Source: Steve Limentani/ISI Photos / Getty
The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated No. 5 Texas Longhorns with a strong fourth-quarter performance— winning 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. No. 8 seeded Buckeyes will face No. 7 seed Notre Dame in Atlanta. This will mark their first national championship game appearance since 2020.
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The semifinal turned during a pivotal fourth-down play when defensive end Jack Sawyer returned a Quinn Ewers fumble 83 yards for a touchdown. Shortly after— safety Caleb Downs intercepted Ewers, securing the win. This win was OSU’s first at AT&T Stadium since 2018, under Ryan Day’s interim leadership.
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Despite conversations about Day’s coaching future, the Buckeyes made crucial plays to overcome Texas. A notable moment included a key 13-play, 88-yard drive that locked in the lead late in the game. Postgame, Ryan Day reflected on the doubts he and his team had to face recently: “A month ago a lot of people counted us out.”
Watch last night’s highlights:
Ohio State will meet Notre Dame, who earned their spot defeating Penn State in the Orange Bowl, in the national championship game on January 20th.
Keep scrolling for Cotton Bowl celebration photos
1. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: The Ohio State Buckeyes take the field before the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
2. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes defense celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
3. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Safety Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs towards the end zone to celebrate an interception with his teammates during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
4. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Defensive End JT Tuimoloau #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes a photo with a young photographer after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
5. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes the ball during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
6. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: A Ohio State Buckeyes helmet sits on a table after the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
7. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes players take selfies with Goodyear Cotton Bowl Class Champs hats on after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
8. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Confetti and fireworks fly as Ohio State celebrates winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
9. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Safety Jaylen McClain #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds up a champion t-shirt after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
10. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus celebrates winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
11. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Several Ohio State Buckeyes players celebrate winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
12. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes fans cheer during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
13. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Defensive End Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs back a fumble recovery for a touchdown as teammates cheer and celebrate on the sidelines during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
14. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Pyrotechnics during the trophy presentation after the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
15. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Confetti after the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
16. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is interviewed after receiving the award for most valuable offensive player in the Cotton Bowl during a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
17. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes wears a Top 10 necklace after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
18. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds up the Championship Trophy as confetti flies after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
19. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes screams to players after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
20. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Jaylen McClain #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after beating the Texas Longhorns 28-14 to win the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
21. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Jaylen McClain #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after beating the Texas Longhorns 28-14 to win the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
22. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Defensive End Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes push each other to celebrate after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
23. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 10 CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State vs Texas
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 10: Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes screams after winning the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
24. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes hoists the Field Scovell Trophy after beating the Texas Longhorns 28-14 to win the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
25. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Ohio State v Texas
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 and Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes raise a banner after a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
