Austin, TX — Texas pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent college football history Saturday night, overcoming a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to knock off No. 1 Ohio State 24-23.
The Longhorns appeared headed for a disappointing night after falling behind 23-3 through three quarters. Instead, Arch Manning and the Texas offense came alive when it mattered most, engineering a furious rally that ended with Hollywood Smothers scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run with just 25 seconds remaining.
The Texas’ 20-point fourth-quarter comeback is the largest fourth-quarter rally against an AP No. 1 team that resulted in a victory.
The win moved No. 4 Texas to 2-0 and gave the Longhorns their first victory over Ohio State in three meetings over the past three seasons.
Manning Leads the Charge
Texas needed nearly everything to go right in the final 15 minutes, and Manning delivered.
His fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo provided the spark Texas desperately needed. Smothers then added a 1-yard touchdown with 7:14 remaining to cut further into Ohio State’s advantage.
The Buckeyes had one final opportunity to regain control.
Ohio State drove into position for what would have been a potentially decisive field goal, but Connor Hawkins, who had already connected on three kicks, pushed a 45-yard attempt wide.
That miss gave Texas possession and an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The Longhorns took full advantage.
Manning made several critical plays with both his arm and legs during the final stretch, repeatedly moving the chains before Texas eventually reached the end zone for the winning score.
“When that happened, I knew it was our time,” Manning said. “I’m really proud of the way we responded. We could have let that thing go. It’s a testament to our coaches and our culture.”
Manning finished with 196 passing yards and completed 11 of his final 15 attempts.
For a quarterback who entered the season facing enormous expectations, the comeback represented a defining moment.
“We just had to get something going,” Manning said. “I always knew we were going to be in it in the end. I’m so glad we won.”
Ohio State Lets a Big Lead Slip Away
For most of the night, Ohio State looked like the team in complete control.
Julian Sayin threw for 278 yards, while Jeremiah Smith turned in a spectacular performance with eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown.
The Buckeyes led 23-3 heading into the fourth quarter and appeared poised to hand Texas another loss in their recent series.
Instead, the offense stalled when the game was on the line.
Ohio State managed only one field goal after halftime, allowing Texas to slowly erase what had looked like an insurmountable deficit.
With the Buckeyes trailing by one late in the fourth quarter, Sayin was forced to attempt a desperation pass on the final play. Texas intercepted it, sending the Longhorns onto the field in celebration.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged afterward that his team had failed to finish the game.
“I felt, you know, we had them on the ropes and didn’t finish,” Day said. “So we got to go back and figure out why that was.”
A Statement Win for Texas
The victory could have major implications for Texas beyond simply improving its record.
The Longhorns missed the postseason at 9-3 last season, including a loss to Ohio State. This time, Texas erased a massive deficit against the nation’s top-ranked team and potentially established itself as a legitimate contender for the No. 1 ranking.
It was also arguably the biggest regular-season victory of Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas.
Sarkisian praised his team’s resilience after watching the Longhorns nearly unravel early before producing one of the biggest comebacks in program history.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team with the heart, the desire and the fight,” Sarkisian said.
The teams have now met in each of the past three seasons, including a College Football Playoff matchup during the 2024 season. With both programs expected to remain in contention nationally, another meeting could be ahead.
Sarkisian even told Day after the game that he hoped the teams would meet again.
“I told Ryan after the game, I hope to see you again,” Sarkisian said.
The Takeaway
Ohio State: Jeremiah Smith finally delivered a huge performance against Texas after being relatively quiet in the previous two meetings. However, several late opportunities disappeared, and Sayin acknowledged that some throws intended for Smith should have been completed. The Buckeyes’ inability to sustain their offense after halftime ultimately proved costly.
Texas: The Longhorns looked out of rhythm for much of the first three quarters, dealing with dropped passes, missed opportunities and turnovers. But they refused to fold. Wingo’s fourth-quarter touchdown helped ignite the comeback, while Manning’s playmaking and Smothers’ late touchdown completed one of the most improbable rallies Texas has produced in recent memory.
Up Next:
Ohio State: The Buckeyes return home to face Kent State on Sept. 19.
Texas: The Longhorns return home Sept. 19 to take on UTSA.
