Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates a touchdown during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Ohio State football heads to halftime with a slim 14-7 lead over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. The winner of this game earns the right to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Momentum seemed lost and Texas looked like they had found its groove, but with less than a minute left, TreVeyon Henderson totally redeemed himself from his terrible penalty earlier in the game with a 75-yard touchdown reception. Penalties have been the prevailing theme for both seasons, but nerves and mistakes are somewhat expected in a game of this magnitude.
It truly feels like the Buckeyes are the team of destiny and overall there isn’t much to complain about regarding the first half, but the following are three observations noticed from the first half.
NEXT … The play calling
The coaching staff is in their bag
Ryan Day has received a ton of flack for how he and his staff ended the regular season and rightfully so, but the dude has been coaching with an edge this post-season, and that goes for the masterful play-calling by Chip Kelly and the hair-on-fire defense called by Jim Knowles.
Next … Making good on a mistake
TreVeyon Henderson has redeemed himself
TreVeyon Henderson is one of the most explosive running backs in college football and one of the nicest young men you would ever meet. I am sure he felt horrible after he committed that silly penalty in the first quarter, but all should be forgiven after his 75-yard touchdown burst.
Next … Uncle Mo
Momentum is real
Anyone who says momentum isn’t real just hasn’t gambled or played sports at a competitive level. It is 100% real and Ohio State took all of it into the half and if they can hang on to it, the lead should only grow.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football vs. Texas Longhorns: Halftime observations
