Texas rallies from 20-point deficit to beat Ohio State 24-23
No. 3 Texas overcame a 20-point halftime deficit to defeat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23, highlighted by quarterback Arch Manning's game-winning drive in the final minutes.
Texas rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 in a matchup that featured a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback. Quarterback Arch Manning led the Longhorns on a 73-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run by Hollywood Smothers with 25 seconds remaining, giving Texas the lead.
Manning completed 23 of 37 passes for 196 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and added 22 rushing yards. Texas scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter after trailing 23-3 entering the period.
The victory could lift Texas to the top of the coaches poll and bolster the SEC’s standing in the playoff selection discussion. Ohio State, which had dominated the first half with a potent offense led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, was unable to sustain its momentum after halftime, allowing the Longhorns to mount their comeback.
"We stayed focused and executed when it mattered most," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said after the game.
Ohio State’s defense, which had limited Texas to 336 total yards for most of the contest, faltered late, conceding 236 yards on Texas’s final three drives. Smith finished with eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown, but did not record a catch after the third quarter.
The loss leaves Ohio State with a chance to recover in upcoming Big Ten games, while Texas looks to build on the win as the season progresses.