Ohio State Advances to National Championship with 28-14 Cotton Bowl Win

ARLINGTON, Texas — Ohio State secured a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship with a 28-14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by Jack Sawyer‘s game-sealing 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown, stifled the Longhorns’ offense in a dominant second-half performance.

With 2:13 remaining in the game, Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on fourth-and-goal and sprinted down the field for the decisive score. The play capped a stellar defensive effort that held Texas to just 58 rushing yards and forced four sacks. Ohio State’s defense, which returned key players like Sawyer and J.T. Tuimolau this season, has been a cornerstone of their playoff run.

“It took me, like, three days to even leave the house after the Michigan loss,” Sawyer said postgame, reflecting on the team’s resilience. “But this means that much to all of us. We came back stronger.”

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard threw for 289 yards and one touchdown, while running back Quinshon Judkins added two rushing scores. The Buckeyes’ offense found its rhythm in the second half, including a crucial 88-yard drive capped by Judkins’ 1-yard touchdown run.

Texas, despite a strong start, struggled to sustain momentum. Ewers finished with 283 passing yards and two touchdowns but was under constant pressure from Ohio State’s defensive front. The Longhorns’ offensive line, one of the best in college football this season, faltered in critical moments, including Sawyer’s game-changing strip-sack.

Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 20, seeking their first title since 2015. The Buckeyes have now held two of the SEC‘s top offenses, Tennessee and Texas, to a combined 31 points in the playoffs.

“This is what we’ve been working for all season,” said Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. “Our defense stepped up when it mattered most, and we’re excited for the challenge ahead.”