How Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded against Oregon in the Rose Bowl

DALLAS — Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau have come alive ever since Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff and that continued in the Cotton Bowl against Texas.

The suddenly dynamic duo spent the 28-14 win taking turns wrecking the Longhorns’ game plan. Tuimoloau shined in the first half until suffering an ankle injury but he still finished with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three pressures to pair with a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.7

The Sawyer took over in the second half finishing with three tackles, two pass breakups and a team-high six pressures plus an 89.8 PFF grade. But his most important stat was a strip-sack, scoop-and-score on a fouth-and-goal attempt by Texas that sealed the win.

Here’s how the rest of the defense graded:

(PFF grades every player on every play and uses a scale of 0-100, with higher grades indicating better play. PFF has explained its grades this way: 100-90 elite; 89-85 Pro Bowler; 84-70 starter; 69-60 backup; 59-0 replaceable. In other words, it’s similar to how we would match up percentages with traditional letter grades in school.)

NOTE: Snap counts in parentheses.

DEFENSIVE END

Jack Sawyer: 89.8 (64)

J.T. Tuimoloau: 81.7 (45)

Caden Curry: 59.5 (8)

Mitchell Melton: 58.1 (8)

Kenyatta Jackson: 41.2 (18)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Eddrick Houston: 72.7 (14)

Kayden McDonald: 65.2 (7)

Tyleik Williams: 64.7 (49)

Hero Kanu: 62.8 (7)

Ty Hamilton: 59.4 (57)

LINEBACKER

Cody Simon: 74.5 (70)

Arvell Reese: 68.7 (6)

Sonny Styles: 62.7 (70)

C.J. Hicks: 60.0 (1)