Texas rallies with 24-23 win over Ohio State after fourth-quarter surge
The No. 4 Texas Longhorns overcame a 23-10 halftime deficit to defeat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23, scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the final quarter.
Texas erased a 13-point halftime gap to edge Ohio State 24-23 after scoring three straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns, led by senior quarterback Arch Manning, trailed 23-10 early in the final period but responded with a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Cam Coleman, followed by a short-range score by senior running back Hollywood Smothers and a decisive plunge by Smothers from the one-yard line. Ohio State’s final field-goal attempt missed, and a late interception by sophomore defensive back Graceson Littleton secured the comeback.
The Buckeyes had built a 23-10 lead through a 10-0 first-quarter drive capped by a touchdown run from junior running back Bo Jackson and a 13-point third-quarter surge that included a 43-yard reception by senior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State’s kicker Connor Hawkins converted three field goals, the last from 45 yards, but missed a 45-yard attempt in the closing minutes.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who entered the game 0-5 against Ohio State in the past two seasons, praised his team’s resilience. > "The guys showed tremendous heart and never gave up," he said after the game.
The victory marked Texas’s first win over a top-ranked opponent this season and kept the Longhorns in contention for a conference title, while Ohio State fell short of extending its unbeaten run.