Top-ranked Longhorns lose after worst offensive showing in four years
The Texas Longhorns had a tough test at the start of the NCAA season, travelling to reigning champions Ohio State Buckeyes.
The reigning champions Ohio State Buckeyes got off to a winning start in the 2025 NCAA season and put down a marker.
The Buckeyes beat the Texas Longhorns, the No. 1 team in the country, 14-7 on Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns were named top of AP’s preseason rankings for the first time in team history and boasted expected Heisman Trophy-contender Arch Mannning at quarterback.
The Buckeyes edged ahead in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from CJ Donaldson. They added a second through Carnell Tate in the fourth quarter, before Manning found Parker Livingston to halve the deficit with less than four minutes remaining on the clock.
Manning, playing his first game since being named start QB for the Longhorns, finished with a 17/30 passing record and just 170 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception.
Nevertheless Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian urgent calm, insisted that Manning will show his quality over the course of the season.
He told reporters: “The expectations were out of control on the outside, but I’d say let’s finish the book before we judge it. This is one chapter and we have a long season to play.”
The opening day trip to Ohio State will likely be the toughest game that the Longhorns face across the regular season and there are easier opponents to come for Manning. Next up, the Longhorns host the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday, September 6.
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