Ohio State's goal-line stand vs. Texas seals Cotton Bowl win, national title game berth

News 4 Las Angeles ^ | 1/10/2025 | Steven Hawkins

[mmichaels1970]

Quinshon Judkins ran for two touchdowns before Jack Sawyer forced a fumble by his former roommate that he returned 83 yards for a score with 2:13 left as Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night to advance to a shot for their sixth national title.

The Buckeyes (13-2) got the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions in the debut of the College Football Playoff as a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the debut of the expanded 12-team field.

[dfwgator]

I just think with Manning in there, the team would have responded. Kind of like when Saban lifted Hurts for Tua against Georgia.

[Lakeshark]

Manning for four run option plays would have tied it. Coaching mistake.

Pretty awesome game. Amazing stand by the Bucks. Kudos to them for the victory. First time in years they actually persevered and won a contested fourth quarter game.

[God luvs America]

Manning can’t throw the ball- he has a hitch in his delivery, stares down the target all the time and he’s late delivering passes- the OSU secondary (who did not play well last night) would’ve eaten him alive.

Ewers, who played well, gave them the best chance to win. Again- imo the Texas OT’s were terrible and have not played well the second half of the season. There’s a picture of Sawyer getting off the snap on the scoop and score- Cam Williams the RT is bent over at the waist- can’t block like that

[mmichaels1970]

They did??? They never lead the game at any point...

Yeah, but when they tied it at 0:29 left first half, they pushed right down the field. Luckily the Bucs had a great play to snuff it out to retake the lead. Second half seemed like Texas had the Bucs offense bottled up and had a field position advantage. The back to back Buckeye interference penalties in the end zone leading to first and goal from the 1. Defense ended up snuffing that out as well. Both of those drives felt like OSU was totally on their heels, til they weren’t.

[newfreep]

Obviously, JD’s X-post was a joke...but nice to see he has a sense of humor...and will be a GREAT #48.

[God luvs America]

OSU penalties were the only thing that kept UT in the game- whether is was PI penalties or stupid unsportman penalties- that does not equate to momentum being on the side of the Longhorns.

[mmichaels1970]

Yeah suppose you’re right. Attribute it to watching as a fan and not feeling comfortable about a win until that strip, scoop, and score. Probably a neutral observer would have been a lot less nervous about Texas pulling it out. Watching how the Texas-ASU game ended probably didn’t help.

[mmichaels1970]

Obviously, JD’s X-post was a joke

Yeah, and people on X were losing their minds over it. People are ridiculous.

[God luvs America]

it just shows how stupid people can be

[MotorCityBuck]

Thats Cool. Enjoy!

[MotorCityBuck]

LOL! Go JD!

[God luvs America]

Wonder where he was when is posted the tweet. It was late in the 2nd qtr at 9:06PM

[MotorCityBuck]

Great Post.

Agreed about Michigan and Nebraska Games. I was at the Nebraska game, and it was frustrating to watch to be sure.
As was posted earlier. If they win the Title it will go a long way to alleviate my anger at Day. :)

[God luvs America]

And everyone elses as well. Day should be grateful for the expanded CFP as it gave him a chance to redeem himself- which he has.

Had the 12 team CFP started this upcoming season Day is very likely on the unemployment line.

[MotorCityBuck]

+1

[dfwgator]

Along with James Franklin. He got lucky he got SMU and Boise State in his first two playoff games.

[FamiliarFace]

I think (hope!) Day is beginning to learn about being the head coach at Ohio State.

You can’t go into a game “expecting” to win, against any team, but especially TSUN. That was a set up for failure.

You have to play every down. You can’t get cocky. You have to grind out every inch on offense, and stand your ground on every inch on D.

If the Buckeyes can beat Notre Dame (and the refs and the bookies), then Day has another chance to prove that he is worthy of being the HC for OSU for another year.

I hope he can build a team next year that DOES beat the Wolverines.

[Hot Tabasco]

best NIL deals win.

The University of Michigan recently signed a 4 year deal with a HS senior QB from Belleville, MI, for between 10 and 15 Million $$$.

One of the financial sponsors was U of M Alum and Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

[FamiliarFace]

I have to say, I’m surprised that I’ve enjoyed watching the playoffs this season. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but I have. I guess deep down I always wanted to see what the other conference winners could do against the powerhouse conferences. Except for a few blowouts, they’ve been pretty good contests till the end.

[dfwgator]

The two semi-final games were good.

I wonder now with all of the Conference Champs losing their playoff games, how motivated teams will be to win them, if they know they are already in the playoffs.

I think we need to have more games involving top-notch teams during the regular season, so that you don’t have a situation where a team benefits from an easy schedule. Every team should at least play two games against top-level competition during a season.