Arch Manning makes fourth-down magic in Texas' big comeback over Ohio State: 'We couldn't lose to them again'

After a rough start reminiscent of last year's season opener against Ohio State, Arch Manning found his rhythm behind a couple of fourth-down conversions.

The Texas quarterback led the fourth-ranked Longhorns to a 24-23 comeback victory Saturday over the top-ranked Buckeyes, who had led 23-3 entering the fourth quarter.

"We couldn’t lose to them again," Manning said. "I had nightmares about our game last year. I’m glad to get a win tonight and have a good night in Austin."

Manning completed 23 of 37 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown, and his two biggest throws came in the clutch.

On fourth and 9 with 2:21 left in the third quarter from their 42, the Longhorns went for it, and Manning connected with Emaree Winston for a 9-yard completition.

After a 3-yard TD pass from Manning to Ryan Wingo cut the lead to 23-10, Texas faced a fourth and 6 from its 32 with 11:45 left in the game and gambled again.

Manning completed a 12-yard pass to Emmett Mosley for the first down.

Nine players later, Hollywood Smothers scored on a 1-yard rush to cut Ohio State's lead to 23-17.

The Buckeyes tried to answer, but an eight-play, 47-yard drive ended with a 45-yard missed field goal by Connor Hawkins.

The Longhorns then capped the scoring with a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ended with another 1-yard TD run by Smothers with 25 seconds left.

"I’m so proud of our guys in all three phases," Manning said after the Longhorns' biggest comeback in 19 years. "We weren’t very pretty, but we found a way to win. That’s what good teams do. Just felt good. We got a bunch of good players. A lot of leaders. This was a fun night."

Ohio State fell despite a Heisman Trophy-worthy performance by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who caught eight passes for 164 yards and a TD.

After struggling against Ohio State in last year's opener, Manning seemed to enter with some momentum from the Longhorns' Week 1 victory over Texas State.

But the performance didn't carry over as Manning's first pass immediately led to a fumble by running back Raleek Brown. Manning's second pass led to an interception as Cam Coleman lost the ball while attempting a diving catch on a deep throw. The ball bounced up and into the arms of Jaylen McClain, who had been beaten on the play.

In the second quarter, Manning threw to a wide-open Wingo, who dropped what could have been an easy touchdown.

But Manning also missed some open receivers as he failed to complete his first six passes of longer than 15 yards.