Jack Sawyer’s Heroic Play Sends Ohio State to the National Championship

As confetti rained down, Jack Sawyer stood in the middle of the field, arms raised and eyes closed, soaking in a moment he had dreamed of since he was a kid tossing a football in his Columbus backyard. On Friday night, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, that dream became a reality.

Sawyer’s unforgettable scoop-and-score sealed Ohio State’s 28-14 win over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal, punching the Buckeyes’ ticket to the national championship game against Notre Dame.

With just over two minutes left, Texas was knocking on the door at fourth-and-goal, aiming to tie the game and force overtime. But Sawyer had other plans. Exploding past Texas right tackle Cameron Williams, he blindsided quarterback Quinn Ewers—his former roommate at Ohio State—and forced a fumble. As the ball bounced free, Sawyer scooped it up and raced 83 yards for a touchdown, leaving nothing but green turf behind him.

“I almost blacked out when I saw nothing but open field,” Sawyer said, grinning after the game.

That play didn’t just end Texas’ season—it cemented Sawyer’s place in Ohio State lore.

“To make a play like that in that moment…you want to leave a legacy? He just became a legend at Ohio State,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day told ESPN, embracing Sawyer on the field.

One Last Ride, One Iconic Moment

This is exactly why Jack Sawyer came back for his senior year. After enduring three straight losses to Michigan, no Big Ten championships, and no national titles, Sawyer and several fellow seniors turned down the NFL draft for what they called “one last ride.” For Sawyer, the disappointment of last season’s Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri made it impossible to walk away.

“I couldn’t leave Ohio State like that,” Sawyer said over the summer. “Walking through the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center], seeing all those championship banners, knowing I hadn’t been part of one—it ate at me. I wanted to change that.”

That hunger drove Sawyer to stay, but his journey this season wasn’t without heartbreak. Six weeks ago, he intercepted Michigan quarterback Davis Warren at the goal line, only to watch Ohio State squander the opportunity and lose 13-10. As Michigan celebrated on the Buckeyes’ home field, Sawyer couldn’t hold back, charging in to rip down the Wolverines’ planted flag. The incident led to a chaotic melee and headlines that added fuel to the rivalry fire.

But the expanded 12-team playoff gave Sawyer and the Buckeyes one more chance. Friday night, he made the most of it.

The Play That Defined a Season

After Ohio State took a 21-14 lead, Texas mounted one last charge, reaching the Buckeyes’ 1-yard line. On second-and-goal, safety Lathan Ransom dropped Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner for a 7-yard loss on a gutsy sweep play. Two plays later, facing fourth-and-goal, Ewers thought he had time to deliver a strike—but Sawyer arrived before the ball could leave his hand.

“It’s not like I tried to hand him the game,” Ewers said after the loss. “He’s just a great player who made a great play.”

Sawyer’s 83-yard fumble return was the longest in both CFP and Cotton Bowl history. As the Buckeyes celebrated, Day leapt into Sawyer’s arms, calling him the heart and soul of the team.

“I don’t know if there’s a guy who loves being a Buckeye more,” Day said. “This is someone who’s always wanted to be here, always wanted a moment like this. Seeing him get it was incredible.”

A Legacy in the Making

For Sawyer, Friday’s heroics are part of a bigger mission: bringing a national championship back to Columbus. While he and Day acknowledged the magnitude of the semifinal victory, they were quick to point out that their work isn’t done yet.

“The resiliency of this team has been incredible,” Sawyer said. “After the Michigan game, we heard a lot of talk about how we were finished. But we kept swinging.”

That resilience, coupled with Sawyer’s playmaking ability, has brought Ohio State to within one game of their first national title since 2014. For Sawyer, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream.

“I love Columbus, I love the state of Ohio, and I love Ohio State football,” Sawyer said. “To play for a national championship in my last year here—it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Ohio State’s journey isn’t over yet, but one thing is certain: Jack Sawyer’s name is already etched into Buckeye history.