Texas Upsets No. 1 Ohio State with Dramatic Fourth-Quarter Comeback

Steve Sarkisian’s Slow Start and Historic Rally

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian engineered a dramatic turnaround after a difficult opening sequence in front of a crowd of 105,044. The Longhorns’ first two possessions ended disastrously with a fumble on the game’s opening play that gave Ohio State a red-zone opportunity, followed by an interception by Buckeyes defensive back Jaylen McClain. Despite falling behind 20-0, Sarkisian converted twice on fourth down from his own side of the field, including a risky fourth-and-9 conversion that kept Texas’s comeback alive.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day drew criticism for opting against a field goal attempt that could have extended his team’s lead, as well as allowing Texas to bleed the game clock during the decisive final drive. The win improved Sarkisian’s record against top-10 opponents to 7-9.

Arch Manning and the Fourth-Quarter Surge

Quarterback Arch Manning orchestrated the game-winning offensive push, finishing the contest with 177 passing yards. After throwing for just 76 yards through the first three quarters, Manning added 132 yards in the final frame to mirror his fourth-quarter performance against the Buckeyes from the previous year.

The comeback sealed the program’s sixth win against a No. 1-ranked opponent in its 133-year history. Prior to Saturday, the Longhorns’ last victory against the nation’s top team was a 41-35 win over Oklahoma on October 11, 2008, at the State Fair.

Jeremiah Smith and Key Individual Performances

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith established his presence on the field with eight catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. Conversely, Texas transfer receiver Cam Coleman managed just two catches for 19 yards and committed a costly first-quarter fumble that resulted in an interception.

Senator Ted Cruz, whose presence on ESPN’s GameDay set coincided with a historical 3-19 record for teams hosting him since 2017—a trend the Longhorns successfully bucked with their late-game heroics.