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ARLINGTON, Texas — The call came down from the Ohio State coaches’ booth. Not a play to be run, but a conclusion already made.
“Boy, they scored fast there,” Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles remembered someone saying from above on the headphones near the end of Friday’s College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal.
That was the mindset as Texas lined up first-and-goal from the Ohio State 1-yard line with just under four minutes to go. A tying touchdown to make it 21-21 seemed like a layup, a walk-in.
“They ain’t scored yet,” Knowles shot back to the coaches’ booth.
And, indeed, Texas didn’t. In front of their adoring fans in their home state with a national championship shot on the line, the Longhorns not only didn’t score — they were scored on.
The pride of Pickerington, Ohio, saw to it. They’re calling defensive end Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard scoop-and-score fumble return that sealed Ohio State’s 28-14 win the biggest defensive play in program history.
“Jack will never buy a drink again in the state of Ohio”
Ohio State OC Chip Kelly
It came after back-to-back pass interference penalties against Ohio State set up Texas at the one. It came after that precious yard to go. It came after at least one Ohio State coach assumed a score. It came after Texas was stuffed on first down, dropped for a seven-yard loss on second down, and threw incomplete on third down.
On fourth down? Sawyer time.
He came off the left edge and consumed Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, his old Ohio State roommate, more than he tackled him. The ball popped free, took one hop up into Sawyer’s arms, and the former five-star was on his way. The Buckeyes followed and are now one game away from a national championship.
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/they-aint-scored-yet-jack-sawyers-cotton-bowl-td-cements-pride-of-pickerington-as-ohio-state-legend/
Author : Dennis Dodd
Publish date : 2025-01-11 15:49:00
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