Ohio State loses 24-23 to Texas after surrendering 20-point fourth-quarter lead

Ohio State fell 24-23 to Texas on Saturday after leading by 20 points early in the fourth quarter. Coach Ryan Day said the Buckeyes must "take accountability, and we have to get this thing fixed," after the loss. Texas scored twice in the final minutes, including a one-yard touchdown with 1:23 left, to secure the win.

The defeat was the first time a No. 1 AP-ranked team has rallied from a 17-point deficit since 2003. Texas completed three consecutive fourth-quarter touchdown drives and stopped Ohio State on three fourth-quarter attempts.

Day, whose record at Ohio State is 83-13, has seen six of his 13 losses involve the Buckeyes surrendering a second-half lead. Since becoming head coach in 2019, Ohio State has been involved in 14 games decided by seven points or fewer, posting a 6-8 record in those contests.

Critics highlighted several factors in the loss: a decline in quarterback Julian Sayin’s completion rate after halftime, two second-half fumbles, missed field goals, and an inability to run the ball effectively, with the Buckeyes averaging three yards per carry. Center Carson Hinzman said the team "really just beat ourselves."

Despite the setback, the Buckeyes remain in contention for the College Football Playoff, with a schedule that includes Indiana, USC, Oregon and Michigan. Hinzman added that "everything we want to do is still in front of us."