Jack Sawyer, a senior defensive end for the Ohio State Buckeyes, recently shared heartfelt remarks about his head coach, Ryan Day, following the team’s 28-14 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. This win secured Ohio State’s place in the national championship game.
In the closing minutes of the game, Sawyer made a pivotal play by stripping the ball from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and returning the fumble 83 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Buckeyes’ victory.
After the game, Sawyer expressed profound gratitude towards Coach Day, stating, “I’m just so thankful to be able to play for this coach and this team each and every week. We get 10 more days with each other.”
Coach Day reciprocated the admiration, praising Sawyer’s dedication and leadership. He remarked, “I can’t say enough about Jack Sawyer. He’s a guy who loves being a Buckeye. He loves his teammates. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s a captain. He’s everything that we could possibly ask for in a captain, to make a play like that in that moment. We talked about before the game, ‘Do you want to leave a legacy behind and become a legend?’ He just became a legend at Ohio State.”
The bond between Sawyer and Day was further highlighted by a touching moment involving Sawyer’s family. After the game, Coach Day shared an emotional embrace with Sawyer’s mother, celebrating the defensive end’s game-sealing touchdown.
Sawyer’s performance throughout the season has been instrumental in the Buckeyes’ success, and his relationship with Coach Day reflects a mutual respect and commitment to excellence. As Ohio State prepares for the national championship game, the synergy between players and coaching staff, exemplified by Sawyer and Day, will be crucial in their pursuit of victory.
For more insights into their post-game reflections, you can watch the following press conference:
