Ohio State to compete against Notre Dame for National Championship Jan. 20

No. 6 Ohio State (13-2) had a back-and-forth duel with No. 3 Texas for three quarters before outscoring the Longhorns in the fourth quarter 14-0 in its 28-14 victory Friday in the 2024 College Football Playoffs Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

Ohio State will face No. 5 Notre Dame (14-1) in the 2024 CFP National Championship Jan. 20 (7:30 p.m.) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The Fighting Irish defeated No. 4 Penn State in the Capital One Orange Bowl 27-24 off of a last-second field goal on Thursday to advance.

OSU quarterback Will Howard completed 24-of-26 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Carnell Tate led the team in receiving with seven catches for 87 yards. Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins had a combined 15 rushing attempts for 78 yards and four catches for 97 yards. Henderson’s lone catch was right before halftime on a screen pass that went for 75 yards.

Linebacker Sonny Styles finished with team leading nine total tackles and three tackle-for-losses. Jack Sawyer finished the night with three tackles, one sack, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He recovered that fumble and returned it for an 83-yard touchdown.

The defense as a whole tallied 63 total tackles, four sacks, nine tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and seven pass break-ups. Safety Caleb Downs sealed the game with his fourth career interception.

First Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 7, No. 3 Texas 0)

Ohio State won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Texas started with the ball at its own 25 after kicker Jayden Fielding sent the kickoff out of the back of the endzone. Quinn Ewers completed his first pass to Juan Davis for a four-yard gain. Denzel Burke tackled him at the TEX29.

On second down, Quintrevion Wisner ran for a four-yard gain, setting up Texas at its own 33-yard mark. On third and two, Ewers found Matthew Golden on a 24-yard pass before being forced out at the OSU43 by Davison Igbinosun. Ryan Wingo rushed for a six-yard gain and was forced out of bounds by Denzel Burke at the OSU37.

Ewers attempted a pass up the middle but was batted down by Jack Sawyer. Wisner took a handoff on third down for a one-yard gain after being stopped by Cody Simon and Tyleik Williams. On fourth and three, Ewers had an incomplete pass intended for DeAndre Moore Jr, setting Ohio State at its own 36-yard line.

Quinshon Judkins started the Buckeyes’ first possession off with a rush to the right for a gain of five yards, bringing Ohio State to the OSU41. Judkins took another rush on second down up the middle for a gain of two yards. On third and three, quarterback Will Howard completed a pass to Emeka Egbuka for five yards, picking up the first down.

At the OSU48, Howard found wide receiver Carnell Tate for a 14-yard reception, advancing to the TEX38. Howard was seeking Jeremiah Smith downfield but was unable to complete the pass. Judkins took a rush on second and ten for a four-yard gain, setting the Buckeyes up at the TEX34. On third and six, Howard connected with Egbuka for an 11-yard pickup, setting Ohio State up at the TEX23. Howard then found Egbuka again on a 14-yard reception, getting to the TEX9. Howard attempted a pass intended for Tate but was dropped.

Judkins ran up the middle for a nine-yard touchdown giving the Buckeyes a 6-0 lead over Texas. Fielding made his extra point, extending the lead to 7-0. Fielding kicked off, sending the ball into the endzone.

Texas began its drive at the TEX25. On first down, Ewers was sacked by Tuimoloau for a loss of four yards. Ewers responded with a 15-yard completion to Moore Jr. and then completed a 22-yard pass to Wingo, setting Texas up at the OSU42. Ewers was hurried by Sawyer and Jordan Hancock which forced an incompletion. On second and 10 at the OSU39, Jaydon Blue ran to the right for a three-yard gain. On third and seven at the OSU39, Texas committed a false start, moving back to the OSU44. On third and 12, Tuimoloau and Ty Hamilton combined for a sack, causing Texas to lose four yards.

Michael Kern had a 40-yard punt that was fair caught by Brandon Innis at the OSU8. Howard started off the drive with a three-yard pass to Smith, then found Tate on a pass up the middle for a 13-yard pickup. On first and ten at the OSU24, Howard scrambled for a gain of two yards. TreVeyon Henderson ripped off a 22-yard gain, moving the offense up to the OSU48.

Howard then found Gee Scott Jr. on a 14-yard pass completion, moving into Texas territory at the TEX38. Henderson rushed for a one-yard gain up the middle, but the offense was moved back to the OSU48 after a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Howard rushed up the middle for a loss of two yards. To end the first quarter, Howard completed a five-yard pass to Judkins, advancing to the TEX49.

Second Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 14, No. 3 Texas 7)

Joe McGuire opened up the second quarter with a 40-yard punt, setting Texas up at the TEX25 following a 16-yard punt return from Silas Bolden. Wisner started off the drive for Texas with a one-yard rush after being stopped by Sonny Styles. Ewers completed a four-yard pass to Blue, advancing to the TEX28. During the play, Texas committed a facemask penalty, pushing them back halfway to the goal line at the TEX16.

Ewers completed a 10-yard pass to Moore Jr., getting back to the TEX24. Sonny Styles came crashing in on the next play, generating a sack that forced a fumble. Texas recovered the fumble for a loss of 10 yards, setting up at the TEX14. Kern booted a 51-yard punt, setting Ohio State up at the OSU34.

To start the drive, Howard completed a seven-yard pass to Tate on back-to-back plays, with the first for seven yards and the second for five setting Ohio State up at the OSU46. Howard was hurried, leading to an incomplete pass. Howard found Smith on a one-yard pass, but the offense was moved back 10 yards after a holding penalty.

On second and 20 at the OSU36, Howard connected with Will Kacmarek on a 12-yard gain, advancing to the OSU48. Howard tried to find Egbuka on a pass to the right but was dropped, forcing fourth down. McGuire sent away a 43-yard punt that was downed by Lathan Ransom at the TEX9.

Wisner began the Texas drive with a seven-yard rush up the middle, getting to the TEX16. Wisner then picked up the first down on a four-yard gain. Ewers attempted to connect with Gunnar Helm, but the pass was broken up after Sonny Styles hit Helm. Ewers found Moore Jr. on a shallow pass for a four-yard gain. On third and six at the TEX24, Ewers took a deep shot for Wingo that could not be completed. Kern punted the ball 41-yards, where Egbuka fair caught to set Ohio State up at its own 35-yard mark. Henderson ran up the middle for no gain. Judkins ran to the right for seven yards, but the play was negated due to a holding call on Ohio State.

Being pushed back to the OSU25, Howard completed his next pass to Scott Jr. for a seven-yard gain, getting to the OSU32. A pre-snap penalty pushed the Buckeyes back five yards. Howard found Tate on a 15-yard connection, moving up to the OSU42 but was still short of the first down.

On fourth down, McGuire punted for 43 yards, setting Texas up at the TEX15 after a fair catch. Ewers completed an eight-yard pass to Isaiah Bond. Blue rushed for three yards to pick up the first down. Wisner ran up the middle for a gain of five yards, bringing the offense to the TEX31.

The Buckeye defense forced back-to-back incompletions, with the second being due to a quarterback hurry from Hamilton. Kern punted 42 yards where Egbuka fair caught at the OSU27. On the first play of the drive, Judkins ran up the middle for no gain. Howard was unable to connect with Judkins on a pass that was broken up by Colin Simmons. Howard was unable to escape the pressure and was sacked for a seven-yard loss before the clock hit the two-minute warning timeout.

McGuire punted 39 yards to the TEX41 which was fair caught by Silas Bolden. Wisner started the Texas drive off with a rush up the middle that was stuffed by Williams for no gain. Ewers threw an incomplete pass, then scrambled for a gain of nine yards.

On fourth and one, Arch Manning entered the game and ran to the right for an eight-yard gain. Returning under center, Ewers completed a 24-yard pass to Bolden, advancing Texas to the OSU18. Ewers threw an incomplete pass that was broken up by Kenyatta Jackson Jr. but then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue.

After Will Stone’s good point-after attempt, Texas tied the game 7-7. Stone kickoff went for a touchback, setting up Ohio State at the OSU25 with 29 seconds left in the half.

 On the first and only play of the drive, Will Howard evaded pressure and found Henderson on a screen pass that developed at the right time for a 75-yard touchdown. Fielding’s PAT was good, making the score 14-7 with 13 seconds remaining.

After 45-yard kickoff from Fielding, Helm fair caught at the TEX20 setting Texas up at the 25. Wisner started off the drive with a 13-yard rush. Ewers attempted a deep pass to Wingo that was broken up by Davison Igbinosun. Igbinosun was flagged for holding, moving Texas up from its 38-yard mark to its 48-yard mark. With two seconds left, Ewers attempted another pass intended for Wingo that was broken up by Malik Harford, sending the game to halftime.

Third Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 14, No. 3 Texas 14)

Ohio State deferred at the coin toss and started the third with Egbuka fair catching the kickoff to put the offense at the OSU25. Howard found Egbuka on a 13-yard pass completion, advancing the offense to the OSU38. Henderson ran for back-to-back seven-yard rushes getting to the TEX48. Howard attempted to find Smith downfield, but was intercepted by David Gbenda, who got to the TEX30.

Ewers completed a 10-yard pass to Wisner who was tackled by Tuimoloau and Styles. Wisner then ran for a one-yard rush up the middle. Tuimoloau then met Wisner in the backfield for a loss of two yards, pushing Texas back to its own 39-yard line. On third and 11, Ewers completed a four-yard pass to Wisner to the TEX43, unable to pick up the first down.

On fourth and seven, Kern punted 45 yards to the OSU12 where Inniss fair caught the punt. Egbuka ran the ball on the first play for no gain. Howard connected with Kacmarek for a nine-yard completion, advancing the Buckeyes to the OSU21. On third down, Judkins was stopped for no gain, forcing McGuire to punt 46 yards to the TEX33.

Prior to the snap, Texas committed a false start, moving back to its own 28-yard mark. Ewers threw a pass towards Wingo, but Jordan Hancock forced the incompletion. Wisner ran to the left for a five-yard gain, moving Texas up to its own 33-yard mark. Wisner then caught a 14-yard pass from Ewers. Ewers then found Blue on a five-yard connection, advancing to the OSU48.

Moore Jr. brought in a pass from Ewers that was stopped by Caleb Downs for a gain of two yards. On third and three, Wisner ran up the middle for four yards, picking up the first. Wisner attempted another rush but was stopped by Downs for a loss of two yards. Ewers found Wisner on an 11-yard pass, advancing Texas to the OSU33. Wisner ran the back twice for four yards, picking up the first down, then three more yards getting to the OSU26.

Ewers threw a pass to the middle of the field that was batted down at the line by Williams. On third and seven, Blue caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ewers. After a good extra point from Stone, Texas tied the game 14-14. On the kickoff, Egbuka called for a fair catch that set Ohio State’s offense up at the OSU25. Howard connected with Tate on a 15-yard pass, but an unnecessary roughness moved the Buckeyes from the OSU40 to the OSU25. Howard was then sacked for a loss of ten yards. He fumbled the ball but recovered it.

Henderson ran to the right for a gain of five yards to the OSU20. On third down, Howard threw an incomplete pass intended for Henderson that led to a 41-yard punt by McGuire that set Texas up at its own 39-yard mark. Wisner ran to the right for seven yards. To end the third quarter, Ewers connected with Wisner, but Styles stopped him for a loss of two yards.

Fourth Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 28, No. 3 Texas 14)

Ewers started off the fourth quarter with an incomplete pass intended for Matthew Golden on third and five. Ohio State was set up at the OSU12 after a 44-yard punt from Kern. Howard took a shot immediately for Egbuka that wound up incomplete. Texas committed pass interference, giving the Buckeyes the ball at the OSU27. Howard completed three passes in a row, the first two to Scott Jr. for negative two yards and then four yards. The third pass was an 18-yard pass to Tate, advancing to the OSU47.

Howard took another shot for Egbuka that was incomplete. He then connected with Judkins on an 11-yard pass, entering Texas territory at the 42-yard mark. Howard threw a pass intended for Tate but was unable to complete it. On second and 10, Judkins brought in a pass from Howard for six yards. On third and four, Ohio State committed a false start, moving back to the TEX41. Howard found Scott Jr. on a short pass that went for seven yards to the TEX34.

On a crucial fourth and two play, Howard kept the ball and rushed up the middle for an 18-yard gain. He then found Egbuka on an eight-yard pass, moving up to the TEX8. Judkins pushed forward with a six-yard gain followed up by Howard trying to power his way into the endzone but was stopped at the TEX1. Judkins took the goal line handoff for a one-yard touchdown, giving Ohio State a 20-14 lead. Fielding made his extra point, extending the lead to 21-14.

After a touchback on the kickoff, Ewers completed a short pass to Helm for eight yards before getting knocked out of bounds by Styles. Blue ran the ball for an eight-yard pickup making it to the TEX41. Ewers found Helm on a 34-yard strike, but due to an unsportsmanlike penalty, Texas was moved from the OSU25 to the OSU40.

Ewers took another deep shot, connecting with Golden for 27 yards. Blue took a handoff to the left for two yards, making it to the OSU11. Ewers found Wisner on a short pass for five yards, but then threw an incomplete pass intended for CJ Baxter. Pass interference was called on Ohio State, moving Texas up to the OSU2 with an automatic first down.

Ewers took an endzone shot at Golden that resulted in another pass interference from Ohio State, moving Texas to the one-yard line with another automatic first down. Tuimoloau stuffed Jerrick Gibson for a no gain on the goal line stand. Wisner ran to the left for a loss of seven yards, moving the Longhorns back to the OSU8. Ewers was hurried by Sawyer on third and eight, forcing an incompletion.

On fourth and eight, Sawyer got to Ewers for a nine-yard loss strip sack. The fumble was recovered by Sawyer, who returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. After Fielding made an extra point, the Buckeyes led 28-14 with 2:24 left in the game.

After a touchback, Ewers started with a six-yard completion to Blue, setting Texas up at its own 31-yard line to reach the two-minute warning. Ewers targeted a pass for Blue, but an incompletion was by Williams. On third and four at the TEX31 with 1:46 left in the game, Ewers threw a deep pass that was intercepted by downs to seal the game for Ohio State.

To run out the clock, Judkins ran for a nine-yard gain. Howard ran on a designed quarterback run for two yards to pick up the first, then kneeled down to finish the game.

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