Ohio State Defense Stifles Arch Manning Early, but Texas Responds Late
The highly anticipated season opener between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Ohio State lived up to its billing as one of the marquee matchups of Week 1. Under the lights in a packed Ohio Stadium, the Longhorns’ first step in defending their top ranking came against a hungry Buckeye squad determined to spoil their debut. The game was marked by physical play, momentum swings, and a tale of two halves for quarterback Arch Manning, who endured one of the toughest opening stretches of his young career.
The first half belonged almost entirely to Ohio State’s defense. Manning, widely regarded as the face of Texas football, looked out of sync and under constant duress. In the opening two quarters, he managed only 26 yards passing, completing short throws that never gained traction against a fast, disciplined Buckeye secondary. Every time Manning dropped back, he was greeted with pressure from Ohio State’s relentless pass rush, spearheaded by defensive end JT Tuimoloau and linebacker C.J. Hicks. The front seven collapsed the pocket repeatedly, forcing hurried throws, while corners blanketed the Longhorns’ receivers downfield.
Texas entered the game expecting Manning to stretch the field with his arm, but Ohio State’s game plan disrupted everything. The Buckeyes pressed the receivers at the line, eliminating quick throws, and dropped safeties deep to deny explosive plays. The strategy worked to perfection Manning finished the first half completing just 6-of-13 passes with no completions longer than 9 yards. For a quarterback who thrives on rhythm and confidence, the Buckeyes never allowed him to find either.
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s offense capitalized on its defensive dominance. Quarterback Devin Brown efficiently guided the Buckeyes downfield, mixing short passes with the power running of TreVeyon Henderson. In the first quarter, Henderson punched in a 2-yard touchdown, giving the Buckeyes a 7-0 lead. Later in the second quarter, Brown connected with wideout Carnell Tate for a 32-yard strike, extending the lead to 14-3. With Manning struggling, the Longhorns could only muster a field goal, and they entered halftime trailing 14-3 with serious questions about their offensive identity.
At halftime, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian made critical adjustments. Recognizing that his quarterback was being smothered, he leaned on the ground game to take pressure off Manning. CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue found more room to run in the third quarter, chipping away at the Buckeye front and forcing Ohio State to respect the run. This opened the door for Manning to finally settle down.
The breakthrough came midway through the third quarter when Manning executed a play-action pass, freezing the Buckeye linebackers and hitting receiver Xavier Worthy on a deep post for a 38-yard gain his longest completion of the night. That single play seemed to spark the Texas offense and energize the sideline. A few snaps later, Baxter powered into the end zone to cut the deficit to 14-10.
Ohio State, however, wasn’t about to fold. Brown answered with another sharp drive, capped by a field goal to make it 17-10. The Buckeye defense continued to hound Manning, sacking him twice in the third quarter and keeping him from fully breaking loose. Still, the Longhorns had weathered the storm, and Manning’s confidence slowly began to rebuild.
The fourth quarter turned into a battle of wills. Texas tied the game at 17 after Manning orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive that included three completions on third down. His poise in the pocket improved, and his timing with Worthy and Johntay Cook II finally clicked. The drive ended with Manning finding tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders in the corner of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown his first of the night.
With the score tied and less than six minutes to play, Ohio State mounted a drive of its own. Henderson once again proved to be the difference-maker, ripping off back-to-back runs of 12 and 15 yards before Brown hit Tate on a sideline route to set up a field goal. The Buckeyes took a 20-17 lead with under two minutes remaining.
Texas had one last chance. Manning, despite his rocky start, stepped onto the field with the poise of a quarterback determined to redeem himself. Starting from his own 25-yard line, he completed four straight passes, quickly moving the Longhorns into field-goal range. With the clock winding down, kicker Bert Auburn drilled a 45-yard attempt as time expired, sending the game into overtime tied at 20.
In overtime, Ohio State’s defense once again rose to the occasion. They forced Texas into a field goal after Manning’s third-down pass fell incomplete. The Buckeyes needed only a touchdown to seal the victory, and Henderson delivered, bursting through the line for a 15-yard game-winning score. Final score: Ohio State 26, Texas 23.
The story of the night was Manning’s early struggles. He finished with 189 yards and one touchdown, but the 26-yard first half highlighted just how effective Ohio State’s defense was at disrupting even one of the nation’s most talented quarterbacks. For Texas, the game underscored that defending their No. 1 ranking won’t be easy. For Ohio State, it was proof that their defense could be the backbone of a championship run.
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