The No. 4 Texas Longhorns, led by quarterback Arch Manning, mounted an improbable fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-23 on Saturday night in Austin. Despite trailing for most of the game and facing a 20-point deficit midway through the third quarter, Texas rallied to score 21 unanswered points in the final period.
Manning, who had a quiet first half, finished the game with 196 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Early in the game, Texas struggled to establish momentum offensively. In the first quarter, a deep pass from Manning intended for wide receiver Cam Coleman was intercepted by Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain. Later in the second quarter, a potential touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo was dropped by the receiver.
Ohio State extended its lead to 23-3 with a field goal in the third quarter. However, the tide turned in the fourth quarter. Manning connected with Wingo for a touchdown to ignite the comeback. Running back Hollywood Smothers, who led Texas with 74 rushing yards, scored a rushing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to six points.
An opportunity for Ohio State to extend their lead was missed when kicker Connor Hawkins failed to convert a 45-yard field goal late in the game. This opened the door for Texas. The Longhorns drove down the field against a fatigued Buckeyes defense, with Smothers scoring his second touchdown to tie the game with under a minute remaining. Kicker Gianni Spetic's successful extra point gave Texas the lead, which their defense held to secure the win.
"I was so proud of our guys. It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way to win, that’s what good teams do," Manning said after the game.
With the victory, Texas moves to 2-0 on the season. The Longhorns are scheduled to play Texas-San Antonio next. Ohio State, now 1-1, will return home to face Kent State.