During Friday night’s telecast of the Cotton Bowl, former Ohio State quarterback-turned-college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit called linebacker Jack Sawyer’s fourth-quarter sack-turned-scoop-and-score one of the top four plays the program has experienced since the 1970s.
With Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers dropping back to pass on a fourth-and-goal snap from the eight-yard line, Sawyer sacked his former freshman roommate, and returned the fumble 81 yards for a touchdown, clinching a 28-14 victory in a CFP semifinal matchup at AT&T Stadium.
The play also helped propel the Buckeyes to the CFP championship game appearance versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
Sawyer, the first recruit of the Ryan Day era, wasn’t the only big winner for the Buckeyes. Transfer quarterback Will Howard entered Friday 0-3 versus the Longhorns. After Sawyer’s fumble return, Herbstreit commented on the emotion the usual-even-keeled Howard showed celebrating on the sideline. Howard, who suffered a first-half injury, but returned to finish the game, outdueled Ewers, who transferred from Ohio State in 2021.
X (Twitter) users reacted to one of the Buckeyes’ all-time most memorable goal-line stands …
Another goal line stand #GoBucks #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/AAofU6kj6Q
— Ty (@buckeye_fal) January 11, 2025
The Longhorns enjoyed a Texas-sized entry …
All business 🧳🤘#HookEm | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/8bkkqLpfSL
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 10, 2025
The Buckeyes entered AT&T Stadium with attitude …
Buckeyes have arrived 📍 pic.twitter.com/P0qTBefWWL
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 10, 2025
Ewers greeted former Buckeyes teammates during pre-game warm-ups …
Quinn Ewers says hello to a former Ohio State teammate #HookEm #CottonBowl pic.twitter.com/IYwOBBAZQd
— Darby Brown (@darbyjobrown) January 10, 2025
The Buckeyes started fast again. Capped by Quinshon Judkins’ 9-yard touchdown run, the Buckeyes completed a 10-play, 64-yard game-opening drive …
Ohio State walks down the field and Judkins takes it home pic.twitter.com/lOcaCD9SxJ
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 11, 2025
Dropped passes and missed opportunities haunted Texas throughout the first half, lowlighted by this drop by senior tight end Gunnar Helm …
Sark wants a TARGETING penalty on this? Come on?
That's a good hit!
It's ironic since #Texas actually DID get away w' a targeting vs #ArizonaState #HookEm #GoBucks #OSUvsTEx #CFBPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/6qtEMSJfpj— nflrefstats (@nflrefstats1) January 11, 2025
And this bungled attempt at a reception by Isaiah Bond. Why did the junior wide receiver jump? …
How is going…….. For the Horns😞 #GoBucks #hookem | #CFBPlayoff | #OSUvTEX pic.twitter.com/PRNC0W9PaN
— TEXAS BIMMER CLUB (@MyBMWM8_) January 11, 2025
Texas finally avoided mistakes and scored with 29 seconds remaining in the first half on Ewers’ 18-yard pass to running back Jaydon Blue …
DIME 🎯@TexasFootball x #CFBPlayoff
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/uYKAmRxzJY
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) January 11, 2025
One play later, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson caught a short pass and turned it into a 75-yard TD …
Texas tied this game with 29 seconds left in the first half.
One play later…
🎥 @espn pic.twitter.com/IdW0kOEJYV
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 11, 2025
Before the drive, the Longhorns were 0-for-7 on third-down conversions. Then, Ewers connected on an improvisational third-down pass for a first down to Quintrevion Wisner. Nine plays later, Ewers hit Blue for TD No. 2, tying the game at 14-all. The Longhorns were 4-for-4 on third down during the 12-play drive …
Jaydon Blue jukes Lathan Ransom in the open field
Touchdown Texas pic.twitter.com/IrzXB7CXA3
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) January 11, 2025
Judkins scored his second TD on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter, proving to be the winning score with 7:45 remaining …
Quinshon Judkins with his second score of the night! #GoBucks #HookEm #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/CV5V0037KU
— Wing T Weekly (@WingTWeekly) January 11, 2025
Sawyer, criticized for being a poor sport during the regular-season-ending loss to visiting Michigan, planted an “L” on the Longhorns. Howard was jacked up …
Will Howard was FIRED UP after Jack Sawyer's defensive TD 😤 pic.twitter.com/kv1QR6fTu8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2025
Final score: Ohio State 28, Texas 14 …
On to Notre Dame#CFBPlayoff#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/883X0O5wjk
— Some Guy From Ohio (@HOFcityChris) January 11, 2025
The national championship is set …
These NCAA playoffs have been amazing. So many great games & 7 & 8 seeds make it to the Natty. Congrats to all the teams, Players, & Coaches who basically work 365 days a year.
Good luck to Ohio State & Notre Dame in the Championship. https://t.co/1avfjI475v
— Coach George (@CoachGeorgeCRA) January 11, 2025
