Future Ohio State star may be in line for key role against Notre Dame after showing up big against Texas

Future Ohio State star may be in line for key role against Notre Dame after showing up big against Texas

Ohio State had its toughest College Football Playoff game of its three-game run against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes won, 28-14, but it really came down to two game-changing plays made by seniors. Just before halftime, RB  took a screen and went 75 yards for a touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. In the closing minutes, Ohio State was defending first-and-goal leading 21-14.

Those two plays stoor out as the real difference in this game, however, it took a complete gut-it-out performance from the Buckeyes on both sides to move on. Even a player that isn’t normally leaned on heavily showed his worth.

Sophomore CB Jermaine Mathews Jr. was thrown into the fire for the entire second half against the Longhorns. CB Denzel Burke exited with an injury before halftime and Mathews was thrown out there on the boundary with Davison Igbinosun opposite of him.

“I’m built for this, man,” Mathews said,“It ain’t no surprise to me. It’s probably a surprise to everybody else, but it’s no surprise to me. I’m built for it, and I’m gonna be ready whenever my number’s called.”

Mathews has played in 15 games this season and has 21 tackles with a sack on his resume. The sophomore cornerback played in 11 games last season and recorded his first career interception as a true freshman.

In 30 coverage snaps against Texas, Mathews allowed just two catches for seven yards. Mathews is a high-energy, fiery player who loves to be physical. Expect him to be a starter for the Buckeyes after this season.

Burke is going to be available to play in the National Championship against Notre Dame, according to Ryan Day. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mathews out there, who has shown a number of times that he belongs, in closing on the big stage against Texas.