ARLINGTON, Texas — The Ohio State Buckeyes showcased their strength and resilience on Friday night, defeating the Texas Longhorns 28-14 at the Cotton Bowl to secure their place in the national championship game. The victory not only marked another monumental win for the Buckeyes but also sets them on the path to potentially claim their sixth title.
The game featured standout performances from several players, particularly Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, and Jack Sawyer, whose defining fumble recovery was returned for 83 yards, cementing the victory for Ohio State.
This playoff semifinal took place at AT&T Stadium, where the Buckeyes had previously triumphed 10 years earlier during the inaugural College Football Playoff. The victory harkens back to Ohio State's championship legacy and energizes the team as they prepare to face Notre Dame on January 20.
Despite entering the game off the confidence from prior playoff victories, the Buckeyes encountered adversity early. They quickly surged to a 7-0 lead when Judkins plunged through for a 9-yard touchdown on their opening drive. But after their fast start, they struggled offensively, stalling on four straight possessions, allowing Texas to tie the game just before halftime.
With 29 seconds left until the break, Quinn Ewers hit Jaydon Blue for an 18-yard touchdown pass, drawing the Longhorns even at 7-7. The score was energizing for Texas, especially coming on the heels of Ohio State's most impressive play of the half — TreVeyon Henderson’s spectacular 75-yard touchdown on the very next play, showcasing Ohio State's explosive firepower as they regained the lead heading to halftime at 14-7.
Entering the second half, Texas appeared revitalized, rallying behind Ewers as they leveled the score at 14-14 with another touchdown pass to Blue. The Longhorns’ performance fueled their hope for victory, but Ohio State's defense held firm under pressure.
Ohio State responded with impressive drive-work, especially with quarterback Will Howard executing successful plays and keeping drives alive under pressure. When it mattered most, Judkins, who had carried the weight of expectations throughout the season, scored once again on a 1-yard rush, putting the Buckeyes back on top, 21-14, with just under seven minutes to play.
The defensive showdown reached its climax when Sawyer — who had roomed with Ewers during their time at Ohio State — struck. He executed the game-defining play, strip-sacking Ewers on fourth-and-goal from the Ohio State 8-yard line, picking up the ball and running untouched for the longest fumble return touchdown recorded in College Football Playoff history.
"I saw the ball pop out right to me after I tackled him. I was just thinking, ‘I’ve got to stay on my feet,’ because I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw a bunch of green grass ahead of me," Sawyer recalled, encapsulating the chaos and thrill of the moment.
With the score now at 28-14, Ohio State's defense continued to dominate, forcing Texas to relinquish their final possession after Caleb Downs intercepted Ewers. The Buckeyes maintained their powerful defensive presence throughout the game, limiting the Longhorns to only 58 yards rushing combined, effectively shutting down their ground game.
Ohio State's victory was steeped not just in numerical success but also emotional resonance, especially coming off their rivalry loss to Michigan when many wrote them off. Coach Ryan Day remarked, "About a month ago, lots of people counted us out. And these guys went to work,” reflecting on the team’s tenacity and commitment to win after facing criticism.
Now poised to face the Fighting Irish for the national title, the Buckeyes aim to capture their first championship since 2014. Judkins and Sawyer’s performances have earned them status as key figures, and excitement grows as Ohio State heads toward Atlanta for the showdown.
With Texas left to wonder what could have been, the Buckeyes relished the opportunity to solidify their legacy with hopes of future greatness, epitomized by Sawyer’s reflection on leaving a legacy: “We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend.” The Buckeyes have set themselves firmly on the path to do just this, as they prepare for their historic clash against Notre Dame.