DALLAS (AP) — Ohio State avoided a bowl-game letdown after being snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee.
Damon Webb’s defense led to two touchdowns as the fifth-ranked Buckeyes downed No. 8 Southern Cal 24-7 in the Cotton Bowl. Webb returned an interception for a touchdown after his fumble recovery set up an early score.
The Trojans had four turnovers that led to 21 Ohio State points in what could have been sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold’s final game.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett ran for two touchdowns in his final game.
Ohio State was up 24-0 once Barrett ran 28 yards for a TD following the first of Darnold’s two fumbles. Darnold was sacked eight times overall.
The Buckeyes finished 12-2 and dropped the Trojans to 11-3.