Ohio State vs Texas: Box score, stats and summary feat. Quinn Ewers (Cotton Bowl Classic, CFP Semifinal)
The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, advancing to the national championship game where they will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game saw a strong performance from Ohio State, particularly in the fourth quarter, to secure a 28-14 victory.
Game Summary
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs against Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes started strong, scoring in every quarter of the first half, while Texas managed to find their footing in the second quarter. At halftime, Ohio State led 14-7. In the third quarter, Texas tied the game, but Ohio State took control in the final period to pull away and secure the win.
1st Quarter:
7:24: Quinshon Judkins opened the scoring for Ohio State with a 9-yard touchdown run, completing a 10-play, 64-yard drive.
Score: Ohio State 7, Texas 0.
2nd Quarter:
0:29: Texas tied the game with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Jaydon Blue, concluding a 7-play, 59-yard drive.
0:13: Ohio State responded immediately with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Will Howard to TreVeyon Henderson on a single-play drive.
Halftime Score: Ohio State 14, Texas 7.
3rd Quarter:
3:12: Texas tied the game again with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ewers to Blue after a 12-play, 67-yard drive.
Score: Ohio State 14, Texas 14.
4th Quarter:
7:02: Ohio State regained the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Judkins, capping a 13-play, 88-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes.
2:13: Jack Sawyer sealed the victory for Ohio State with an 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown after Texas’ drive ended with a costly turnover.
Final Score: Ohio State 28, Texas 14.
Box Score:
Ohio State Performance:
Passing: Will Howard went 24/33 for 289 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. His longest pass was a 75-yard touchdown.
Rushing: The Buckeyes totaled 81 rushing yards, with Judkins scoring 2 touchdowns.
Receiving: The receiving corps, led by Carnell Tate and TreVeyon Henderson, amassed 289 yards. Henderson’s 75-yard touchdown reception was the highlight.
Defensively, Ohio State recorded 4 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and forced 3 fumbles, recovering 1. Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard fumble return was the defensive highlight of the game.
Texas Performance:
Passing: Quinn Ewers completed 23/39 passes for 283 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Rushing: Texas struggled to establish the run, managing only 58 yards on 29 attempts.
Receiving: Jaydon Blue stood out with 2 touchdown receptions and 59 yards on 5 catches.
Texas’ defense managed 2 sacks and forced 1 turnover but could not contain Ohio State’s offense in the critical moments.
Key Takeaways:
Ohio State’s ability to control the clock and force turnovers in crucial moments made the difference. Their strong fourth-quarter performance, both offensively and defensively, ensured their
spot in the national championship game against Notre Dame.
