What's happened
Texas orchestrates a fourth-quarter rally led by Manning to erase a 20-point deficit, toppling No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 in Austin. Manning throws for 196 yards with a TD; Smothers scores the go-ahead rushing TD as Texas completes the comeback and grabs a signature win for coach Sarkisian.
What's behind the headline?
Turning point and implications
- Texas has shifted momentum with a late surge, signaling a potential shift in national title contention.
- Manning’s leadership during the final drives has quieted early-season questions about his performance.
- Sarkisian solidifies his reputation for big-game readiness, even as questions linger about consistency in other high-stakes games.
What to watch next
- Can Texas sustain the momentum against UTSA?
- How will Ohio State rebound and respond in subsequent tests?
How we got here
Texas has been building toward this moment under coach Steve Sarkisian, who has taken the program to CFP semifinals but has yet to win a national title. The win against a top-ranked Ohio State extends Texas’ ascent in the SEC era.
Our analysis
Go deeper
- What does this win mean for Texas’ national title hopes?
- How will Manning be evaluated after this performance?
- What adjustments did Texas make on defense in the second half?
More on these topics
-
Ohio State Buckeyes - Intercollegiate sports teams of Ohio State University
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the athletic teams that represent Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio. The athletic programs are named after the colloquial term for people from the state of Ohio and after the state tree, the Ohio Buckeye.
-
Arch Manning - American american football quarterback
Archibald Charles Manning is an American football quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. He is a member of the Manning family.
-
Texas Longhorns - Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Texas
The Texas Longhorns are the athletic teams representing the University of Texas at Austin. The teams are sometimes referred to as the Horns and take their name from Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the..
-
Cam Coleman - American football player
Cameron Coleman (born August 14, 2006) is an American college football wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns. He previously played for the Auburn Tigers. He was the #5-ranked recruit in the 2024 recruiting class.
-
Steve Sarkisian - American football coach
Stephen Ambrose Sarkisian is an American football coach and former player who is the current offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
-
Texas - US State
Texas is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population.