What ever Ryan's day he told his team after the loss to Michigan that it obviously worked.
After calls to fire their coach after Thanksgiving because of their fourth straight loss to the Wolverines — and this one's worst — the Buckeyes will go to the national championship after Friday night's 28-14 loss. Cotton Bowl Classic beat Texas.
After Ohio State took a 21-14 lead with 7:02 to go (on a drive that included a huge 4th down conversion), Texas went down the field quickly to respond, especially in the quarter. of a 34-yard catch by Gunnar Helm. After a back-to-back defensive interception in the end zone, the Longhorns had a new layup coming down from the goal line. It was only a matter of time before the game was tied, but then, something scary happened in Texas.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) celebrates after the game during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Field. (Photos by Jerome Miron-Imagn)
After a first down, Quintrevion Wisner lost seven yards on second down, putting Texas in trouble. The third down fell incomplete, and on fourth down, Ewers lost a punt that was forced, and it was picked up, by Jack Sawyer, who took it 82 yards. one for hitting.
In what looked like another overtime game for the Longhorns, their season flashed before their eyes in the snap of a finger. Hoping for a miracle, Ewers threw the pick on his next car, and just like that, it was all over.
The Buckeyes got on the board first, scoring a touchdown after stopping Texas on 4th down. The Longhorns' offense was held up throughout the first half, but they tied the game with 29 seconds left in the half and headed into the locker room with the game tied at seven.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) catches a 75-yard touchdown and runs against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the AT&T Arlington, Texas in January. , 10, 2025. (Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
However, Ohio State was not. Immediately after the catch, Will Howard threw a pass to TreVeyon Henderson, who found blocks in front and marched 75 yards to the house, giving the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. in the dressing room. It's easy to pinpoint two plays that cost Texas their time, and hindsight is 20/20.
Both teams traded punts for most of the third quarter, but after just over three minutes, Ewers found Jaydon Blue for his second touchdown of the night, tying the game. game. But then came the Buckeyes' score to make it 21-14.
Before the game, it was revealed that Ewers was looking forward to playing in the NFL next year, so it will be interesting to see if his plans change.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) celebrates a sack of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) in the first quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. (Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Now, it will be against the eighth seed Buckeyes No. 7 Notre Dame on January 20 – get one point for extended play.
Like Ohio State, the Fighting Irish suffered an embarrassing loss this season, dropping a contest at home to Northern Illinois back in September. But, it has won 13 times since then.
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