Jack Sawyer’s emotions were on full display earlier this season after Ohio State suffered their fourth consecutive loss to Michigan. Following the defeat, Sawyer passionately vowed, “They’re not f—— planting a flag on our f—– field again,” a moment that required teammates to restrain him. However, the sting of that loss has been eased by a significant Cotton Bowl victory, with even a former Michigan standout commending Sawyer’s remarkable performance.
Michigan’s National Championship-winning quarterback and first-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. McCarthy, offered his support for Sawyer through social media. On January 12, McCarthy shared a video on his Instagram story of Sawyer recounting his thoughts during a pivotal play. Sawyer humorously commented, “S— I guess just don’t fall like Will did,” referencing a past incident, before laughing. McCarthy, too, seemed amused, adding a caption that read, “All jokes aside, proud of you fam @jacksawyer40.”
The Cotton Bowl victory marked a turning point for Ohio State. Facing Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Sawyer delivered a performance for the ages. With two minutes left in the game and Texas trailing 14-10, the Longhorns had a chance to score on a fourth-and-goal at Ohio State’s 1-yard line. The Buckeyes’ defense held strong, denying Texas the opportunity. Moments later, Sawyer sacked Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers—his former college roommate—forcing a fumble that he recovered and returned 83 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. The play secured a 24-14 victory for Ohio State and earned Sawyer the Defensive Most Outstanding Player award.
Ohio State’s defense was instrumental in their Cotton Bowl triumph, shutting out Texas in the second half and limiting their scoring to just 14 points. The Buckeyes’ offense also impressed, led by quarterback Will Howard, who threw for 289 yards and a touchdown despite playing with an injury to his non-throwing hand.
The win provided redemption for Ohio State, which had narrowly missed advancing to this stage in the previous two seasons. It also dealt a significant blow to the SEC, eliminating their presence in the CFP semifinals for a second consecutive year. With this victory, Ohio State now sets its sights on a national championship rematch against Alabama’s 2021 conquerors. This time, the Buckeyes will face Notre Dame, coached by Marcus Freeman, who defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl semifinal.
Ohio State’s impressive playoff performance positions them as strong contenders for the national championship. However, the question remains: Did Jack Sawyer’s heroics against Texas signify a shift in Ohio State’s fortunes, or does Michigan remain their biggest challenge? Fans and analysts alike are debating whether this victory can truly erase the sting of four straight losses to their archrivals. Regardless, Sawyer’s standout performance has undoubtedly re-energized the Buckeyes and their supporters as they prepare for the next challenge.