— No. 3 Ohio State leads No. 1 Texas 7-0 at Ohio Stadium after a fourth-down touchdown run by C.J. Donaldson, while Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has opened slowly in his first true road start of the season opener.
Key Takeaways
- Score update: Ohio State 7, Texas 0 with 8:57 left in the first quarter.
- Arch Manning is 4 of 8 for 20 yards, taking more than 20 minutes to complete his first pass to a wideout.
- Texas has 71 total yards and is 1 of 6 on third down against an aggressive Buckeyes defense.
- OSU’s TD drive: 13 plays, 80 yards in 8:01, capped by Donaldson’s 2-yard plunge on fourth down.
- Two flags aided the drive: a 15-yard facemask on Colin Simmons and a defensive hold on Malik Muhammad while covering Jeremiah Smith.
- Jeremiah Smith had two early drops (he had one on 105 targets last season) but later hauled in a 16-yard catch; he appeared to change gloves.
- Fourth-down aggression: both teams went for it early; Texas was stuffed on 4th-and-1 at the OSU 42 after converting a prior fourth down.
- Ohio State’s remodeled defense features All-American safety Caleb Downs and CB Davison Igbinosun, with a rebuilt front under new coordinator Matt Patricia.
Verified Facts
Ohio State struck first on a 13-play, 80-yard march that burned just over eight minutes. C.J. Donaldson finished the series with a 2-yard score on fourth down over the left guard. The possession was kept alive by two Texas penalties: a 15-yard facemask on EDGE Colin Simmons and a defensive holding call on corner Malik Muhammad while matched with star receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Manning, making his first road start, opened the day 4 for 8 for 20 yards as Ohio State’s coverage limited windows despite solid pass protection. Texas needed more than 20 minutes of game time before a completion to a wide receiver. The Longhorns mustered 71 total yards in the early going and converted just 1 of 6 third downs.
Smith, a Heisman candidate who dropped only one pass on 105 targets in 2024, let two early throws slip through before snagging a 16-yard reception to near midfield late in the first quarter. Observers noted he appeared to swap gloves after the second drop.
Both sidelines showed early-season nerve on fourth down. Texas converted a risky try deep in its own end on the opening series, then was denied on 4th-and-1 at the Buckeyes’ 42. Ohio State’s front stiffened on three straight runs to force the turnover on downs.
Context & Impact
This is a rare No. 1 vs. No. 3 season opener and a showcase of SEC vs. Big Ten power. Texas enters as the preseason No. 1 for the first time in program history but did so as an underdog on the road against the reigning national champions.
All eyes are on quarterbacks at different stages: Arch Manning inherits Texas’ offense after backing up Quinn Ewers; Ohio State debuts Julian Sayin, who can become the first QB to beat a No. 1 team in his first start since Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh did it in 1984.
Ohio State’s defense returns only three starters but boasts a top-tier secondary led by Caleb Downs and Davison Igbinosun. The rebuilt line replaces five starters; pressure and run fits from new faces such as Kenyatta Jackson Jr. are central to how Matt Patricia’s unit handles Manning.
Beyond the scoreboard, this opener will shape early Heisman narratives for Manning and Smith and set a tone in the expanded playoff race.
Players to Watch Next
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas — Needs quicker answers vs. press-man and bracket looks on early downs.
- Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State — First-start poise and ball security against simulated pressures.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State — Usage in motion/slot after early drops to create cleaner releases.
- C.J. Donaldson and James Peoples, RBs, Ohio State — Thunder-and-speed tandem that powered the opening TD drive (33 rush yards combined on that series).
- Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas — Early impact hit on third down; discipline and rush-lane control remain pivotal.
Arch’s path behind Quinn Ewers was “handled perfectly,” setting him up for this moment.
Archie Manning, via CBS Sports (summer 2025)
Unconfirmed
- Jeremiah Smith appeared to change gloves after his second early drop; this has not been officially confirmed by the team.
- Assessments of Ohio State’s defensive line as “elite” are observational early in the first quarter and will need a larger sample.
Bottom Line
Ohio State’s defense dictated the script early, and the Buckeyes capitalized on Texas penalties to punch in the opening score. For Texas, cleaner execution on third down and creating easier throws for Manning are paramount to flipping field position and rhythm.
The next stretch before halftime should reveal whether Texas’ offense can solve OSU’s coverage disguises—or if Sayin and the Buckeyes can extend a cushion in front of a raucous Columbus crowd.