with one interception.
   Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was 11-of-17 passing for 114 yards and was sacked three times. Barrett also ran 16 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns.