Ohio State defeats Texas in a nail-biting Cotton Bowl, securing their spot in the College Football Playoff title game after a late defensive stand.
The enormous video screen inside AT&T Stadium displayed a Texas supporter incapable of articulating, unable to process what she had just witnessed.
Ultimately, she spoke.
“Good heavens (expletive),” she expressed, in a state of bewilderment, as Ohio State supporters celebrated.
That sequence of events just transpired.
A Texas offensive effort that progressed to the 1-yard line concluded with a Buckeyes touchdown heading in the opposite direction.
Match concluded.
Ohio State advances to the national championship contest.
Texas enters the offseason.
The Buckeyes did not render this 28-14 Cotton Bowl triumph effortless for themselves, yet Jack Sawyer extricated them from potential danger with a strip-sack of Quinn Ewers late in the fourth quarter.
Sawyer gathered the pigskin, rumbled for 83 yards, eliminated Texas’ opportunity to equalize the score, and guaranteed the victory for Ohio State.
Good gracious.
Ohio State demonstrates resilience, despite the absence of their dominant form
No dominant force manifested in this College Football Playoff semifinal, merely a team that displayed sufficient fourth-quarter resilience to repel Texas.
Within a 12-team playoff structure that necessitates Ohio State to secure four victories to claim the title, the Buckeyes would need to prevail in a contest without their premier offensive weapon.
This occasion marked that necessity.
Endure. Progress. Not every triumph warrants display in the Louvre.
Ohio State's initial two playoff victories evolved into symbols of excellence that repositioned the Buckeyes into a leading contender status.
This defeat of Texas did not constitute a stellar performance, yet it added another accomplishment to their record.
Buckeyes exhibit strength in the Cotton Bowl fourth quarter
Quinshon Judkins placed an index finger to his lips after achieving the go-ahead touchdown on a fourth-quarter rush.
Naturally, it couldn’t proceed without further challenge. Texas possessed one final response.
Aided by two Ohio State pass interference penalties, Texas stood merely 3 feet from a score that would tie the game. Ohio State maintained their defensive line on the initial down, before Texas opted for a risky toss sweep on the second down that the Buckeyes disrupted for a 7-yard loss. Following an incomplete pass on third down, Texas’ season culminated with Ewers needing to complete the most significant pass of his career.
He was prevented from releasing the pass. Sawyer ensured that outcome.
Notre Dame should derive encouragement from this evening. The Irish possess the capability to compete with this Buckeyes team in the national championship game. Conversely, Buckeyes supporters should find reassurance in the fact that Ohio State generated sufficient crucial plays in timely moments to overcome one of the nation’s elite defenses.
Indeed, this was not the identical Ohio State team that dominated Tennessee or overwhelmed Oregon, but, hush, because the Buckeyes prevailed against an adversary that simply refused to yield.
Disregard the Longhorns' superior seeding; this outcome aligns with expectations if you've observed the Buckeyes in the postseason – albeit perhaps not through the manner it unfolded.
The imposing force that appeared in the CFP’s initial two rounds did not manifest here. In its stead emerged a Buckeyes squad that possessed a response each instance Texas equalized the score.
Ohio State persevered through drive-halting penalties and an interception thrown by Will Howard.
During a shocking defeat to Michigan six weeks prior, Howard threw a second interception. Not on this occasion. Instead, he sprinted for 18 yards on a fourth-down draw that established Judkins’ go-ahead score.
Sawyer managed the remainder.
As the concluding seconds elapsed, Sawyer and coach Ryan Day celebrated on the sideline. Day patted Sawyer on the face, and the formidable defensive lineman, having recovered his breath from his extended run, smiled.
Good heavens, Buckeyes, you are heading to Atlanta.