By STEPHEN HAWKINS
ARLINGTON — Quinshon Judkins ran for 2 touchdowns earlier than Jack Sawyer compelled a fumble by his former roommate that he returned 83 yards for a rating with 2:13 left as Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 within the Cotton Bowl on Friday night time to advance to a shot for his or her sixth nationwide title.
The Buckeyes (13-2) acquired the semifinal victory in the identical stadium the place 10 years in the past they had been champions within the debut of the Faculty Soccer Playoff as a four-team format. Now they’ve the chance to be the winner once more within the debut of the expanded 12-team subject.
Ohio State performs Orange Bowl champion Notre Dame in Atlanta on Jan. 20
Sawyer acquired to Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball unfastened and scooping it up earlier than lumbering all the way in which to the opposite finish. It was the longest fumble return in CFP historical past.
Ewers and Sawyer had been roommates in Columbus for the one semester the quarterback was there earlier than transferring house to Texas, and serving to lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals. However subsequent season shall be their twentieth since profitable their final nationwide title with Vince Younger in 2005.
Texas had gotten to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties ultimately zone earlier than Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss.
Judkins had a 1-yard landing for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left. That rating got here 4 performs after quarterback Will Howard transformed fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that was virtually a rating.
Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a landing and an interception.
Ewers completed 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball again one closing time.
