Jack Sawyer’s incredible fumble return for a touchdown secures Ohio State’s victory.
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer once shared a home with Quinn Ewers, but on Friday, he earned a permanent spot in the Texas quarterback’s mind. Sawyer stripped the ball from his former roommate and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown, securing the Buckeyes’ place in the college football national championship game.
Sawyer’s game-changing play came late in the fourth quarter of Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, capping an unforgettable goal-line stand. With Ohio State leading 21-14 after a tough run by Quinshon Judkins, Texas threatened to tie the game in a back-and-forth battle that had fans on edge. The Longhorns drove to Ohio State’s one-yard line, setting up four chances to punch in the tying score.
Ohio State’s defense, ranked No. 1 in the nation, rose to the occasion. On first down, Jerrick Gibson was stopped for no gain. On second down, a wide pitch to Quintrevion Wisner lost seven yards, electrifying the scarlet-and-gray crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. On third down, Ewers’ pass attempt was deflected and fell incomplete.
Then, on fourth down, Sawyer delivered the decisive moment. Breaking free from his blocker, he chased down Ewers as the quarterback scrambled left, searching for an open receiver. Instead, Sawyer knocked the ball loose, shoved Ewers to the ground, scooped up the fumble, and sprinted untouched to the end zone. His touchdown put the Buckeyes ahead 28-14, sealing the victory.
“I was just in the right spot thanks to the coaches,” Sawyer told ESPN after the game. “When I saw the ball pop out, I thought, ‘Stay on your feet.’ Honestly, I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw nothing but green grass ahead.”
On the other side, Ewers summed up his disappointment: “It sucks, man. It’s hard. All the work we put in, making the final four two years in a row and falling short again—it’s tough.”
Sawyer’s legendary play punctuated a remarkable postseason turnaround for Ohio State. After a crushing loss to Michigan on November 30—their fourth straight defeat to their archrival—Buckeye fans faced a crisis of confidence. Calls for head coach Ryan Day’s firing grew louder, and there were fears that Tennessee fans might overwhelm Ohio Stadium during the first playoff round.
But with Friday’s victory, Ohio State silenced the doubters and earned a chance at redemption in the national championship game.
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