Manning leads Texas to historic comeback over No. 1 Ohio State
Texas erased a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit to stun top-ranked Ohio State 24-23, with Arch Manning directing three touchdown drives. Hollywood Smothers scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 25 seconds left. It was Texas' first home win over a No. 1 team in 76 years.
Texas' comeback marked the program's first home victory over a top-ranked opponent since 1950, a drought spanning generations of Longhorns fans. The decisive sequence began when Ohio State's kicker pushed a 45-yard attempt wide left with just over four minutes remaining, giving Manning and the offense one final opportunity from their own 27-yard line. Manning completed four of five passes for 48 yards on the winning drive, which covered 73 yards in 12 plays before Smothers' leaping score. The victory also represented a milestone for head coach Steve Sarkisian, who had previously struggled to secure statement wins against elite national programs during his tenure in Austin.
This result could reshape perceptions of Texas as a legitimate national title contender under Sarkisian, potentially influencing recruiting battles and playoff seeding conversations throughout the season. For Ohio State, the loss may raise questions about late-game management and could affect the Buckeyes' margin for error in conference play. The dramatic finish also reinforces college football's appeal as a spectacle, drawing casual viewers and boosting engagement for the sport during a period of conference realignment and playoff expansion.