Ohio State vs Texas: Winners, Losers from Longhorns’ Stunning 24-23 Comeback Win over Buckeyes
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Ohio State Buckeyes looked like the unquestioned No. 1 team in college football for three quarters on Saturday night at DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, leading 23-3 entering the fourth quarter. That’s when the college football world got the moment it’s been waiting to see, with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning sending the home crowd into pandemonium with 21 unanswered points in an incredible fourth-quarter comeback for the win.
Let’s dive into our winners and losers from Ohio State vs Texas.
Winner: Jay Timmons, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes
It takes a special talent to earn playing time on this Buckeyes defense as a true freshman. Jay Timmons, a 247Sports four-star recruit, showcased immediately on Saturday night why the Ohio State coaching staff is so high on him. A week after recording two pass deflections in his collegiate debut, the 5-foot-11 cornerback created his first turnover on the first play of the game. While fighting through a block, Timmons’ hit on Raleek Brown popped the football out and the 18-year-old then recovered it at the Longhorns’ 16-yard line. It’s pretty clear that Ohio State has another emerging star in its secondary.
Loser: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas Longhorns
After his running back gifted points to Ohio State with a fumble on the opening series, Texas quarterback Arch Manning came back out for the second drive looking to answer right back. Unfortunately, one of his top offensive weapons let him down again. On 1st-and-10 from the 38-yard line, Manning launched a deep ball into the outstreched arms of wide receiver Cam Coleman. What would’ve been a big play to set the Longhorns offense up inside the red zone instead went through Coleman’s hands and bounced off his body as he hit the turf, with the football bouncing up and getting picked out of mid-air by Jaylen McClain. Ohio State once again took advantage of the turnover, with an 81-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
Winner: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes
After getting shutdown by Texas in their head-to-head matchup last season (43 receiving yards on 6 receptions, Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith showed on Saturday night why he’s the best player in college football. The standout 6-foot-4 offensive weapon’s ball tracking, route running and body control were on full display in the first half (110 yards and a touchdown on 6 receptions). Smith (164 receiving yards on 8 receptions) was Ohio State’s passing offense tonight and he probably would’ve had a 200-yard performance if quarterback Julian Sayin could make a few more on-target throws.
Loser: Ryan Wingo, WR, Texas Longhorns
It was a tale of two receiving corps for Ohio State vs Texas. While Jeremiah Smith accounted for 57.3 percent of Julian Sayin’s passing yards and half his completions in the first half, Longhorns wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman cost Arch Manning dearly. Midway through the second quarter, Manning hit his No. 2 receiver in stride for a would-be touchdown. Once again, however, the football went right through the hands of the Longhorns’ playmaker. Wingo dropped the wide-open touchdown and Texas ultimately had to settle for a field goal. The 17-point halftime deficit for Texas was truly caused by a series of stunning errors by Manning’s supporting cast.
Winner: Arch Manning, QB, Texas Longhorns
Ignore the box score. On a night when his top receivers let him down, taking at least 100 passing yards and a touchdown off the scoreboard, Texas quarterback Arch Manning still had a signature moment. The Longhorns’ hope for a monumental win seemed all but extinguished trailing 23-3 entering the third quarter. Arch made Peyton Manning proud with an unforgettable fourth-quarter comeback, leading three touchdown drives of 70-plus yards
Loser: Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Julian Sayin is not the guy for Ohio State. There are a wide variety of quarterbacks in college football. Sayin is clearly not in the tier of passers who can carry a team to victory. He was under pressure plenty on Saturday night, and the Buckeyes’ offensive line and play-calling should shoulder some of the blame for getting shut out in the fourth quarter. However, it is probably telling that this passing game is limited by Sayin’s below-average physical tools. Even on a night where the Buckeyes defense generated two takeaways, Sayin rarely took advantage of his opportunities. He is Ohio State’s ceiling.
Winner: Bo Jackson, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes
In 2025, the Longhorns defense allowed just 103.9 rushing yards per game and a 3.1 yards-per-carry average to opponents. That’s what makes the performance tonight by Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson particularly impressive. He served as the workhorse in Ohio State’s backfield in Austin, consistently turning his opportunities into chunks of yards. Jackson finished Saturday with 74 rushing yards, even with his longest carry only going for 11 yards, and he tacked on 37 receiving yards on 4 receptions. If not for Jackson and Smith, we’re not sure the Buckeyes even find the red zone tonight.
Winner: Texas Longhorns RBs
Arch Manning will rightfully get a ton of credit for this fourth-quarter comeback. What stood out equally as much in Ohio State vs Texas was what Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown did in the second half. Smothers (103 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns) more than made up for his lost fumble on his first touch of the game and Brown (54 yards on 10 carries) came up clutch in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns truly have a well-balanced offense, finally, and it makes them a national championship contender.
Related Headlines
- College Football Week 2: 12 Winners, Losers from College Football Games Today
- College Football Games Today: Week 2 CFB Schedule & Start Times, Including Ohio State Vs. Texas
- 2026 Big Ten QB1 Rankings For Week 2: Where Does Penn State’s Rocco Becht Land?
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos