WATCH: Jack Sawyer Sends Ohio State to National Championship with Scoop-and-Score
PASADENA, Calif. — June 19, 2025 — In one of the most electrifying plays in Ohio State football history, junior defensive end Jack Sawyer delivered the moment of the season with a game-winning scoop-and-score that sent the Buckeyes to the national championship.
With just under two minutes left in a tense, hard-fought College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, Sawyer pounced on a fumbled snap deep in Crimson Tide territory and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, sealing a dramatic 31-27 victory at the Rose Bowl.
WATCH THE PLAY HERE: (Link to video highlight)
The play unfolded after Alabama, clinging to a 27-24 lead, attempted to run out the clock. Under heavy pressure from the Buckeye defensive front, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe mishandled a shotgun snap. The ball hit the turf, and in a flash, Sawyer scooped it up and sprinted down the sideline, breaking a tackle at the 10-yard line before diving into the end zone.
“I saw the ball and just went for it,” Sawyer said after the game. “We’ve trained for moments like this all season. I knew it could be the difference.”
The stadium erupted as Ohio State fans celebrated what could go down as one of the most memorable defensive plays in program history. The touchdown gave the Buckeyes a four-point lead with 1:32 left. The defense then held strong on Alabama’s final possession, securing Ohio State’s return to the national title game for the first time since 2021.
Head coach Ryan Day praised Sawyer’s instincts and hustle.
“Jack is a warrior,” Day said. “That play was everything—effort, awareness, and heart. That’s the kind of leadership and grit that defines our team.”
Sawyer’s scoop-and-score capped a stellar individual performance that included two sacks, a forced fumble, and seven total tackles.
Ohio State will now face the winner of the Michigan–Texas semifinal for the College Football Playoff National Championship, to be held January 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Stay tuned for more updates and full game coverage.
Written by [Your Name], Sports Correspondent | Follow for more updates on the 2025 College Football Playoff.
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