Texas Stuns No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 with 21-Point Fourth-Quarter Rally

Texas defeated top-ranked Ohio State 24-23 on Saturday night in Austin, overcoming a 23-3 deficit after three quarters with a 21-0 fourth-quarter surge. Arch Manning directed three touchdown drives in the final period, throwing one scoring pass while Hollywood Smothers rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 30 seconds remaining.

Smothers finished with 74 yards and two scores on 21 carries, and change-of-pace back Raleek Brown added 54 yards on 10 attempts. Texas totaled 141 rushing yards, 67 of which came in the decisive fourth quarter. The victory avenged a 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes in last year's season opener in Columbus.

“Texas' ability to establish a run figures to be just as important a factor in its success this season as how high its quarterback can elevate his game.”

Seventeen NFL franchises sent scouts to evaluate Manning against an elite defense, with the Cleveland Browns among three quarterback-needy teams deploying multiple evaluators. Owner Jimmy Haslam has reportedly tracked the Texas signal-caller for months.

Both teams entered 1-0 after lopsided Week 1 wins: Ohio State routed Ball State 56-3, while Texas dispatched Texas State 59-7 behind Manning's four-touchdown, 305-yard performance. The Buckeyes were seeking their first 2-0 start since capturing the 2025 national championship.

Texas remains home to host UTSA next Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, while Ohio State returns to Columbus to face Kent State at noon ET.