The Ohio State Buckeyes won their eighth national championship earlier this year, following a powerful run through the College Football Playoff that culminated in an astounding 34-23 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Despite some regular-season concerns, head coach Ryan Day recently stated that there was a point during the playoffs when he recognized his Buckeyes were going to win the championship, and no one could stop them.
Per Ryan Day, Jack Sawyer’s Scoop and Score Changed Everything
After a regular season hurt by a tight 13-10 loss to archrival Michigan, Ohio State’s postseason prospects were bleak. However, the increased 12-team College Football Playoff structure gave the Buckeyes an opportunity.
That moment unfolded not in the championship vs Notre Dame, but in the Cotton Bowl semifinal against the fifth-seeded Texas Longhorns.
Seasoned defensive end Jack Sawyer strip-sacked Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers late in the fourth quarter, recovered the ball, and rushed 83 yards for a score on the opposite end, sealing a 28-14 victory.
In an interview with “The Triple Option” podcast, Day stated that this play confirmed his belief that Ohio State was headed for a championship run.
Ryan Day says he knew Ohio State was going to win the national championship after Jack Sawyer’s Scoop n’ Score
(@3xOptionShow) pic.twitter.com/WmA5O2Gj9S
— Woody (@woodyVSworld) February 19, 2025
Ohio State then moved on to the national championship game, securing a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame and capping a historic victory for Day and the Buckeyes. This win not only muted critics but also sealed Day’s status in Ohio State history.
KEEP READING: ‘On to the Next One’ — Ohio State HC Ryan Day Already Locked In for 2025 CFB Season
As Ohio State celebrates its historic glory, the turning point in the Cotton Bowl highlights the team’s persistence and Day’s unwavering trust in their abilities.
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