ARLINGTON, Texas – The massive video screen inside AT&T Stadium displayed a Texas fan, utterly shocked, struggling to process the shocking turn of events.

Finally, she uttered something.

“Holy (expletive),” she exclaimed, as Ohio State fans reveled in joy.

It really happened.

A Texas drive that found its way to the 1-yard line ended with a touchdown for the Buckeyes on the other end of the field.

Game over.

Ohio State advances to the national title match.

Texas heads into the offseason.

Although the Buckeyes made it challenging for themselves during this 28-14 win in the Cotton Bowl, Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack of Quinn Ewers late in the fourth quarter shifted the momentum.

After taking possession of the ball, Sawyer raced 83 yards, eliminating Texas’ opportunity to tie the game and sealing the win for Ohio State.

What a play!

Ohio State showcases resilience despite underwhelming performance

This College Football Playoff semifinal didn’t feature a powerhouse performance, but the Buckeyes displayed enough late-game toughness to fend off Texas.

Pursuing the championship in a 12-team playoff requires Ohio State to secure four victories, and this game proved they could win critical matchups even without their best performance.

They managed to survive. They advanced. Not every win is one for the ages.

Ohio State’s prior two playoff victories had solidified their front-runner status.

This win against Texas may not have been dazzling, but it added another achievement to their list.

Buckeyes rise to the occasion in the fourth quarter

Quinshon Judkins silenced the crowd with a finger to his lips after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

However, Texas had one last attempt to fight back.

With help from two pass interference calls against Ohio State, Texas found themselves just 3 feet away from tying the game. After Ohio State’s defense stood firm on the first attempt, Texas attempted a risky sweep play on the second, resulting in a 7-yard loss. Following an incomplete pass on third down, it all came down to Ewers needing to throw the most crucial pass of his career.

He never managed to throw that pass. Sawyer ensured that wouldn’t happen.

Notre Dame can take some motivation from this matchup, as they could contend with Ohio State in the national championship game. Meanwhile, Buckeyes fans can find comfort in knowing their team made enough pivotal plays at crucial moments to overcome one of the nation’s top defenses.

This wasn’t the ferocious Ohio State team that dominated Tennessee or overwhelmed Oregon, but that’s irrelevant as the Buckeyes triumphed over a formidable foe that refused to back down.

Despite Texas having a higher seed, the outcome was as expected if you’ve been following the Buckeyes through the postseason – just not in this manner.

The intimidating presence that had dominated the early rounds of the Playoff was absent in this match. Instead, we saw a Buckeyes team that responded effectively every time Texas equalized the score.

Ohio State faced adversity with penalties that halted their drives, including a crucial interception from Will Howard.

After suffering a bitter defeat to Michigan six weeks prior, Howard came through with a critical 18-yard rush on a fourth-down play that set up Judkins’ game-winning touchdown.

Sawyer took it from there.

As the clock wound down, Sawyer and head coach Ryan Day celebrated on the sidelines. Day affectionately patted Sawyer on the face, and the exhausted defensive player, finally catching his breath from his long run, beamed with joy.

Wow, Buckeyes, you’re heading to Atlanta.