ARLINGTON, Texas — Ohio State outlasted Texas 28-14 to win the Cotton Bowl and clinch their first trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship since 2014. The Buckeyes will face 7-seed Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 in search of their first national championship in a decade.
Texas got the ball to the edge of the goal line with only minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and had five plays to get it into the end zone. On a pivotal fourth down Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers dropped back to pass, but Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer strip-sacked Ewers and returned it more than 80 yards for a touchdown.
The Longhorns had one more drive, but Ewers threw an interception to safety Caleb Downs to end the game and send Ohio State to the national title game. Despite the offensive talent between these two programs, the defenses dominated the matchup. Texas forced an interception off quarterback Will Howard and sacked him twice. Ohio State posted nine tackles for loss and four sacks in the big win, including three tackles for loss from linebacker Sonny Styles.
Texas blanketed wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and held him to only three yards on three targets. In his place, Carnell Tate stepped up with seven catches for 87 yards. Three first half drives were derailed by penalties, but the Buckeyes made just enough plays to step up and win.
Ewers threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns in what is expected to be his final career game at Texas. Ultimately, the Longhorns leave for the second year in a row wondering what could have been.
CBS Sports was here throughout with updates, highlights and analysis. Read on below for takeaways from Ohio State’s dramatic win over Texas.
