Ryan Day Shares Moment With Jack Sawyer’s Mom After Game-Winning TD In Cotton Bowl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 11, 2025 1:04 AM ET

Jack Sawyer grabbed headlines on Friday night after the defensive end scored the game-winning touchdown for No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in Friday's 28-14 victory against No. 5 Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.

Not too many fans out there, if any, would have predicted that it was Sawyer who would seal the deal for the Longhorns in this College Football Playoff semifinal showdown, which made his fumble return touchdown even more special.

Sawyer stripped Texas star quarterback Quinn Ewers with a little over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With the Longhorns on fourth down, Sawyer came up with one of the biggest plays of the game, recovered the ball himself and went on to run 83 yards for the TD.

pic.twitter.com/0bJ7q66UuL
— dubs408 (@dubsvidstouse) January 11, 2025

There was no incoming back for Texas after that.

After the game, the cameras caught Ohio State head coach Ryan Day sharing a special moment with Sawyer's mom on the field. The Buckeyes shot-caller was seen embracing Michelle Sawyer while also telling her that her son had just earned legendary status after that incredible play -- one that will leave a mark in the hearts and minds of the Buckeyes faithful for years to come.

Ryan Day embraces Jack Sawyer’s mom following the Cotton Bowl win over Texas.

“That’s how you become a legend!” pic.twitter.com/1zKzpzxvVP
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) January 11, 2025

Thanks in part to Sawyer's heroics, Ohio State is now headed to the College Football Playoff national championship where they are set to face No. 7 Notre Dame on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Buckeyes will be looking to lift the national title for a ninth time in the program's decorated history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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