Takeaways As Longhorns Collapse In Heartbreaking Loss To Ohio State In CFP Semifinal
The loss sees Texas finish just two wins shy of a national championship for the second straight season.
ARLINGTON, TX — The Texas Longhorns saw their first season in the SEC come to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a 28-14 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.
The loss sees Texas finish just two wins shy of a national championship for the second straight season as the program was seeking their first natty win since 2005.
Texas’ offense struggled all game long up until the middle of the third quarter when they found its groove against a tough Buckeyes defense. With the Longhorns trailing 21-14 with just over two minutes remaining, Ohio State’s defense stepped up with a goal-line stand, which would turn out to be a season-ending fourth-and-goal play for the Longhorns.
Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers fumbled the ball and Jack Sawyer returned it 83-yards for Ohio State for a touchdown to seal a trip to Atlanta for the Buckeyes.
They made two big plays,” Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian said. “Hit the screen at the end of the first half and got the sack fumble on 4th down for a touchdown. A ton of credit to Ohio State, they’re a very good football team. Well coached.”
Here are the takeaways from Texas’ loss to Ohio State:
Ohio State got physical
The Buckeyes entered the game riding high after two consecutive wins — including over No. 1 Oregon — and did not miss a beat. They were physical and fast, getting in passing lanes and making life difficult for Ewers all night long.
