Quinn Ewers’ tenure as Texas’s starting quarterback likely ended after his fourth-quarter fumble and walk-off interception to seal the Longhorn’s Cotton Bowl loss.
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer all but ended his ex-college roommate’s Texas career with a scoop and score to put the game out of reach. Sawyer was the roommate of Ewers for a semester during their brief time together at Ohio State before Ewers transferred to Texas. Ewers dropped back in shotgun on a critical third-and-goal from the 8-yard line but was met by a collapsing pocket. Sawyer’s edge rush was powerful, dislodging the ball and bouncing toward the sideline.
Sawyer scooped up the loose ball off of a key strip sack with Texas down by a touchdown and on the verge of tying the game in the red zone. The defensive end blazed down the sidelines to return the ball 83 yards for a touchdown, securing the Buckeyes’ victory and a berth in the National Championship against Notre Dame.
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After the play game, his teammates placed a “Top Ten” necklace around his neck during the postgame celebration, celebrating his key play in Ohio State’s win. “It just means everything to me. God blessed this team with ability. I kinda blacked out on the way over, but coach put us in a great position to make plays,” Sawyer said.
Adding respect for his former teammate, Sawyer said: “That’s my boy [Ewers]. I got respect for him and the Texas team” – after admitting that Ewers playfully said “screw you” after the play. “Shout out to them, too.” Sawyer’s star power rose this season after his memorable role in the scuffle with Michigan players during a flag-planting incident in their rivalry game.
His performance in the Cotton Bowl earned him Defensive Player of the Game honors and solidified his status as a projected first-round pick in the NFL Draft, likely to go between picks 25 and 32. Offensive Player of the Game honors went to Buckeyes QB Will Howard, who had 289 passing yards and a touchdown.
Jack Sawyer won Defensive Player of the Game (
Getty)
Ewers finished the game with 283 yards, two touchdowns, and two turnovers. Outside of two fumbles, his interception to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs could have been his final throw in a burnt orange uniform.
ESPN commentators suggested that Arch Manning, who previously rushed for eight yards to convert a first down on a critical play before halftime, should have been inserted for the final drive. Despite Manning’s success in limited action, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian chose to stick with Ewers.
With the Longhorns season officially over, the highly touted freshman quarterback is expected to take over as the starter next season. Should Ewers not decide to enter the transfer portal and play for a new team next season, he is projected as a second-round pick in the latest 2025 NFL Mock Drafts.
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