Ohio State Stuns No. 1 Texas as Arch Manning Struggles in Road Debut
The college football season kicked off with fireworks, and the spotlight was squarely on Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns. Ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time since 2025 preseason polls were released, Texas entered Columbus with high expectations. But it was the Ohio State Buckeyes, sitting at No. 3, who stole the show with a gritty 14-7 victory that left the Longhorns searching for answers.
The game never really allowed Texas to find its rhythm. Manning, making just his third career start and his very first on the road, looked every bit like a young quarterback trying to navigate one of the toughest environments in college football. Before the fourth quarter began, he had only 38 passing yards, and the Longhorns’ offense simply could not get any traction against a swarming Ohio State defense.
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The Buckeyes struck first in the second quarter with a short rushing touchdown, holding that slim 7-0 edge well into the final period. Then came the turning point. Quarterback Julian Sayin, making his debut for Ohio State, connected with Carnell Tate on a beautiful 40-yard touchdown strike that stretched the lead to 14-0. With the way the Texas offense was sputtering, that moment felt like the dagger.
Texas tried to respond, and Manning briefly showed flashes of the talent that made him a preseason Heisman favorite. He finished 17-of-30 for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but much of that production came late. His lone score, a 32-yard strike to Parker Livingstone with just over three minutes left, gave the Longhorns some life. But every time Texas reached a critical fourth down, Ohio State’s defense held firm. A goal-line stand in the third quarter, where the Longhorns were stuffed inside the 1-yard line, symbolized their frustrations.
Mistakes compounded those struggles. Manning threw what appeared to be a second interception, only for it to be overturned on review. Several passes were either late or off target, including a crucial third-down throw behind Ryan Wingo that could have extended Texas’ final drive. Meanwhile, the offensive line, replacing four starters, committed costly penalties and couldn’t provide the push needed against the Buckeyes’ front.
On the other side, Ohio State wasn’t exactly dazzling on offense. Sayin played it safe, completing 13-of-20 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown, while the running game mustered only 77 yards on 34 attempts. Yet it was enough, because their defense controlled the tempo and frustrated Texas at every turn. Under new coordinator Matt Patricia, the Buckeyes showed that even after losing key pieces from last year’s national championship squad, they remain as tough as ever.
In the end, the game served as a reminder: early-season matchups often expose teams still figuring themselves out. Texas may have the name recognition and the star quarterback, but Saturday night proved they have plenty of growing to do. Ohio State, meanwhile, showed why championship DNA doesn’t fade easily. If these two programs meet again in the playoff, the battle could look very different—but for now, it’s the Buckeyes who delivered the first big statement of 2025.
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