Ohio State Defeats Texas to Reach Championship

Ohio State's football team secured a 28-14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl, but head coach Ryan Day expressed concerns about the team's nine penalties totaling 75 yards, which he deemed 'self-inflicted wounds.' Day emphasized the need for improved efficiency and discipline as they prepare to face Notre Dame in the National Championship Game. The coaching staff is particularly focused on the limited involvement of star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, attributing it to execution issues rather than strategic decisions. Additionally, cornerback Denzel Burke missed significant time in the Texas game due to an upper extremity issue but will be available for the championship matchup. With the team needing to minimize mistakes, Day noted that several drives were lost to penalties, which could prove detrimental against a strong Notre Dame team known for capitalizing on turnovers. Ohio State aims to correct these issues ahead of the title game to secure their first championship in recent years.