The Texas Longhorns mounted an incredible comeback on Saturday night, overcoming a 20-point halftime deficit to defeat the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 24-23 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. This victory marks Texas’ first win over Ohio State since 2009.
After trailing 20-3 at halftime and 23-3 heading into the fourth quarter, the Longhorns scored three consecutive touchdowns in the final period, showcasing their resilience and determination. Running back Hollywood Smothers played a pivotal role, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a crucial 1-yard run with just 25 seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Arch Manning also contributed significantly, completing 23 of 37 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown.
Texas’ comeback began with a 3-yard touchdown reception by Ryan Wingo, followed by Smothers’ first touchdown that narrowed the gap to six points with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. Smothers finished the night with 74 rushing yards on 21 carries and added 29 receiving yards, proving instrumental in Texas’ offensive resurgence.
The Longhorns’ defense was equally impressive, shutting out the Buckeyes in the fourth quarter. Ohio State’s kicker, Connor Hawkins, missed a critical 45-yard field-goal attempt in the final minutes, allowing Texas another opportunity to secure their victory. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin completed 17 of 32 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown.
Despite finishing the game with 336 total yards, including 140 rushing yards, Texas managed to capitalize on their defensive performance and strategic plays. In contrast, Ohio State recorded 372 total yards but committed one turnover, while Texas had two turnovers of their own.
This thrilling win moves Texas to a 2-0 record this season, while Ohio State experiences its first defeat, ending their perfect start. The victory also levels the all-time series between these two storied programs at 3-3, creating an exciting narrative for future matchups.
