Jack Sawyer became an Ohio State legend Friday night with his scoop and score at the expense of his former roommate.
On fourth-and-goal, Sawyer evaded blockers and forced a Quinn Ewers fumble, which Sawyer scooped up and marched 82 yards to the end zone to help the Buckeyes win 28-14 over Texas and a berth in the national championship game. .
When Ewers spent his only season in Columbus before moving to Texas, Sawyer was his roommate.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) forcing a fumble during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 10, 2025. Sawyer returned the fumble for a touchdown and Ohio State won 28-14. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
So, Ewers couldn’t help but punch Sawyer when they talked on the field.
“He was walking away, said ‘fuck you,’ and started laughing,” Sawyer told ESPN.
“That’s my son. Obviously, we were roommates when he was here. I have a lot of respect for him and the rest of the Texas team.”
The Longhorns had a chance to tie the game, but a nightmare ensued. After being blocked on first down at the goal line, Quintrevion Wisner lost seven yards on a second down throw, putting Texas in trouble. A third pass was incomplete. And Sawyer’s scoop and score came on fourth down.
Defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) of the Ohio State Buckeyes recovers a fumble for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington , Texas. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hoping for a miracle, Ewers hit a spike on the next drive and, just like that, it was over.
Before the game, Ewers hinted that he hoped to play in the NFL next season. So, it will be interesting to see if his plans change.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) celebrates after winning a College Football Playoff semifinal against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Now, the eighth-seeded Buckeyes will face No. 7 Notre Dame January 20 in the national championship. Despite Ohio State’s lower seed, sportsbooks have the Buckeyes as more than a touchdown favorite.
