Ohio State Advances to National Championship

In the Cotton Bowl semifinal, the Texas Longhorns faced a crucial first-and-goal from Ohio State's 1-yard line but failed to capitalize, ultimately losing 28-14. A controversial toss play call by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on second down resulted in a significant loss, pushing the Longhorns back to the 8-yard line. The decisive moment came when Ohio State's Jack Sawyer strip-sacked Quinn Ewers, returning the fumble for an 83-yard touchdown, effectively sealing Ohio State's victory. This win allows Ohio State to advance to the National Championship against Notre Dame. Despite the loss, Sarkisian praised his team's effort, highlighting the challenging nature of competitive sports. The defeat marked the second consecutive year Texas fell short of reaching the National Championship.