ARLINGTON, Texas – Jack Sawyer had already done the hard part. He had ripped the ball out of Quinn Ewers’ hands, ending Texas’ threat of a decisive score in the final moments of the game. But then Sawyer picked up the loose football and started running.

Eighty-three yards separated the Ohio State defensive end from the end zone, and he could barely think as he chugged down the field. He later said he fainted a little.

“I hit about the 30-yard line and looking back I thought, I hope I get some blockers – I’m running out of steam here,” Sawyer said. “They walked side by side with me. That also speaks volumes about who this team is. We always support each other. It was a special moment.

“I love Columbus. I love Ohio State. I love Ohio State football.”

This was the boy who grew up in central Ohio, throwing passes to his father in the backyard in a Buckeye jersey and dreaming of one day playing for a national championship in scarlet and gray. And now he will do it. He knew that as he crossed that finish line and cemented his place in Ohio State history.

The Buckeyes are just one game – just 60 minutes – away from that title after their 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the national semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Only Notre Dame stands in their way, a formidable opponent that will face them for the national championship on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.

All those years ago, Sawyer was the first player to commit to the then-new head coach Ryan Day. A year ago, he became the first draft-eligible player to choose to return to the Buckeyes to go all-in for the 2024-25 season. He wanted to beat Michigan. He wanted to win a Big Ten championship. He wanted to win a national title.

Two of those goals fell by the wayside on a very frustrating late November afternoon. Sawyer was the one who ripped that flag out of the hands of Michigan players as they tried to hang it in his home stadium. He loved his school, his teammates, and his coaches too much to allow the “M” block anywhere near midfield.

“I love stories of men who go through difficult times, remain faithful, defend the people they love most, and then come out the back door. I just love that in life,” Day said. “How do you know anything about a person’s character? When you go through hard times with them. Everything is easy when things are going well; Anyone can be a leader.

“Our story has been – over the last few years – there have been ups and downs. But seeing the team play like they did in the fourth quarter (against Texas) is important in my opinion. That’s why we’re talking about it. Because I don’t think we would have come through like we did in the fourth quarter without those things.”

Ohio State became what it is today because of its embarrassing loss to Michigan in November. And the midseason loss to Oregon. And also last year’s loss to Missouri here in the Cotton Bowl. That’s what Day means, and it’s why Sawyer fought so hard to make this season about more than just raising flags. That’s how he was able to jump into his head coach’s arms as the final seconds ticked down Friday night, knowing full well that the next time they would be on the field together was when they were playing for a national championship.

“He’s always wanted a moment like this,” Day said. “To see him have the moment he had today — I mean, he’s become like family to me.”

It did that too Emeka Egbuka And TreVeyon Henderson. Lathan Ransom And Cody Simon. All those people who had to endure those painful losses to Michigan. That loss to Georgia on New Year’s Eve a few years ago. Any low that led to the current high.

“We talked before the game about leaving a legacy. “To become your own legend,” Day said. “There are some people on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history. …

“But we have to finish this thing. And they know it.”