A razor-thin margin often separates joy and heartbreak in sports, and Texas Longhorns fans are now feeling the bitter end of that divide. Meanwhile, for Ohio State Buckeyes supporters, joy reigns supreme. Thanks to defensive standout Jack Sawyer, the Buckeyes punched their ticket to the CFP National Championship with a dramatic Cotton Bowl semifinal victory.
When the stakes were highest, Sawyer delivered. With just 2:24 left on the clock, Texas faced a critical 4th-and-goal, trailing by one score. It was a defining moment for both teams. Enter Sawyer, who produced a game-winning play destined to live in Buckeye lore. The added drama? Texas QB Quinn Ewers, the target of Sawyer’s heroics, was once his roommate at Ohio State back in 2021 before Ewers transferred to Texas.
In a poetic twist, Sawyer sacked Ewers during the game’s final moments, forcing a fumble that he scooped up and returned 83 yards for a touchdown. The final score? 28-14, officially securing the Buckeyes’ spot in the championship game. After the game, the former roommates exchanged some lighthearted banter to cap the unforgettable moment.
But Sawyer’s strip-sack-and-score wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment.
To honor his iconic play, Sawyer launched a new NIL clothing line. The “Scoop ‘N Score” collection, revealed through the NIL Store, features t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies celebrating the Buckeyes’ monumental win. Fans can purchase the merchandise at a 20% discount through the weekend, with a portion of proceeds going to charity.
The NIL Store is no small operation, representing over 18,000 athletes, including stars like Cooper Flagg and Paige Bueckers. Sawyer’s growing popularity is not only driving sales but also boosting his NFL draft stock, with analysts now projecting him as a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Sawyer’s impact in the Cotton Bowl wasn’t limited to his game-sealing play. He recorded three tackles and two pass breakups, further cementing his status as a defensive force. Yet, it’s that strip sack and 83-yard score against Ewers that will be etched into Ohio State history. Head coach Ryan Day put it best: “To make a play like that in that moment—and we talked about it before the game, do you want to leave a legacy behind and become a legend? He just became a legend at Ohio State.”
The Next Big Test for a New Legend
The Buckeyes are now gearing up for a titanic clash against Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship on January 20. With Ohio State’s top-ranked defense going head-to-head with Notre Dame’s formidable unit, fans can expect another unforgettable showdown.
The Fighting Irish boast an elite defense, ranking third in turnover differential and ninth in fewest yards allowed. But Ohio State stands tall as the nation’s best in points and yards allowed. With Sawyer firing on all cylinders, the Buckeyes appear poised for yet another legendary moment.
