The fifth-ranked Ohio State football team ended its season on a high note on Friday night, beating No. 8 USC 24-7 in the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas.
What follows is a running recap of the Buckeyes' 2017 campaign, complete with highlights, analysis and score updates.
Fourth quarter
13:03: Ohio State 24, USC 7: USC misses a 28-yard field goal, as it looks like Ohio State has this game in hand.
Third quarter
5:03: Ohio State 24, USC 7: Buckeyes defense holding up, the latest example being Sam Hubbard dropping Sam Darnold on 3rd & 9 to force a Trojans punt, setting up an Ohio State drive at its own 15.
Second quarter
Halftime: Ohio State 24, USC 7: Strong half for the Buckeyes, who managed to take advantage of USC's 3 turnovers. USC's only score comes as the result of an Ohio State muffed punt.
1:59: Ohio State 24, USC 7: USC gets on the board when a Ronald Jones II 1-yard touchdown run following a K.J. Hill muffed punt helps set up the Trojans first score.
5:27: Ohio State 24, USC 0: A 28-yard J.T. Barrett touchdown run adds to the Buckeyes' advantage, seemingly seeling the game before halftime.
6:12: Ohio State 17, USC 0: Tyquan Lewis helps force a Sam Darnold fumble, which is recovered by Jerome Baker. Ohio State takes over at its own 41.
14:42: Ohio State 17, USC 0: A Damon Webb pick-6 of Sam Darnold puts Ohio State up three scores.
14:55: Ohio State 10, USC 10: A 26-yard Sean Nuernberger field goal puts Ohio State up two scores.
First quarter
End of the quarter: Ohio State 7, USC 0: Ohio State preparing to attempt a 26-yard field goal.
6:33: Ohio State 7, USC 0: An Ohio State drive comes to an end when Uchenna Nwosu sacks J.T. Barrett. A Drue Chrisman punt sets up a USC drive at its own 38-yard line.
12:25: Ohio State 7, USC 0: A J.T. Barrett pass to Marcus Baugh and a 5-yard J.K. Dobbins run sets up a 1-yard Barrett touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 7 early.
13:37 Ohio State 0, USC 0: Ohio State safety Damon Webb recovers a fumble by Deontay Burnett and returns it 22 yards to set up the Buckeyes' first drive at the USC 19-yard line.
Pregame
Reports out of Texas indicate Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward is not on the field for warmups and likely won't play.
