Steve Sarkisian Takes Heat for Late-Game Play-Calling Against Ohio State

The Texas Longhorns are going home after falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

But that almost wasn't the case.

The Longhorns faced 1st and goal on the one in the game's final minutes with a chance to punch in the game-tying touchdown. What ensued was a disastrous sequence that will certainly keep Texas fans up at night all offseason.

A Jerrick Gibson run was stuffed on first down was followed by Quintrevion Wisner losing eight yards on a second-down toss. A Quinn Ewers pass attempt to Ryan Wingo was deflected at the line for an incomplete pass on third, setting up a fatal fourth down for the Longhorns. The QB was stripped sacked by Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, who housed the fumble recover for a touchdown to stick the proverbial dagger into the Longhorns.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian has taken criticism for his second-half play-calling at various points of the season and came under fire online as Texas' national championship hopes crashed and burned on Friday.

"Ryan Day gave up play-calling this year," said Matt Fortuna on X. "Steve Sarkisian didn't. And play-calling there is going to cost Texas a chance at the national championship."

Running sideways on the goal line with a berth in the national championship on the line might be the single worst play call of Steve Sarkisian's career," said Wescott Eberts of Burnt Orange Nation.

"Steve Sarkisian calling a toss out of shotgun on 2nd and goal from the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinals might be the worst play call of the entire college football season," said another X user.