On , defending champion Ohio State handed preseason No. 1 Texas a 14-7 defeat in the season opener, as Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning labored for most of the afternoon despite a late surge.
Key Takeaways
- Final: Ohio State 14, Texas 7 in the 2025 season opener.
- Arch Manning went 17-of-30 for 170 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, plus 38 rushing yards.
- Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia (ex-Lions head coach) kept Texas off rhythm.
- Manning was stopped on a fourth-and-goal run from the 1-yard line.
- Texas entered the season ranked No. 1; Ohio State is the reigning national champion.
- The result raises early questions about Texas’s offense and Manning’s short-term draft buzz.
Verified Facts
Texas opened the 2025 college football season ranked No. 1 but managed just one touchdown in a 14-7 loss to Ohio State. The Buckeyes, last season’s national title winners, controlled field position and tempo in a defense-first game.
Arch Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 38 rushing yards, using his legs to extend a few drives, but he was stuffed on a pivotal fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line—one of the game’s defining sequences.
Ohio State’s defense, coordinated by Matt Patricia in his first game in the role, consistently disrupted Texas’s timing. Even on snaps where Manning had protection and receivers broke open, several throws sailed off target, contributing to stalled possessions.
Texas mounted late pressure with a handful of downfield completions in the fourth quarter, but the rally fell short. Ohio State’s coverage and tackling in space closed the door on the Longhorns’ final chances.
| Player/Unit | Stat |
|---|---|
| Arch Manning (TEX) | 17/30, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Arch Manning (Rush) | 38 rushing yards |
| Texas Offense | Stopped on 4th-and-goal from the 1 |
| Ohio State Defense | First game under DC Matt Patricia |
| Final Score | Ohio State 14, Texas 7 |
Context & Impact
The defeat is a jolt to a Texas team that spent the offseason atop preseason polls and expectations. Week 1 outcomes frequently reshape early rankings, and this one will likely tighten the race at the top while reinforcing Ohio State’s case as a repeat contender.
For Manning, the performance tempers preseason narratives that had him tracking as the 2026 NFL Draft’s potential No. 1 pick. It remains only a single data point—albeit a high-profile one—against an elite defense. With a full schedule ahead, he has ample opportunity to stabilize accuracy, red-zone decision-making, and timing with his receivers.
Ohio State’s defensive identity under Patricia showed up immediately: disciplined run fits, varied pressure looks, and tight underneath coverage. If that standard holds, the Buckeyes’ defense could again be a difference-maker in marquee games.
Unconfirmed
- Any shift in national rankings or Heisman/draft projections remains speculative until polls and consensus boards update.
Bottom Line
Ohio State validated its championship pedigree with a measured, physical win, while Texas absorbed an early reality check. One game will not define Arch Manning’s season, but ball placement, situational runs, and red-zone execution must sharpen quickly for the Longhorns to meet their lofty goals.