Jack Sawyer’s Heroic Scoop-and-Score Sends Ohio State to CFP Final

ARLINGTON, Texas – Jack Sawyer delivered a moment for the ages Friday night, propelling Ohio State to the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship with a game-changing play against Texas in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The defensive standout turned a nail-biting fourth-and-goal into an 83-yard scoop-and-score that sealed the Buckeyes’ 28-14 victory and their place in the title game against Notre Dame.

As a boy growing up in Columbus, Sawyer dreamed of donning the scarlet and gray and making history. That dream became reality when he rushed past Texas tackle Cameron Williams, blindsided quarterback Quinn Ewers—his former Ohio State roommate—and recovered the loose ball, sprinting into Buckeye glory. “I almost blacked out when I saw nothing but green grass,” Sawyer recounted after the game.

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Ohio State head coach Ryan Day summed up the play’s significance: “You want to leave a legacy? You become a legend. Jack just became a legend at Ohio State.”

For Sawyer, the journey to this moment was fueled by unfinished business. Opting to forgo the NFL after a disappointing 2023 season, he returned for his senior year with one goal: redemption. “Walking through the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and seeing all those championship banners—it eats at you when you haven’t added to that legacy,” Sawyer shared.

The Buckeyes’ seniors, including Sawyer, got their chance in this expanded 12-team playoff format. Though Ohio State fell short in key moments earlier in the season, including a bitter loss to Michigan, their resilience paid off.

The game wasn’t without drama. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers led the Longhorns to the Buckeye 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter. But a pivotal tackle by safety Lathan Ransom pushed Texas back, setting the stage for Sawyer’s historic play.

Sawyer’s scoop-and-score was the longest in CFP and Cotton Bowl history, an achievement that will forever be etched in Buckeyes lore. As he celebrated with teammates and fans, he reflected on the magnitude of the moment: “I love Columbus, I love the state of Ohio, and I love Ohio State football. Playing for a national championship in my final year is a dream come true.”

Now, with just one game left, Jack Sawyer and the Buckeyes are one step away from claiming their first national title since 2014.