On September 12, 2026, Texas staged a 20-point fourth-quarter comeback to defeat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23, marking the Longhorns’ fourth-largest team comeback in history and a seismic shift in the college football landscape.
Texas erased a 20-point deficit in the final 15 minutes, scoring 21 unanswered points to secure the victory. The Longhorns’ offense, led by quarterback Arch Manning, turned things around after a sluggish first half. Manning completed 16 of 23 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown in the second half, including a critical fourth-down conversion to Emaree Winston in the third quarter. The game-winning touchdown came from Hollywood Smothers, who leaped over Ohio State defenders to score with seconds left (Saturday Down South).
Ohio State’s struggles were multifaceted. The Buckeyes’ run game, which managed just 94 yards on 31 carries, failed to sustain drives, particularly after building a 23-3 lead. Their quarterback, Julian Sayin, shifted from a Heisman-caliber first half (75% completion, 192 yards, one touchdown) to a dismal second half (6 of 16, 86 yards). A critical missed connection between Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith in the fourth quarter exemplified the Buckeyes’ unraveling (CBS Sports).
Breaking down Texas' stunning 20-point comeback win vs. Ohio
Ohio State’s anemic run game was a central issue. The Buckeyes ran the ball 31 times for 94 yards, with their longest run of the game being 11 yards from Bo Jackson. No other player had a run of more than eight yards. The lack of a ground game cost Ohio State points on at least two occasions: a nine-yard loss on a first-quarter drive that left them at the Texas 4-yard line and a one-yard gain on fourth-and-2 at the Texas 13-yard line in the second quarter. After a Connor Hawkins field goal with 8:09 left in the third quarter, Ohio State used just 2:35 in their next two drives, rushing three times for seven yards (Source 1).
Defensive Dominance and Missed Opportunities
Texas’ defense, spearheaded by a stifling front seven, limited Ohio State to just three points after halftime. The Buckeyes converted only 6 of 14 third downs and were held to 102 yards of offense in the second half. Ohio State’s kicking woes were also pivotal: kicker Connor Hawkins missed a 45-yard field goal attempt with 4:16 remaining, a shot that could have sealed the game (CBS Sports).
Texas’s offense struggled for much of the night, with miscues from Raleek Brown, Cam Coleman, and Ryan Wingo resulting in turnovers and dropped touchdowns. Arch Manning wasn’t particularly efficient for much of the night but led three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to give Texas what is perhaps its best win of the Steve Sarkisian era (Source 3). The Longhorns’ defense was dominant all night long, particularly in the second half, holding Ohio State to 3 points after halftime and 102 yards of offense. Jeremiah Smith had 8 catches for 164 yards, but Ohio State accomplished little else in the passing game (Source 3).
Implications for Rankings and the National Championship
Texas football vs Ohio State game score
The win propelled Texas as a candidate to jump to No. 1 in the updated AP Top 25 rankings this week, while Ohio State tumbled in college football rankings. Analysts noted that the victory solidified Texas as a leading contender for the national championship. Texas has shown they can thrive under pressure (Saturday Down South).
Game Context and Series Standings
The game took place at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns improved to 2-0 on the season, while Ohio State fell to 1-1. The No. 4 Longhorns had lost both of their meetings with the No. 1 Buckeyes over the past two seasons, primarily because a punchless offense produced as many turnovers as touchdowns in a 28-14 loss in a 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal and 14-7 setback in last year’s opener in Columbus, Ohio (Source 2).
Player and Team Stakes
Texas scores 21 unanswered points to complete epic comeback
Arch Manning’s performance was pivotal for Texas. Despite a slow start, he orchestrated three fourth-quarter touchdown drives. Manning’s ability to adapt under pressure highlighted his growth. For Ohio State, Julian Sayin’s second-half struggles underscored the team’s reliance on his arm, which failed to deliver when it mattered most. Sayin completed 6 of 16 passes in the second half, with a critical missed connection to Jeremiah Smith on a third-down play (Source 1).
Coach Reactions and Team Dynamics
League Context and Future Implications
The win positioned Texas as a leading contender for the national championship.
