Ohio State defensive end ejected on controversial targeting call

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer was ejected from the Rose Bowl after being called for targeting early in the second quarter. Sawyer delivered a hit to Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, who ran for 16 yards on the play.

Cameron Rising scrambles 16-yd rush .. booth review for targeting on Jack Sawyer#Utes 14 #Buckeyes 7 Q2 #RoseBowl pic.twitter.com/Gl35hZFJ1i

— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 1, 2022

The Utes scored on the very next play when Tavion Thomas ran in a touchdown from the 6-yard line. The score put them up 21-7 with a little more than nine minutes left in the first half.

The Ohio State defensive end had one tackle in Saturday’s game prior to being ejected for targeting. He wasn’t the only player to draw a targeting call in the game, however. Utah’s Connor O’Toole was also ejected for targeting in the first half.

A true freshman and Ohio native, Sawyer has played in a limited role for the Buckeyes this season. Entering the Rose Bowl, he had 12 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. He was a highly rated recruit, coming in as the No. 4 overall player in the 2021 class according to On3 Consensus.

Utah jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Ohio State answered with a touchdown of its own. After punting on their first drive, the Utes found their way into the end zone on the next five.

For a stretch in the first period, both teams were scoring with ease. They combined for five touchdowns in a matter of two minutes and 43 seconds. Things would eventually cool off, however, as Utah entered halftime with a 35-21 advantage.

Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud was putting on a clinic in the first half, throwing for three touchdowns. Just a minute into the second half, the Heisman finalist is already over 300 yards.

Ohio State is playing this game without several of its key players, including star receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.