The Cotton Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, ended in a 28-14 victory for Ohio State over Texas. The turning point came when Texas, trailing by a touchdown, failed to convert a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Texas’ first attempt, a run up the middle, was stuffed by Ohio State’s defense. On the second down, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian called a toss sweep off left tackle, which Ohio State’s defense had well-covered. Safety Caleb Downs quickly entered the backfield, and although Texas ball carrier Quintrevis Steadman initially evaded Downs, he was eventually tackled 7 yards behind the line by safety Lathan Ransom.
The unsuccessful toss sweep led to a third-and-8 situation, significantly reducing Texas’ chances of scoring. Two plays later, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer sealed the win with a strip-sack of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, recovering the fumble and scoring an 83-yard touchdown.
Sarkisian attributed the failed sweep to blocking issues, while Ohio State players credited their film study for preparing them for the play. The loss highlighted the challenges of play-calling in high-pressure situations, where even experienced coaches like Sarkisian can face criticism for their decisions.
