During the Day era, Michigan has often been the Buckeyes’ kryptonite. While the Wolverines weren’t on the field this time, Texas running back Jaydon Blue played the role of spoiler for much of the game.
The junior running back was the Longhorns’ most dangerous offensive weapon, exploiting a key vulnerability in Ohio State’s defense with a well-executed wheel route out of the backfield. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian orchestrated the play beautifully, and quarterback Quinn Ewers capitalized on it twice for touchdowns.
In the second quarter, Blue hauled in a 19-yard touchdown on a perfectly placed pass that sailed just over the outstretched arms of Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. Later, in the third quarter, Texas struck again. With the Buckeyes sending an aggressive blitz—and surprisingly dropping defensive tackle Tyleik Williams into coverage—Blue was left wide open. He made them pay, sprinting 26 yards to the end zone for his second score of the day.
Blue’s performance was a bright spot for the Longhorns, as he led the team in both rushing and receiving, finishing with 75 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome Ohio State’s overall dominance.
Undisciplined Buckeyes
A glaring negative takeaway from this game was Ohio State’s inability to stay disciplined, repeatedly sabotaging their own efforts. The Buckeyes racked up nine penalties for 75 yards, significantly hampering their performance.
The trouble began early, with a rare unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against TreVeyon Henderson on their second drive while leading 7-0. A holding penalty derailed the third drive, and the next possession unraveled due to both a holding penalty and a false start, stalling any offensive momentum.
And that was just the first half.
On defense, while the officials generally let the teams play, the Buckeye secondary committed two consecutive defensive pass interference penalties in the end zone, giving Texas a first-and-goal opportunity when they trailed 21-14.
These weren’t questionable calls, either—Ohio State’s mistakes were clear and costly. If the Buckeyes hope to succeed against Notre Dame in their upcoming matchup, Ryan Day and his staff will need to address these issues and enforce greater discipline across the team.
Answering the Call
Heading into the Cotton Bowl, all eyes were on Jeremiah Smith. The standout freshman had delivered elite performances in Ohio State’s CFP matchups against Tennessee and Oregon, making him the focal point of Texas’s defensive strategy. By the end of the game, that plan proved effective—Smith was held to just three yards on a single catch.
But when one door closes, another opens.
Quarterback Will Howard showcased resilience throughout the night. He started strong, faltered in the middle, but finished on a high note. Howard completed 73% of his passes for 289 yards and a touchdown, though his performance wasn’t without blemishes. A costly interception on the first drive of the second half came as he locked onto Smith, missing a lurking linebacker underneath. Fortunately, other players rose to the occasion.
Carnell Tate reminded everyone of his potential with the defense keyed in on Smith. He led the Buckeyes with seven catches for 87 yards, five of which converted crucial first downs. Emeka Egbuka also made an impact, contributing 51 yards on five receptions. Yet, the true highlight came from TreVeyon Henderson.
After Texas seized momentum with a game-tying drive, Ohio State called a simple running back leak screen. Henderson did the rest, blazing down the field for a 75-yard touchdown in a play reminiscent of his freshman season debut against Minnesota in 2022.
On their final offensive touchdown drive, the Buckeyes leaned on creativity. On fourth down, a designed quarterback draw saw Howard break free for 18 yards. A chunk gain from Egbuka followed, and Quinshon Judkins powered through for the conversion before scoring two plays later.
While it wasn’t the most polished performance from Ohio State’s offense, it was effective. When it mattered most, the Buckeyes answered the call.
Mr. Ohio
The defining moment of the game—and one that will live forever in Ohio State history—came from Jack Sawyer’s fourth-down heroics. In a play reminiscent of former Buckeye Sam Hubbard’s legendary scoop-and-score in the 2023 NFL Wild Card against the Baltimore Ravens, Sawyer delivered the dagger. He hit Quinn Ewers, forced a fumble, recovered it, and raced 83 yards to the end zone, sealing the victory for the Buckeyes.
.@jacksawyer33 🤝 @Sam_Hubbard_
O – H! pic.twitter.com/gXf0pqPHP6— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) January 11, 2025
Buckeyes Rising
Jack Sawyer has been playing out of his mind during Ohio State’s CFP run, and he’ll be a key figure once again against Notre Dame. His defensive counterpart, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, also delivered a standout performance despite battling an ankle injury. Tuimoloau recorded seven tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, and two-and-a-half tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Sonny Styles, despite being targeted on Jaydon Blue’s touchdowns, led the defense with nine tackles and three tackles for loss.
This game marked only the second time all season that Ohio State’s defense allowed more than 300 yards of offense. The contest was both closer than the final score suggested and not as close—depending on perspective. If the Buckeyes had eliminated their penalty woes, they would have cruised to a comfortable victory. Conversely, without two game-changing touchdowns, Texas might have emerged victorious.
Still, this defense appears ready for the challenge Notre Dame will bring. After the game, Sawyer offered a fitting quote for the season: “If you give us an inch, we’ll defend it.” The irony isn’t lost that the game’s pivotal moment—Ewers’ fumble and Sawyer’s scoop-and-score—occurred between two former roommates from Ewers’ brief stint at Ohio State.
Now, Sawyer and the Buckeyes are set to contend for the program’s ninth national title on January 20. Despite the narratives surrounding head coach Ryan Day, this marks Ohio State’s second National Championship game appearance in five years. Only Alabama and Georgia can claim the same consistency. The Buckeyes’ improbable CFP run continues, with one last chapter yet to be written.
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