Jack Sawyer became a legend at Ohio State on Friday night with his scoop and score at the expense of his former roommate.
On 4th and goal, Sawyer eluded blocks and forced a Quinn Ewers fumble, which Sawyer picked up and took 82 yards to the end zone to help the Buckeyes to a 28-14 victory over Texas and a berth in the national championship.
When Ewers spent his lone season in Columbus before transferring 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 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 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 bump Sawyer when they talked on the field.
“He walked off, he said ‘screw you’ and started laughing,” Sawyer told ESPN.
“That’s my boy. Obviously we were roommates when he was here. Got 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 stuffed on first down at the goal line, Quintrevion Wisner lost seven yards on a second-down throw, putting Texas in trouble. A third down fell incomplete. And Sawyer’s scoop and score happened on fourth down.
Defensive End Jack Sawyer (33) of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs back for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hoping for a miracle, Ewers threw a pick on the next drive, and just like that, it was all over.
Before the game, Ewers indicated that he expected 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 must meet no. 7 Notre Dame January 20 in the national championship. Despite Ohio State’s lower seed, sportsbooks have the Buckeyes favored by over a touchdown.
