Jack Sawyer describes his mindset on scoop and score run

The Ohio State Buckeyes found themselves in a tight game at the Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns with Texas trying to cap off a long drive with a score to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. That’s when star edge rusher Jack Sawyer came off the edge to strip quarterback Quinn Ewers and scored a touchdown on a long scoop and score run.

Given that the Cotton Bowl was doubling as a College Football Playoff semifinal, that play effectively sent the Buckeyes to play in the National Championship Game. After all, it took the game from the Longhorns knocking on the door of a tie game and flipped it into a two-score game.

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Following the game, Sawyer met with the media. There, he broke down what was going through his mind on that play and just what the win means to him.

“Shit, I guess just don’t fall like Will [Howard] did,” Jack Sawyer said with Howard laughing next to him. “No, I’m joking. I’m kidding. But, seriously, I hit about the 30 [yard line] and I look back and I’m like I hope I’ve got some blockers. I’m running out of steam here, but they were running with me side-by-side.”

Jack Sawyer was referencing a play that had happened earlier in the game when Will Howard broke a fourth down run for what looked like it should have been a score. However, the turf monster tripped him up and the Buckeyes settled for a first down.

“That just speaks volumes to who this team is too, you know? We always have each other’s back and it was a special moment,” Sawyer said. “I love Columbus, I love the state of Ohio, and I love Ohio State football. Like I’ve said a million times after the game, God is great and he’s put this team in such a great spot and I’m just so fortunate to be playing in a national championship in my last year here.”

Throughout his time at Ohio State, Jack Sawyer has been one of the team’s most important defensive players. He came as a five-star recruit in the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the fourth-ranked player nationally and the top-ranked edge rusher in that recruiting cycle.

This season, Sawyer has 56 tackles, including nine tackles for a loss and 9.0 sacks on the season. He also has an interception, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles with three more fumble recoveries.

Now, Jack Sawyer and Ohio State will play Notre Dame for a national championship. That game is set to be played on Monday, January 20th at 7:30 p.m. EST.