The Ohio State football team was able to emerge victorious over Texas in the Cotton Bowl. They won the game 28-14, mostly because of their great defense. The defense never let the Longhorns get into a rhythm. Of course, Jack Sawyer had the play of the game as well.
While the defense played very well, they had to play most of the second half without one of their starters. That was cornerback Denzel Burke. Burke missed a big tackle on a third-down play in the first half and then was seldomly seen on the field again.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. took his spot on the field. Most fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes assumed that Burke had been benched following that poor display of tackling. That was not the case, however. Ryan Day cleared that up during aa press conference on Sunday.
Ohio State football player Denzel Burke missed Cotton Bowl snaps because of illness
Day let everyone know that Burke was not benched due to poor play. He was taken out of the game because of "upper extremity issues". Day made it very clear that Burke was not taken out because of performance problems. It was an injury-related issue.
The good news for the Buckeyes is that Burke will be available for the National Championship Game. Day mentioned that since Mathews Jr. was playing so well, they felt comfortable taking Burke out of the game. Mathews Jr. will certainly see snaps against Notre Dame as well.
There was no update given on J.T. Tuimoloau and his ankle. He got rolled up on against Texas in the first half but returned to finish the game in the second. Based on that, it would seem that he will be available against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes certainly need him to be out there.
Ohio State should be mostly healthy heading into this final game. The same can't be said for Notre Dame. They will be missing at least one starting offensive lineman in this game, and could be missing one more depending on how the rest of the week goes.
This should still be a great game no matter what.