Ohio State Edges Texas 28-14, Advances to CFP Title Game
In a thrilling matchup at the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, Ohio State overcame mistakes and a strong defensive performance by Texas to secure a 28-14 victory. The win propels the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff (CFP) national title game, where they will face Notre Dame on January 20.
The game was a far cry from Ohio State’s dominant performances in the first two rounds of the playoffs, where they scored 42 and 41 points against Tennessee and Oregon, respectively. Texas’ defense proved to be a formidable opponent, limiting the Buckeyes’ explosive offense and forcing them to fight for every yard.
Quarterback Will Howard faced consistent pressure from the Longhorns’ defense, which employed a strategy of keeping everything in front of them and preventing big plays. The plan was largely successful, with Ohio State committing seven penalties for 70 yards, a significant increase from their previous two games.
Despite the challenges, the Buckeyes managed to jump out to an early lead, courtesy of a Quinshon Judkins touchdown run on their opening drive. However, mistakes and penalties plagued their subsequent drives, allowing Texas to tie the game nearing halftime.
In a momentum-shifting play, running back TreVeyon Henderson took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown, putting Ohio State back in front entering the break. The Buckeyes’ offense continued to struggle in the second half, but a crucial quarterback run by Howard on fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter kept a lengthy drive alive, ultimately leading to a score that gave Ohio State the lead.
Texas threatened to respond with a score of their own, but a heroic defensive play by Sawyer sealed the victory for the Buckeyes. Sawyer’s timely intervention proved to be the difference-maker in a game that was otherwise marked by defensive excellence from both teams.
With the win, Ohio State advances to the CFP national title game, where they will face Notre Dame on January 20. The Buckeyes will look to overcome their mistakes and capitalize on their opportunities to claim the championship.
