Football

Ohio State enters title game led by faith-fueled veterans who 'give God all the credit'

By Joshua Doering Jan 15, 2025
From left: J.T. Tuimoloau, TreVeyon Henderson, Gee Scott, Jack Sawyer, Emeka Egbuka. (AP Photos)

In any other college football season, Ohio State’s stunning loss to Michigan would have ended the Buckeyes’ chance of winning a national championship. The new 12-team College Football Playoff, however, gave Ohio State an opportunity to regroup and play up to its potential with a national title on the line. Entering the CFP as the No. 8 seed, the Buckeyes (13-2) have taken full advantage of that opportunity.

They jumped out to a 21-0 lead against No. 9 Tennessee in the first round, led No. 1 Oregon 34-0 late in the second quarter of the quarterfinals, and outscored No. 5 Texas 14-0 in the fourth quarter of Friday’s semifinal to reach the title game for the third time in the CFP era.

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Motivated in part by encouragement from defensive end Jack Sawyer and the disappointing end to last season, many members of Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class who would have been taken in the NFL draft opted to return for their senior year.

“This group, the ’21 group, has been through a lot,” running back TreVeyon Henderson said recently. “This is a special moment for all of us to be in this position, to be there for each other, to stay committed to each other the way we have.

“This season hasn’t been perfect. We aren’t perfect, but we’ve leaned on each other to keep going, to stay focused, and we’re still here fighting to play with each other until there are no other games to be played.”

Henderson and Sawyer both played decisive roles in the team’s 28-14 win over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. Henderson took a screen pass 75 yards to give Ohio State a 14-7 lead right before halftime.

It was Sawyer, though, who made the play of the game. With the Longhorns trailing 21-14 late in the fourth quarter and facing fourth-and-goal, Sawyer — born and raised in the Columbus suburb of Pickerington, Ohio — stripped former roommate Quinn Ewers and returned the fumble 83 yards for a game-sealing touchdown.

While Ohio State’s group of veterans has obviously been bonded by their experiences on the field, many also share even ever deeper bond — their strong faith in God.

“It just means everything to me,” Sawyer told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the Cotton Bowl. “God’s blessed this team with so much ability, you know. We wouldn’t be here without Him, so we give Him all the credit first and foremost.”

Henderson, who has produced 1,251 yards of total offense this season, was one of multiple Buckeye players who spoke at an on-campus faith event in August that drew a crowd of more than 2,000 people. He originally thought he would enter the 2024 draft but explained on the Sports Spectrum Podcast why he felt God calling him back to Ohio State.

“My purpose is to be here and to continue to lead others to Him, to continue to grow closer to Him, you know, and man, spread His Word to others and lead others to Him, to Jesus, and to the Kingdom,” he said on the podcast.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and tight end Gee Scott shared their testimonies at the faith event as well. All have been quick to give glory to God and express their faith publicly.

“I’m proud of my guys. I’m proud of my brothers next to me,” Tuimoloau, the team’s leader in sacks (11.5), said of his defensive teammates following a November win at Penn State while wearing a “Jesus Won” shirt. He continued later: “We gotta stay faithful. Give all the glory to God always for a beautiful day and just all the times we are blessed with.”

Egbuka — who leads the Buckeyes in receptions (75) and is second in receiving yards (947) and receiving touchdowns (10) — was on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in November. He discussed the importance of having an identity grounded in the Lord, a fitting topic considering the way Ohio State’s season has played out.

“Things may go rocky in our life, but we know that if we’re serving God, ultimately He’s going to work it out in our favor,” Egbuka said. “And it may not look like what you thought it was going to look like, but He’s going to bless you nonetheless.”

Furthermore, Scott preached at a Columbus-area church in July, and ended the sermon by baptizing seven of his teammates. During an appearance on Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast last month, he shared that knowing God is at work even in moments of adversity allows him to play with freedom.

“I have faith that all of these things I’m going through are working together to refine me and make me a better version of myself,” he said. “Having faith through that gives me freeing peace while I play. … I’m just here to serve Christ.”

 

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Egbuka, Sawyer and Tuimoloau are all potential first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, while Henderson is likely to be an early-round selection as well. But first, they have Monday’s national championship game against No. 7 Notre Dame to focus on. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Win or lose, the praise will be going to the Lord.

“We just give God all the credit and all the glory, and, man, we’re going to Atlanta,” Sawyer said Friday. “Couldn’t be more excited.”

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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