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Most Impactful Play 2025 Cotton Bowl

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NavyBuckeye91's picture
by NavyBuckeye91
January 11, 2025 at 10:10am
56 Comments

Exchanging texts with a buddy this morning discussing some of the key plays from last night’s CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl vs Texas. In the immediate aftermath of the game, everyone was obviously raving about Jack Sawyer’s strip sack, scoop & score, which clearly put the game away. But was that the single most impactful play of the game? 

Obviously, no game is truly decided by one play, but sometimes it sure seems that way. If you had to pick one pivotal play that helped turn the tide of this game permanently in OSU’s direction, which one would it be and why?

1) TreVeyon Henderson’s 75-yard TD?

2) Will Howard’s 4th and 2 QB draw for a 1st down? 

3) Quinshon Judkin’s TD to take the lead?

4) Defense forces 4th and goal with TFL late in the 4th quarter? 

5) The Pickerington Express, Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack, scoop and score. 

6) Other - insert your own video. 

For me, it’s Howard’s 18-yard gain on 4th & 2, to keep the drive alive and enable the go ahead TD in the fourth quarter. Without that, OSU doesn’t take a late lead and force Texas into a “TD or go home” mindset. If the game remains tied there, the Longhorns can play for a TD or a FG, putting the Buckeyes into a do-or-die scenario. That was the critical turning point in my opinion. 

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