By STEPHEN HAWKINSUpdated 12:54 AM EST, January 11, 2025Share
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter.
Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, giving the Buckeyes a shot at their sixth AP national title.
“We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend. And there’s some guys on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history,” coach Ryan Day said. “Now they get 10 more days together, and an opportunity to tell their story if they go win one more.”
Led by Ohio native Sawyer and Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, the Buckeyes (13-2) posted the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions when the College Football Playoff debuted with a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the first season with an expanded 12-team field.
Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion Notre Dame in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It could be quite a finish for the Big Ten Buckeyes after they lost to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.
Related Stories
Ohio State and Texas enter CFP semifinal at Cotton Bowl seeking a chance to end title droughts
Texas short again of opportunity to end title drought in what might have been finale for Ewers
Former champs Texas and Ohio State seek another title shot when they play in CFP semi at Cotton Bowl
Sawyer got to Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose before scooping it up and lumbering all the way to the other end zone with 2:13 left. It was the longest fumble return in CFP 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 said.
Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus for one semester before the quarterback transferred home to Texas. Ewers helped lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals, but next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.
“I felt him. I started drifting away, thought I was going to be able to get the ball off before he got there,” Ewers said. “I saw Jack running with the ball down the sideline. … Jack’s a good player made a great play.”
Texas had moved to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Ewers then threw a third-down incompletion while being pressured by Sawyer on the play before the defensive touchdown.
“He’s everything that we possibly ask for in a captain,” Day said. “To make a play like that in that moment … He just became a legend at Ohio State.”
Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left, capping an 88-yard, 13-play drive over 7:45. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted a fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that probably should have been a score.
“That fourth down was huge. … I fell on purpose. I’m joking,” Howard said. “A statement drive. We needed that.”
Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played his first game at AT&T Stadium since leading Kansas State to a win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 championship two years ago. He was 0-3 as a starter against the Longhorns while at K-State, including an overtime thriller in Austin last season.
Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time. It might have been his last play for the Longhorns since he could go into the NFL draft.
Texas won the Big 12 title last season before moving to the SEC.
Not so fast
The Buckeyes went ahead on their opening drive of the game when Judkins scored on a 9-yard run. It looked as if they could get off to another fast start, after jumping ahead 21-0 and 34-0 in their first two playoff games.
But Ohio State then punted on four consecutive possessions before Texas tied it at 7 on Ewers’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue with 29 seconds left in the first half. Arch Manning, the backup and future starting quarterback, kept that drive alive when he converted fourth-and-1 from midfield with an 8-yard keeper — his only play in the game.
Right after Texas’ first TD, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown, following a wall of blockers before shooting through an open gap and sprinting to the end zone.
Advertisement
A great escape
Blue had a tying 26-yard TD catch with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a terrific play by Ewers, who was being dragged down by Sawyer on third-and-10 when he managed to scoop the ball underhanded to Wisner for a 13-yard gain.
Up next
While Ohio State prepares for the CFP title game, Texas waits for a rematch with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in the previously scheduled 2025 season opener Aug. 30.
___
76ers rule rookie star Jared McCain out for the season following knee surgeryPhiladelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain will miss the rest of the season following left knee surgery last month on a torn meniscus.AP News
Michelle Obama doesn’t attend state funeral for Jimmy CarterFormer first lady Michelle Obama didn’t attend the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Except for Michelle Obama, all of the living former presidents and their spouses were at the funeral Thursday.AP News
Freddie Mercury and Slash Bundle (2) (Music Maniacs: Rock) 6″ Posed Figuresmcfarlanetoysstoreus
Advertisement:Buy now
Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: “These 5 Books Will Turn Your Life Around”Blinkist: Andrew Ng’s Reading List
Never Split the Difference: What a Former FBI Agent Taught Me About NegotiatingBlinkist Magazine
Aidan Hutchinson w/Alternative Jersey (Detroit Lions) Gold Label NFL 7″ Figure McFarlanes SportsPicksmcfarlanetoysstoreus
Advertisement:Buy now
Worst Toxic Foods for Dogs: the One Meat You Should Never Feed Your DogDog Food Discovery
Advertisement:Learn more
AI Bot Flips Wall Street on Its Head: Turns $1K into $50K in Record 30 DaysFX Market Insights
Advertisement:Read More
Renaissance Collection – Regular Fit 3 Piece Suit Camel – 52 Regular – 47 Waist / CamelRegular Fit 3 Piece Suit with Double-Breasted Vest Single Breasted 2 Button Blazer Side Vents Flat Front Pants, Un-Hemmed Bottoms for Alteration Ease Glen Plaid More Colors Available.Suits Outlets
Advertisement:Go !
Minn Kota Terrova Freshwater Trolling Motor w/Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar and Wireless Remote – 12V – 55-lb. Thrust – 45” ShaftWith its advanced GPS trolling system, Spot-Lock� mode, and advanced sonar system, the Minn Kota� Terrova� Freshwater Trolling Motor with Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar and Wireless Remote unlocks superior trolling control, and it helps you locate fish for more angling success. This incredibly popular GPS technology has been enhanced with exciting new modes. Drift Mode combats current and wind by automatically adjusting speed and direction to keep the boat on a true drift, eliminating the need for cumbersome ropes or shallow water anchor paddles. Dodge Mode lets anglers quickly leave auto navigation to manually steer through waves and around structures and then resume navigating without resetting their route. Minn Kota’s Follow-the-Contour functionality has been updated to allow for better LakeBass Pro Shops
Best Winter Hat I’ve Ever OwnedJoyhnny PolarDefender
Advertisement:Shop Now
Side Sleepers Get Achy Shoulders, Few Know This “Side Sleeper” Trickdreamyfoam.com
Advertisement:Learn More
Why Every Trainer Needs BlazePod in 2025BlazePod
Advertisement:Shop Now
Lamar Jackson repeats and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for AP All-ProLamar Jackson beat out Josh Allen, and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2024 NFL All-Pro Team.AP News
Jaguars QB Lawrence says ‘we need to get some juice back in this place’ with new coachEven though he was wearing a sling on his left arm, Trevor Lawrence was able to point plenty of fingers — most of them at himself.AP News
(Sale – 70% off)Handmade Cowhide Retro Boots Gift Orthopedic InsoleReliefFoot™
Advertisement:Shop Now
The Coolest Cars at the New York Auto ShowCar & Driver
Level Up Training in 2025 with BlazePod!BlazePod
Advertisement:Shop Now
Minnesota judge orders Mike Lindell’s MyPillow to pay nearly $778K to delivery service DHLA Minnesota judge has ordered MyPillow to pay nearly $778,000 for unpaid bills and other costs to package delivery service DHL, which had sued the company that’s synonymous with its founder, chief pitchman and election denier Mike Lindell.AP News
Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma and popular singer who became known over the second half of her life for her outspoken opposition to gay rights, has died.AP News
When should married couples file taxes separately?TurboTax
Advertisement:Learn More
Two Tier Swim Spa Keeps Selling Out (Take a Look)Two Tier Spa
Burnt out? Take These 3 StepsWharton Executive Education
Advertisement:Read More
Advertisement
Suggested For You
You Won’t Want To Take Off The Waterproof And Orthopedic Boot All Winter Longorthoture
:AdvertisementShop Now
I Started Doing This Every Morning, and My Husband Finds Me Irresistible!ExpertsInGettingSlim
:AdvertisementLearn More
Los Angeles: This $39.99 sweatshirt is taking California by storm!RILOEY CLEARANCE
:AdvertisementShop Now
Can You Comfortably Retire In Michigan?FinanceAdvisors.com
:AdvertisementLearn More
Advertisement
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
- The Associated Press
- More From AP News
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
