ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - In a thrilling Cotton Bowl semifinal, Quinshon Judkins showcased his skills by scoring two touchdowns, while Jack Sawyer delivered a game-defining play with an 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown, leading Ohio State to a 28-14 victory over Texas. This triumph propels the Buckeyes (13-2) closer to their goal of capturing a sixth national title, as they aim to repeat their success from their previous championship win in the same stadium a decade ago.
With this victory, Ohio State earned a place in the national championship game, where they will face Orange Bowl champion Notre Dame on January 20 in Atlanta. The match marks a significant moment as the Buckeyes compete in the inaugural expanded 12-team playoff format, seeking to reclaim their status as champions.
Jack Sawyer's pivotal moment came late in the game when he tackled Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers during a fourth-and-goal situation from the 8-yard line. Sawyer managed to force a fumble, scoop up the ball, and run it all the way back for a touchdown with just 2:13 remaining in the game. This remarkable play not only sealed the victory for the Buckeyes but was also recorded as the longest fumble return in College Football Playoff history.
The backdrop of Sawyer's fumble return is particularly compelling, as he and Ewers were former roommates during their time at Ohio State before Ewers transferred to Texas. Ewers, who had previously guided the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal appearances, finds himself facing a long wait for Texas to secure another national title—a quest that has persisted for 20 years since Vince Young led them to glory in 2005.
Texas struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunity after scoring a touchdown seemingly swung momentum their way. They had advanced to the Ohio State 1-yard line, aided by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was tackled for a 7-yard loss, stalling their drive.
Judkins made a significant contribution for Ohio State, scoring a 1-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-14 with 7:02 left in the game. This touchdown came after quarterback Will Howard converted a crucial fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34, demonstrating the Buckeyes' offensive resilience. Howard completed 24 of 33 passes for 289 yards, accompanied by a touchdown and an interception, and performed admirably in the stadium where he previously led Kansas State to a win against an undefeated TCU team in the Big 12 championship two years prior.
Quinn Ewers ended the game with 23 completions on 39 attempts, totaling 283 yards along with two touchdown passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception. As speculation mounts about Ewers' potential entry into the NFL draft, this game may have marked his final appearance for the Longhorns.
The scoring opened early as Judkins found the end zone on a 9-yard run, suggesting a fast start for Ohio State reminiscent of their previous playoff games. However, subsequent possessions saw the Buckeyes unable to score for a stretch, a rarity given their prior dominance. Texas managed to tie the game just before halftime, with Ewers connecting with Blue for an 18-yard touchdown pass following a crucial fourth-and-1 conversion by backup quarterback Arch Manning.
As Ohio State and Texas battled, the latter even managed to tie the game at 14 with another touchdown by Blue late in the third quarter. This drive included a remarkable underhanded pass from Ewers to Wisner, demonstrating the quarterbacks' playmaking ability under pressure.
Looking ahead, Ohio State prepares for the national championship, while Texas anticipates a rematch with the Buckeyes scheduled for August 30, 2025, at Ohio Stadium. This upcoming encounter adds further intrigue to the already intense rivalry between these storied programs.
