A year after losing their season opener to Ohio State, Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns turned the tables in Saturday’s rematch, scoring the final 20 points to stun the top-ranked Buckeyes 24-23.
Texas erased a 20-point deficit despite a string of costly drops by its highly regarded receivers, including one play that improbably resulted in an Ohio State interception.
It was far from a flawless performance, but the Longhorns moved to 2-0 while Manning may have gained an early advantage over Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Sayin finished 17 of 32 for 278 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Manning threw for 196 yards on 23-of-37 passing, adding a touchdown and an interception. Most significantly, the grandson of Arch Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning directed the decisive 12-play, 73-yard march, which ended with Hollywood Smothers’ second touchdown of the night.
‘We got a bunch of good players, a lot of leaders,’ Manning told ESPN after the game. ‘It’s a fun night.
‘I had nightmares when I came [to Columbus] last year, so we got a good win tonight,’ he continued. ‘Have a good night, Austin. Thank you so much.’
Arch Manning flashes the ‘Hook ’em Horns’ hand signal following Texas’ comeback victory over Ohio State.
Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo drops a pass while facing pressure from Ohio State’s Devin Sanchez.
Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian celebrates the victory over Ohio State by singing The Eyes of Texas.
Manning’s excitement continued into the postgame press conference, where he conceded that he did ‘not want to come in here after a loss… to Ohio State again.’
Media on hand were quick to take notice.
‘That was the most chipper Arch Manning has been in a media setting in a long, long time,’ On3’s Tyler Horka wrote on X. ‘He’s fired up. Rightfully so.
‘He just beat the No. 1 team in the country and came back from down 20 points to do it.’
Saturday’s game marked the first time since 2004 an top-ranked team in the AP poll lost after leading by 20 points or more in the fourth. No. 1 teams had been 197-0 under those circumstances before Texas’ comeback, according to the Longhorns program.
It was Manning’s touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo early in the fourth that started the comeback. Smothers scored on a 1-yard run with 7:14 to play before Ohio State drove for what could have been a clinching field goal.
Connor Hawkins, who had earlier made three field goals, missed from 45 yards, setting up Texas’ winning drive.
MORE STORY: Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Still Faces Uncertainty, Report Says
Texas’ Arch Manning is sacked for a loss by Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
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
The gritty win could also give Texas a claim at No. 1.
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.
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, including Matthew McConaughey who was on hand on Saturday, 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.