Steve Sarkisian: 'There's a lot of football left' vs. Ohio State in College Football Playoff semifinal

The Texas Longhorns finally got something going near the end of the first half, tying the game up at 7-7 in their CFP Semifinal matchup with Ohio State. It didn’t take long for the Buckeyes to counter, with a 75-yard screen pass to running back TreVeyon Henderson to make it 14-7 right before halftime. Before heading into the locker room at half, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge.

Steve Sarkisian halftime thoughts

How does Sarkisian plan on getting more offense going in the second half?

“Well, the field position helped. We were backed up there a few times. Had an opportunity the first drive. Didn’t convert the fourth down. Got some field position. Found some momentum. It was unfortunate on the screen. We’d been playing really good defense until the screen hit us. But there’s a lot of football left to be played,” Sarkisian explained on Friday night.

With just over two minutes left in the game, Texas trailed Ohio State 28-14. However, after a relatively successful march down the field, Texas was fourth-and-goal on Ohio State’s 8-yard line and seemingly a play away from tying the game.

That’s when Ohio State’s fairytale ending and Ewers’ nightmare scenario simultaneously unfolded. Ewers’ roommate during his lone season at Ohio State was Jack Sawyer. The same Jack Sawyer who went on to become a defensive star for the Buckeyes.

On the pivotal play, Sawyer stripped Ewers and returned the fumble 84 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown, giving Ohio State a 28-14 lead. Texas was unable to strike back, and the Buckeyes emerged victorious. After the game, Quinn Ewers discussed the momentous play.

“I felt him,” Ewers said of Sawyer. “I started drifting away. I thought I was gonna be able to get the ball off before he got there. Obviously, it’s not like I tried to give them the game. But, I saw jack running with the ball down the sideline, and it sucks, man.”

On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.