Texas could not have started Saturday night much worse, and somehow, neither of its first two turnovers felt like Texas had actually done much wrong. On the Longhorns' first offensive snap, Arch Manning found Raleek Brown in the flat, but Brown had the ball punched out before he could get down. Ohio State recovered at the Texas 18, although the Texas defense held strong and forced the Buckeyes to settle for three.
Then came one of the strangest interceptions you'll see all season. On Texas' next possession, Manning saw Cam Coleman wide open deep downfield and gave him a chance to make a huge play. Coleman laid out for the ball and got both hands on it, but when he hit the ground, the ball popped out and straight into the air. Ohio State defensive back Jaylen McClain, who had been beaten on the play, was in the right place at the right time and came down with an Interception. That makes two Texas possessions, two turnovers. Briefly sucking the life out of a PACKED DKR and with a loaded guest list of celebrity and HS prospect visitors.
Neither really told the story of how Texas was playing, but both helped put the Longhorns in an early hole. And once Ohio State had the lead, Jeremiah Smith started showing why he has a legitimate case to be the No. 1 overall pick whenever he decides to enter the NFL Draft. Smith was nearly impossible for the Texas secondary to contain. He caught six passes for 110 yards in the first half alone, including a 19-yard touchdown with just 10 seconds remaining before halftime. That score sent Texas into the locker room down 20-3. Smith eventually finished with eight catches for 164 yards and a touchdown, accounting for more than half of Ohio State's passing production and showing why he is considered one of the most talented players in college football.
Ohio State added another field goal in the third quarter, and Texas entered the fourth quarter staring at a 23-3 deficit. The scoreboard looked ugly, but the game wasn't quite as one-sided as the score suggested. Texas' defense had repeatedly been put in difficult situations and continued finding ways to keep Ohio State from completely putting the game away. The Buckeyes had opportunities to turn the lead into a blowout, but Texas forced them to settle for field goals.
Those stops didn't look particularly important when Texas was down 20. They would end up being the reason a comeback was still possible. Then the fourth quarter started. Manning and the Texas offense finally found the rhythm they had been searching for all night. The Longhorns opened the quarter with a 15-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Manning finding Ryan Wingo for a three-yard touchdown.
23-10.
The Texas defense got the ball back, and the offense went right back to work. This time, Texas marched 72 yards in 13 plays. Hollywood Smothers finished the drive from one yard out, and suddenly a game that had looked over minutes earlier was down to one possession.
23-17.
Ohio State had a chance to create some breathing room on its next possession, but after driving the field and suddenly stalled on an absolutely shanked 45-yard field goal. Texas got the football back with 4:16 remaining. Seventy-three yards stood between the Longhorns and one of the biggest comebacks in program history. Manning never looked overwhelmed by the moment. Texas methodically moved down the field behind Manning, Smothers, Raleek Brown, and several important catches from Emmett Mosley V. There was no desperation. The Longhorns simply kept moving the chains.
Eventually, Texas found itself at the Ohio State one-yard line with 30 seconds remaining; Hollywood Smothers took the handoff and hurled himself over the lineman and across the goal line. Touchdown Texas. Gianni Spetic's extra point went through.
Texas 24. Ohio State 23.
A team that had entered the fourth quarter trailing the No. 1 team in the country by 20 points was suddenly in front. Ohio State still had one final opportunity, but the Texas defense had one more play to make. On the final snap of the game, Julian Sayin tried to push the ball downfield. Graceson Littleton was waiting for the interception. Ballgame.
Final: Texas 24. Ohio State 23.
A team that had entered the fourth quarter trailing the No. 1 team in the country by 20 points was suddenly in front. Ohio State still had one final opportunity, but the Texas defense had one more play to make. On the final snap of the game, Julian Sayin tried to push the ball downfield. Graceson Littleton was waiting for the interception. Ballgame.
QB Arch Manning's final stat line doesn't fully explain what happened Saturday night. He finished 23-of-37 for 195 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but when Texas needed him most, he delivered. In the fourth quarter, Manning completed eight of 11 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown while leading three consecutive touchdown drives. RB Hollywood Smothers finished with 74 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the fourth quarter. Mosley led Texas with five receptions for 65 yards, while Wingo caught the touchdown that finally brought DKR back to life.
The Longhorns defense deserves just as much credit. Ohio State finished with 372 total yards, and Smith had his way for much of the night, but when the fourth quarter arrived, the Buckeyes didn't score another point. Texas didn't play a perfect game; they turned the ball over twice, struggled to finish drives for three quarters, and spent most of the night chasing Ohio State on the scoreboard. But they never let the game get completely out of reach. That made what happened in the fourth quarter possible.
Before Saturday night, AP No. 1 teams had gone 197-0 since 2004 when leading by at least 20 points in the fourth quarter. Texas made it 197-1. It was also the Longhorns' first victory over an AP No. 1 team since 1950. For three quarters, Ohio State looked like the No. 1 team in the country. For the final 15 minutes, Texas looked like the team that wanted it more. And now they are the number one team in the country themselves.
"Both teams need to hit the jugs machine and fumble drills" - GCA
