Rose Bowl 2022: Stroud, Smith-Njigba lead Ohio State over Utah in game filled with fireworks

Utes Corey Rau, #80, can’t control this pass as Kourt Williams II, #12, defends on the play during first half action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Buckeyes Tyler Wegis, #12, is taken off the field after an injury during first half action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utah cheerleaders at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utah’s mascot waves to the B2 bomber as it passes over the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utes C.J. Stroud, #7, runs with the ball as Buckeyes Tommy Eichenberg, #35, can’t make the tackle during first half action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba, #11, scores as Utes Kenzel Lawler, #2, can’t make the play during second quarter action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Buckeyes Josh Proctor, #41, scores for the Buckeyes as Utah’s Michah Bernard can’t make the tackle during second quarter action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utah Fans celebrate a Touchdown at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utes Britain Covey, #18, scores as Buckeyes Jaylen Johnson, #25, and Ronnie Hickman defend on the play during first quarter action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Utes Cole Bishop, #6, recovers a fumble from Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba, #11, during second quarter action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Buckeyes Emeka Egbuka, #12, pulls in this pass for a TD as Utes, Malone Mataele defends during first half action at the Rose Bowl Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Ohio State Buckeyes band performs prior to the 108th Rose Bowl game between the Utah Utes and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Defensive end Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is called for targeting after a hit on quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes scrambles for a first down against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Running back Micah Bernard #2 of the Utah Utes runs for a first down against defensive end Tyreke Smith #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Wide receiver Solomon Enis #21 of the Utah Utes catches a pass for first down against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

RTunning back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Offensive lineman Josh Fryar #70 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hands off against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Utah Utes ban performs against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scrambles for yardage against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for first down against linebacker Nephi Sewell #1 of the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Utah Utes fans hold up signs against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is hit by the Utah Utes defense in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Running back Micah Bernard #2 of the Utah Utes reacts with quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes* after a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Utah Utes fan cheer against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Utah Utes fan cheer against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Wide receiver Britain Covey #18 of the Utah Utes returns a kick for atouychdwon against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Safety Cole Bishop #6 of the Utah Utes reacts after a fumble by wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Cornerback Clark Phillips III #8 of the Utah Utes knocks away a pass intended for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes is asked by the Ohio State Buckeyes defense in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Safety Cole Bishop #6 of the Utah Utes recovers a fumble by wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes scrambles for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Safety Lathan Ransom #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is carted off the field after injury against the Utah Utes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes reacts after running for a 62 yard touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Quarterback Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes runs for a 62 yard touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half of the 108th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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PASADENA — Quarterback C.J. Stroud’s return to Southern California was successful after leading Ohio State to a stirring 48-45 victory over Utah in the Rose Bowl.

The Rancho Cucamonga alumnus threw for 572 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. Receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba complemented Stroud’s effort, finishing with 15 receptions for 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba’s receiving total set an FBS record while Stroud’s six touchdown passes set a Rose Bowl Game record in front of a pro-Utah crowd of 87,842. The receiver was named the game’s MVP.

“It’s emotional for me,” said Stroud, from nearby Rancho Cucamonga. “It’s like I’m dreaming right now. I was able to come home and win the Rose Bowl like this. … This is the Rose Bowl, man. This is where the legendary games are being played.”

“We built that connection probably all the way back when we came in as freshmen together,” said Stroud, who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting this year. “We were throwing at the line the first day.

“This doesn’t surprise me at all. When I heard the numbers, I didn’t really notice because (Smith-Njigba) does this all the time.”

“It’s just a blessing,” Smith-Njigba said. “It’s not just me. I couldn’t have done it without (my teammates).

“I just try to take in every moment, every time the ball’s in the air. I feel like I did that today.”

Smith-Njigba took on a bulk of the targets from Stroud, after the Buckeyes’ second- and third-leading receivers, Garrett Wilson (70 catches, 1,058 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Chris Olave (65 catches, 936 yards, 13 TDs), opted out of the game and declared for the NFL draft.

Ohio State and Utah exchanged touchdowns throughout the game. Utah started strong and led through most of the contest, despite Ohio State’s offensive fireworks, but it was kicker Noah Ruggles’ 19-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that gave the Buckeyes the final edge.

The Utah defense got the best of Stroud early as the 11th-ranked Utes forced the Buckeyes to punt on their first two possessions.

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, from Newbury Park, led two touchdown drives and built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Rising completed a 19-yard pass to receiver Britain Covey and a 12-yard pass to running back Micah Bernard for the early scores.

Stroud settled in early in the second quarter, starting what would be six consecutive scoring drives between the two teams.

Stroud completed a 25-yard pass to freshman receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for the Buckeyes’ first touchdown, cutting into Utah’s lead with 14:17 left in the second quarter.

Harrison helped make up for Ohio State’s missing receivers, finishing with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns.

Rising and the Utes answered the Buckeyes’ score with a nine-play 79-yard scoring drive of their own to retake the 14-point lead.

Rising scrambled for a 16-yard gain on a keeper during the drive and running back Tavion Thomas scored a 6-yard touchdown run on the next play. Rising was unable to finish the game after hitting his head on the field in the fourth quarter.

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Stroud would throw the first of two long touchdown passes, on a quick two-play drive, in the second quarter to Smith-Njigba.

Utah’s Britain Covey added a score on special teams with a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown in between Stroud’s long touchdown passes to Smith-Njigba.

“I had an inkling that we might have a few opportunities in this game, just based off of sea level, how far he kicks it,” Covey said. “If you notice after that kickoff return, they started kicking it short, trying to kick it to our fullback.”

Utah’s loss snapped the team’s six-game winning streak and left the Pac-12 Conference 0-5 in bowl games. No Pac-12 team has won a bowl game since 2019.

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba on his record performance against Utah in the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/o6EN3rWn6h

— James H. Williams at Rose Bowl (@JHWreporter) January 2, 2022

The Ohio State Buckeyes are your 2022 Rose Bowl Champions. #RoseBowl @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/AJq3tEhWUx

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) January 2, 2022

OSU 48, Utah 45 Instant Rose Bowl Post Game Reaction. Stay tuned for more coverage. #RoseBowlReport @Utah_Football @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/WsfIc3T5JB

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) January 2, 2022

Ohio State wins the 2022 Rose Bowl Game 48-45 over Utah on New Year’s Day. Here’s my on field post game recap highlighting huge games from Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and QB C.J. Stroud. @PasStarNews @OhioStateFB #RoseBowlReport pic.twitter.com/rV3vEAvjaP

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) January 2, 2022

by
on January 2, 2022

Rose Bowl 2022: Stroud, Smith-Njigba lead Ohio State over Utah in game filled with fireworks

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