Ohio State advances to the College Football Playoff national championship game with a decisive 28-14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. Quinshon Judkins led the charge with two rushing touchdowns, while Jack Sawyer made a spectacular play by forcing a fumble from his former roommate, Quinn Ewers, which he returned for an impressive 83 yards, sealing the game with just 2:13 remaining.
The Buckeyes (13-2) celebrated this semifinal triumph in the same stadium where they claimed their first title in the inaugural College Football Playoff ten years ago. Now, they stand on the brink of another championship opportunity, this time in the newly expanded 12-team playoff format.
Next up for Ohio State is a matchup against the Orange Bowl champions, Notre Dame, scheduled for January 20 in Atlanta. This game promises to be a thrilling clash between two storied programs.
Sawyer’s pivotal play occurred during a critical fourth-and-goal situation, where he tackled Ewers at the 8-yard line, forcing the fumble that led to the longest fumble return in CFP history. His swift recovery and run showcased not only his athleticism but also the intensity of the game.
Interestingly, Ewers and Sawyer shared a brief period as roommates in Columbus during Ewers’ semester at Ohio State before he transferred to Texas. Ewers has since helped the Longhorns (13-3) reach consecutive CFP semifinals. However, the Longhorns face a lengthy wait for their next title, marking 20 years since their last championship win with Vince Young in 2005.
Texas made a strong push to score, reaching the 1-yard line aided by two pass-interference calls in the end zone. However, the Buckeyes’ defense held firm, stopping Quintrevion Wisner for a 7-yard loss, which proved crucial in maintaining their lead.
Judkins’ 1-yard touchdown run extended Ohio State’s lead to 21-14 with 7:02 left on the clock. This score came just after quarterback Will Howard converted a critical fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a remarkable 18-yard run that brought them closer to the end zone.
Howard’s performance was notable, completing 24 of 33 passes for 289 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception. On the other side, Ewers finished the game with 23 completions on 39 attempts for 283 yards, throwing two touchdown passes to Jaydon Blue, but also faced the challenge of an interception as Texas sought to rally in the final moments.
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