A year after losing to Ohio State in the season opener, Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns flipped the script in spectacular fashion Saturday. Texas erased a 20-point deficit by scoring the final 20 points of the game, stunning the top-ranked Buckeyes 24-23 in a dramatic rematch.
The comeback was even more remarkable considering the Longhorns struggled with multiple drops from their highly regarded receivers. One miscue even took an unexpected turn, ultimately becoming an Ohio State interception.
The victory was hardly flawless, but it moved Texas to 2-0 and appeared to give Manning an early boost in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin completed 17 of 32 attempts for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Manning finished 23 of 37 for 196 yards, adding a touchdown and an interception of his own. His biggest contribution came late, when he directed a 12-play, 73-yard march that ended with Hollywood Smothers scoring his second touchdown of the night to put Texas ahead.
“We got a bunch of good players, a lot of leaders,” Manning told ESPN afterward. “It’s a fun night.”
“I had nightmares when I came [to Columbus] last year, so we got a good win tonight,” he added. “Have a good night, Austin. Thank you so much.”
Texas quarterback Arch Manning is brought down for a loss by Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Texas receiver Ryan Wingo drops a pass while under pressure from Ohio State’s Devin Sanchez.
Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian celebrates Texas’ victory over Ohio State by singing “The Eyes of Texas.”
Manning’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo sparked the turnaround. With 7:14 remaining, Smothers powered across the goal line from 1 yard out, giving Texas its first lead before Ohio State marched into position for a potential game-clinching field goal.
Connor Hawkins, who had already connected on three field goals, pushed his 45-yard attempt wide. The miss handed Texas the opportunity it needed to launch the decisive final possession.
With a statement win over the No. 1 team in the country, the Longhorns could now make a compelling case for claiming the top spot themselves.
The victory is arguably the biggest regular season win in six seasons for coach Steve Sarkisian, and certainly for Manning, who had struggled to live up to Heisman Trophy expectations early in his career.
Hollywood Smothers #2 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Austin resident Matthew McConaughey celebrates with Texas after their win over Ohio State
The victory is arguably the biggest regular season win in six seasons for coach Steve Sarkisian, and certainly for Manning, who had struggled to live up to Heisman expectations
For the Buckeyes, Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. But the offense produced just a single field goal after halftime, and Sayin’s desperation pass on the final play was intercepted before Texas players rushed on the field to celebrate the comeback.
And like Sayin’s interception, Manning’s may not have been his fault.
Although he overthrew a wide-open Cam Coleman, the top recruit still managed to get his hands on the ball, only to lose it as he came crashing down to the field. But rather than falling incomplete, the ball instead ricocheted off Coleman and into the hands of Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain, thereby turning a potential score into a turnover.
That wasn’t the only costly drop for Texas. Wingo botched a touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) scramble against Ohio State during the first half
‘Texas would be up 14-3 if their receivers could catch,’ one SEC football fan wrote on X.
‘Texas receivers hate Arch Manning,’ another added.
Fortunately for the Longhorns faithful, the drops didn’t spoil a memorable win in Austin.
Ohio State (1-1) hosts Kent State next week while Texas could host the University of Texas San Antonio as the country’s top-ranked team.
