Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer is known for his expressive demeanor on the field, and during the College Football Playoff first-round game against the Tennessee Volunteers, he once again drew attention. This time, however, his teasing gestures toward the Tennessee bench during halftime have not been well-received by fans.
Sawyer’s Antics Draw Mixed Reactions
As the Buckeyes went into halftime leading 21-10, a video surfaced online showing Sawyer making taunting gestures toward the Volunteers’ sideline. His apparent confidence in Ohio State’s advancement to the next playoff round was evident, but fans on social media expressed disapproval.
Some of the reactions included:
“Dumb f**k didn’t learn his lesson,” one fan remarked.
“He’s so good at that before the game. Once the ball drops, he’s soft,” another commented.
“All dude does is talk lmao,” another wrote.
“Winners talk with their play. Losers just talk,” one fan added.
First Half Highlights
The game’s first half was an intense battle. Ohio State dominated the opening quarter, building a commanding 21-0 lead. The Buckeyes scored three touchdowns:
A 37-yard pass from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith.
A 1-yard rushing touchdown by Quinshon Judkins.
A 29-yard sprint to the end zone by TreVeyon Henderson.
Tennessee struggled early but managed to close the gap in the second quarter. The Volunteers scored a 36-yard field goal by Max Gilbert and a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Nico Iamaleava just before halftime.
Sawyer’s Bold Predictions and Rivalry Record
When Sawyer joined the Buckeyes in 2021, he confidently predicted a dominant era for Ohio State, including victories over their rival, the Michigan Wolverines. He stated at the time:
“I think the whole decade of the 2020s will be run by Ohio State. I wouldn’t be surprised if we won five, six, maybe even seven national championships. I know that sounds crazy, but that’s how much we believe in our coaching staff and each other
However, Ohio State has yet to defeat Michigan since Sawyer’s arrival, losing all four matchups during this span, including the 2024 regular-season finale (13-10). While Ohio State progresses in the College Football Playoff, they might take solace in the fact that defending cha
mpions Michigan failed to qualify.