In a much-anticipated Week 1 showdown, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes edged out preseason No. 1 Texas Longhorns, 14–7, in a gritty, defense-dominated contest at Ohio Stadium. The matchup served as a rematch of their December semifinal in the College Football Playoff, but this time as the season opener.
Defensive Mastery Across the Board
Ohio State’s defense set the tone early, stifling Texas’s high-profile offense. As the first half unfolded, Texas mustered just one first down and a mere 3 yards per play. Meanwhile, Buckeyes’ cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr. made a pivotal interception, giving Ohio State prime field position and swinging the momentum.
In a rare sight for top-5 matchups, the two teams combined for minimal scoring in the first half—a defensive slugfest that harkened back to eras long past.
Offensive Highlights Amid a Defensive Battle
Ohio State was the first to break through, courtesy of a 1-yard rushing touchdown by CJ Donaldson Jr., capping an 80-yard drive and giving the Buckeyes a 7–0 lead before the break.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Carnell Tate on a 40-yard scoring pass, extending the lead to 14–0. Notably, that single completion accounted for more yardage than Texas’s Arch Manning had all game up to that point.
Texas’s Struggles & Arch Manning’s Rough Debut
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, one of the most anticipated starts of the season, struggled throughout. In the first half, Manning completed just 5 of 10 passes for 26 yards. His passes were off-target, and he was under constant pressure
Though he did manage a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Parker Livingstone, it wasn’t enough to overcome Ohio State’s defense. Manning ended with one passing TD, one interception, and just 167–170 passing yards.
Social media weighed in harshly, pointing to an inability to live up to the hype surrounding his debut.
What This Means Moving Forward
- Ohio State starts their season 1–0 with a signature win over a top-tier opponent, affirming their status among the elite. A dominant defense that capitalized on key turnovers sets a confident tone for what’s to come.
- Texas faces urgent questions. Their offense underwhelmed across the board, especially in red-zone inefficiency. Arch Manning’s debut raised concerns despite the program’s lofty expectations
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