Both spots in the College Football Playoff national championship have been secured.
No. 5 Texas and No. 8 Ohio State clashed in the CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal on Friday to determine who will meet No. 7 Notre Dame in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. At the end of a hard-fought four quarters, the Buckeyes emerged victorious and in position to win their first national championship in a decade.
Watch Ohio State vs. Texas in CFP semifinal live with Fubo (free trial)
In a game where freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was largely a non-factor vs. the Longhorns, multiple players stepped up in the Cotton Bowl. Quarterback Will Howard completed 24 of 33 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown to one interception, while running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins 15 rushes, 78 yards and two touchdowns from Judkins. Henderson also had a go-ahead 75-yard touchdown reception right before the end of the second quarter.
But perhaps no player had a bigger impact than Jack Sawyer, whose strip-sack and fumble recovery for touchdown all but iced the game for the Buckeyes after they allowed the Longhorns to go all the way down to the 1-yard line with a chance to tie the game late.
With that, follow along for scores, updates and highlights of Friday’s CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal between Ohio State and Texas:
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Ohio State vs Texas score updates
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Ohio State vs Texas Cotton Bowl updates
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Final: Ohio State 28, Texas 14
Ohio State heading to the CFP championship
That’ll do it: The Buckeyes win the Cotton Bowl and will advance to the CFP championship game in Atlanta, where Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman await.
Caleb Downs INT ices Cotton Bowl
The game isn’t over quite yet, but a Caleb Downs interception of Quinn Ewers has essentially iced this game with less than two minutes to play.
Jack Sawyer scoop-and-score gives Ohio State two-score lead
When Ohio State needed it most, Jack Sawyer made a massive defensive play. He strip-sacks quarterback Quinn Ewers on fourth-and-goal from the Ohio State 8-yard line, then scoops the fumble and takes it 83 yards to the house to give Ohio State what appears to be an insurmountable lead with 2:13 left in this Cotton Bowl semifinal.
Ohio State retakes lead
The Buckeyes strike for the first time in the second half. Quinshon Judkins powers himself through the goal line from the 1-yard line to give Ohio State the 21-14 lead, with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Big play of the drive came on fourth-and-2 at Texas’ 34-yard line when Will Howard picked up 18 yards on the quarterback keeper.
It is a 13-play drive for 88 yards for Ohio State and takes 7:45 off the game clock.
Will Howard makes big play for Ohio State
What a play! Facing a big fourth-and-2 at Texas’ 34-yard line, Will Howard keeps it and breaks off up the middle of the field for an 18-yard gain. Ohio State in the red zone for the first time in the second half.
Will Howard converts big third down
Ohio State makes a much-needed play on third-and-8, as Will Howard finds Carnell Tate for 18 yards on the run. The Buckeyes are knocking on the Longhorns’ side of the field for the first time in the second half.
Texas moving to start fourth quarter
The Longhorns face a third-and-5 to open up the fourth quarter after a 2-yard loss on a carry from Quintrevion Wisner on second down.
End of third quarter: Ohio State 14, Texas 14
Ohio State punts again
What a turn of events. Texas sends four rushers on Will Howard on third-and-15, and Longhorns’ linebacker Colin Simmons breaks up Howard’s pass intended for TreVeyon Henderson. Ohio State is forced to punt for the second consecutive drive.
All momentum right now is on Texas. Ohio State star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is also nowhere to be found, as Howard has only thrown to him three times.
Texas ties game with touchdown
If it works, why change it? That seems to be the mindset for Texas and Steve Sarkisian, who dials up the same play call as he did at the end of the first half for a touchdown.
Facing a third-and-7, Quinn Ewers takes advantage of Ohio State leaving Jaydon Blue open along the left sideline of the field for a 26-yard touchdown pass on the wheel route. It is the second score of the night for the Longhorns running back.
A really good and balanced drive for Ewers: 5 of 7 passing for 58 yards and four third-down conversions. Texas evens the score at 14-14 with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Quinn Ewers with impressive play
How did he do that? Just as the pocket collapsed and his knee went down to the ground, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers gets the ball out to Quintrevion Wisner for a 14-yard flip and catch. A great improvised play by Ewers, who avoids his fourth sack of the night.
Texas picks off Will Howard, punts
An untimely forced pass from Will Howard on first-and-10 at the Texas 48-yard line is intercepted by Texas’ David Gbenda. Howard tried to get Ohio State star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith involved, after Smith had just one catch on two targets in the first quarter.
Texas, however, is unable to capitalize on the turnover, as it punts the ball back to Ohio State after four plays.
End of first half: Ohio State 14, Texas 7
Ohio State leads Texas at halftime
Thanks to a one-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, Ohio State takes a 14-7 lead into halftime at the 2025 Cotton Bowl against Texas.
Ohio State will start the second half with the ball.
Here’s a breakdown of the stats from the first half:
- Total offense: Ohio State 236, Texas 177
- Total rushing yards: Texas 44, Ohio State 36
- Total passing yards: Ohio State 200, Texas 133
- First downs: Texas 10, Ohio State 9
- Third down conversions: Ohio State 2 of 6, Texas 1 of 7
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard completed 14 of 19 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 10 of 20 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Ohio State retakes lead
Ohio State quickly responds with a 75-yard touchdown on a screen pass from Will Howard to TreVeyon Henderson.
Quite the statement by the Buckeyes, who are 13 seconds away from walking into the locker room with a 14-7 lead. Ohio State gets the ball to start the second half as well.
Texas ties game with touchdown
Texas has life, and it’s a tied game!
On first-and-10 at the Ohio State 18-yard line, Quinn Ewers throws an absolute dot to running back Jaydon Blue for a wide-open, 18-yard touchdown. Great play call from Steve Sarkisian.
Arch Manning converts fourth down for Texas
After review, Quinn Ewers is short of the first down, giving Texas a fourth-and-1 at the Ohio State 49-yard line. Steve Sarkisian sends out Longhorns backup quarterback Arch Manning for the play, and he picks up the first down on an 8-yard quarterback keeper to the right side.
Manning nearly fumbled the ball, but officials ruled him down before the ball came out — disaster avoided for the Longhorns. First-and-10 at the Ohio State 42-yard line coming up for Texas, who trails 7-0 with 39 seconds remaining.
Texas has ball at two-minute timeout
The Longhorns’ defense picks Isaiah Bond up with a three-and-out, giving the ball back to Quinn Ewers and Co. at the two-minute timeout. Big play of the series for Texas came on third-and-10, when Barryn Sorrell and Anthony Hill Jr. recorded a combo sack on Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.
Texas’ Isaiah Bond drops ball for first down
Quinn Ewers throws a near perfect throw to wide receiver Isaiah Bond on third-and-5, but Bond drops the ball, as he attempted to jump in the air to make the catch. If Bond had made the catch, Texas would have extended its drive and close into Ohio State territory. Instead, the Longhorns punt the ball back to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State punts again
Self-inflicted penalties continue to set back Ohio State on offense, and ultimately force the Buckeyes to punt for the third consecutive drive.
Facing a third-and-18, Will Howard threw a 15-yard pass to Carnell Tate to the left sideline, but Tate was a few yards short of the first down.
ESPN’s telecast showed Ryan Day frustrated on the Buckeyes sideline at several parts of their last drive. Buckeyes’ penalties keeping Longhorns in the game, only down 7-0 with under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Ohio State Will Howard has a contusion on his left (non-throwing) hand
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has a giant knot on his non-throwing hand, as shown on ESPN’s telecast. ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Ohio State’s medical staff is not sure when it happened and that Howard is not complaining about it or receiving treatment.
Texas’ Matthew Golden heads to locker room
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden heads to the locker room after a brief trip to the medical tent.
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported that Texas’ training staff was looking at his ankle on the sideline before heading to the locker room. Golden was hit with a facemask penalty on second-and-11 on Texas’ last drive.
Quinn Ewers sacked, Texas punts again
Ohio State once again sends six defensive players on third-and-11 at Quinn Ewers, and the Buckeyes immediately sack the Longhorns quarterback for a loss of 10 yards. The Buckeyes looked to have had an opportunity for their first turnover of the night, as Sonny Styles stripped the ball out of Ewers’ hand but the Longhorns recovered.
Ohio State will start at its 34-yard line with a first-and-10 after a 51-yard punt.
Texas recovers fumble on punt return
Texas avoids disaster on a punt return, as the ball bounces back into the hands of Silas Bolden after initially falling out. Longhorns will start at their own 25-yard line, trailing Ohio State 7-0 at the start of the second quarter.
End of first quarter: Ohio State 7, Texas 0
Ohio State sacks Quinn Ewers
Texas’ slow start continues, as the Longhorns are forced to punt on their second drive of the night.
Facing a third-and-12, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles dials up the blitz and continues to attack Texas’ offensive line. Knowles’ call leads to a 4-yard sack on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, the second of the night
Ohio State takes over at its 8-yard line after a 40-yard punt, leading 7-0 with 4:19 remaining in the first quarter.
Ohio State takes lead with touchdown
Quinshon Judkins bulldozes his way through the Texas defense into the end zone for the first points of the night. It is the 11th rushing touchdown of the season for the Buckeyes running back.
A great opening drive and start by Ryan Day and Ohio State: 10 plays for 64 yards and 2-for-2 on third downs conversions. Buckeyes lead 7-0 with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Texas turns it over on downs
Steve Sarkisian’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-3 at the Ohio State 36-yard line comes to backfire on him, as Quinn Ewers’ pass intended for DeAndre Moore Jr. falls short.
A big early spot for Ohio State’s defense, who gives the ball to Will Howard and the Buckeyes’ offense for the first time tonight.
Matthew Golden with big catch for Texas
Stay hot Matthew Golden! The Longhorns wide receiver comes up with an impressive one-handed catch on the slant route to pick up the first down for Texas on third-and-2.
Pregame
Ohio State wins coin toss
The Buckeyes win the coin toss and elect to defer the kickoff to the second half. It will be Quinn Ewers and Texas’ offense up first in the 2025 Cotton Bowl!
Matthew McConaughey in attendance at Cotton Bowl
After missing the Peach Bowl, Texas’ Minster of Culture Matthew McConaughey is back on the sidelines rooting on the Longhorns in their CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal.
AT&T Stadium packed for Cotton Bowl
We’re just a few minutes away from kickoff at the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ohio State. AT&T Stadium looks rather packed and evenly split between the fan bases, despite the proximity to Texas’ campus and the winter weather that hit the Dallas-Forth Worth area throughout the week.
Did Quinn Ewers play at Ohio State?
‘I don’t regret any decision I’ve made on going,’ Ewers told reporters ahead of the Cotton Bowl. ‘… The reason I came back to Texas was one, to be closer to where I’m from, and just closer to the resources that I have and the relationships that I’ve built over time just being from Texas.’
Who would Ohio State or Texas play in CFP championship?
The winner of Friday’s Cotton Bowl between No. 5 Texas and No. 8 Ohio State will play No. 7 Notre Dame in the CFP championship game on Monday, Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Notre Dame upset No. 6 Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night thanks to the leg of Irish kicker Mitch Jeter, who hit a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Irish scored 27 unanswered points after being in an early 10-0 deficit to the Nittany Lions.
Ohio State arrives at Cotton Bowl
Will Howard and the Buckeyes have arrived at AT&T Stadium for Friday night’s CFP semifinal showdown with No. 5 Texas. Howard comes into Friday’s Cotton Bowl in search of his first career win against Texas, as he was 0-3 against the Longhorns during his career at Kansas State.
Ryan Wingo starting over Isaiah Bond in Texas’ Cotton Bowl depth chart
As noted by Inside Texas on X (formerly Twitter), Longhorns true freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo was listed in front of Isaiah Bond at the X position in Texas’ depth chart that was handed out in the AT&T Stadium press box.
Wingo had two catches for 33 receiving yards in Texas’ Peach Bowl win over Arizona State.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas has arrived at Cotton Bowl
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian walks out of the tunnel at AT&T Stadium for his pregame on-the-field walk.
Fans have entered Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium
According to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, the doors have opened for fans to enter AT&T Stadium for Friday’s CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal. Kickoff between Texas and Ohio State is less than two hours away!
Texas Cotton Bowl record
Texas is making its 23rd Cotton Bowl appearance on Friday, which ranks for the most Cotton Bowl appearances by one program, and first since 2003. The Longhorns are 11-10-1 all-time in the Cotton Bowl.
Here’s a look at past scores from the Longhorns’ last 10 Cotton Bowl appearances:
- 1972: Penn State 30, Texas 6
- 1973: Texas 17, Alabama 13
- 1974: Nebraska 19, Texas 3
- 1978: Notre Dame 38, Texas 10
- 1982: Texas 14, Alabama 12
- 1984: Georgia 10, Texas 9
- 1991: Miami 46, Texas 3
- 1999: Texas 38, Mississippi State 11
- 2000: Texas 27, Arkansas 7
- 2003: Texas 35, LSU 20
Ohio State Cotton Bowl record
Ohio State is making back-to-back appearances in the Cotton Bowl, as the Buckeyes appeared in the New Year’s Six bowl in the 2023 season vs. Missouri. The Buckeyes bring a 2-1 record at the Cotton Bowl into Friday’s CFP semifinal.
Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of how the Buckeyes have fared in past Cotton Bowls:
- Jan. 1, 1987: Ohio State 28, Texas 12
- Dec. 29, 2017: Ohio State 24, USC 7
- Dec. 29, 2023: Missouri 14, Ohio State 3
Cotton Bowl traffic amid winter storm
The snow has appeared to calm down in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Arlington Police Department made an announcement on X (formerly Twitter) encouraging those attending the Cotton Bowl to drive safe and watch out for ice. Kickoff is officially slated for 7:45 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium.
Ohio State vs Texas time today
- Date: Friday, Jan. 10
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
The Buckeyes and Longhorns will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 10 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal.
What channel is Ohio State vs Texas game on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming options: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
ESPN will broadcast Friday’s College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal between Ohio State and Texas. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login), and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call from the booth at AT&T Stadium, with Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge both reporting from the sidelines.
Ohio State vs Texas history
- Series record: Texas leads 2-1
- Ohio State’s last win: 2006 (24-7)
- Texas’ last win: 2009 (24-21)
Friday’s meeting between Ohio State and Texas will be the fourth all-time meeting between both programs, and the first since the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. The Longhorns lead the all-time series against the Buckeyes 2-1.
Ohio State vs Texas predictions
Here’s a look at some predictions for Friday’s CFP semifinal between Ohio State and Texas:
- Bill Rabinowitz, The Dispatch: Ohio State 35, Texas 28
- Joey Kaufman, The Dispatch: Ohio State 27, Texas 21
- Rob Oller, The Dispatch: Texas 27, Ohio State 21
- Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman: Texas wins
- David Eckert, Austin American-Statesman: Ohio State 31, Texas 24
- Caleb Yum, Austin American-Statesman: Ohio State 37, Texas 35
Ohio State vs Texas betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Friday, Jan. 1
- Spread: Ohio State -6
- Over/under: 53.5
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-250) | Texas (+195)
Ohio State vs Texas injury updates
This section will be updated.
Ohio State vs Texas weather update
According to forecasts from The Weather Channel, it is expected to be 36 degrees and cloudy at 7 p.m. ET on Friday in Arlington, Texas — which is certainly warmer than it has been in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in recent days. Snow showers in the area are expected to end at 3 a.m. ET.
However, the weather won’t have any impact on the game itself since AT&T Stadium is a full enclosed stadium.
Ohio State football schedule 2024
Here’s a look at Ohio State’s schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Akron (W, 52-6)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Western Michigan (W, 56-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Marshall (W, 49-14)
- Thursday, Sept. 26: at Michigan State* (W, 38-7)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Iowa* (W, 35-7)
- Saturday, Oct. 12: at No. 3 Oregon* (L, 32-31)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Nebraska* (W, 21-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: at No. 3 Penn State* (W, 20-13)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Purdue* (W, 45-0)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at Northwestern* (W, 31-7)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 5 Indiana (W, 38-15)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Michigan* (L, 13-10)
- Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 8 Tennessee, CFP first-round (W, 42-17)**
- Wednesday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 1 Oregon, CFP Rose Bowl quarterfinal (W, 41-21)**
- Friday, Jan. 10: vs. No. 5 Texas (CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal)**
- Record: 12-2, 7-2 Big Ten
* Denotes Big Ten game
** Denotes CFP ranking
Texas football schedule 2024
Here’s a look at Texas’ schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 10 Michigan (W, 31-12)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. UTSA (W, 56-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Louisiana-Monroe Monroe (W, 51-3)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Mississippi State * (W, 35-13)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma * (W, 34-3)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 5 Georgia * (L, 30-15)
- Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 25 Vanderbilt * (W, 27-24)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida (W, 49-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at Arkansas * (W, 20-10)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Kentucky * (W, 31-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at No. 20 Texas A&M * (W, 17-7)
- Saturday Dec. 7: vs. No. 5 Georgia, SEC championship game (L, 22-19 OT)
- Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 12 Clemson, CFP first-round (W, 38-24) **
- Saturday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 4 Arizona State, CFP quarterfinals (W, 39-31 2OT) **
- Friday, Jan. 10: vs. No. 8 Ohio State (CFP semifinals) **
* Denotes Big Ten game
** Denotes CFP ranking
College Football Playoff news
Here’s a few pregame reads surrounding the College Football Playoffs:
- Ohio State, you’re the College Football Playoff favorite now. Deal with it.
- SEC and its Dear Leader should accept reality: League no longer rules college football
- How Nick Saban went from Darth Vader at Alabama to college football’s favorite uncle with ESPN
- James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will be first Black head coach in FBS championship
- Big Ten, SEC headline college football bowl season’s winners and losers
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