Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) catches a pass in the end-zone to score as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) defends in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
In the end, Texas football began its 2025 season the way it ended its 2024 campaign: with a tough loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Saturday’s 14-7 loss at Ohio Stadium in Columbus was punctuated by a long day for Arch Manning, a conservative day for the Texas offense, two impressive defenses and a big win for the Buckeyes.
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Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate, left, celebrates his touchdown against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Our takeaways from Saturday’s game from what we saw in Columbus:
A rocky start for Arch Manning
Manning has the name, the hype, the swag and the skill that made Texas’ new starting quarterback the nation’s top recruit in 2023. But a fierce Ohio State defense and a rabid home crowd of more than 107,000 humbled Manning while holding him to 170 yards on 17-of-30 passing. Manning, who’s been mentioned as the preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy as well as projected as the possible No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, will have better days, but the sting from this game will likely linger.
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The Texas offense leaves the field in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
Manning revived Texas’ offense in the closing minutes of the game, cutting a 14-0 deficit to 14-7 and in a position to tie it or win it in the final two minutes, but he also threw an interception, had another pick avoided by an instant replay ruling and had one underthrow, two low throws, two overthrows and, on the final drive, a critical throw behind the receiver.
Texas’ red zone issues persist in opener
When questioned about his team’s problems maximizing its red-zone opportunities in recent seasons, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian pointed out that the Longhorns made progress in 2024 — jumping up to a 63.8% touchdown rate from an abysmal 50.8% rate the season before. Well, there was no progress made in Columbus. The Longhorns failed to score on both of their red-zone entries, which went a long way toward deciding a game in which they racked up 336 yards to Ohio State’s 203.
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Lack of big plays bedevils Texas’ defense
The Texas defense played well enough while holding Ohio State to 203 yards of offense, but it also didn’t make a single impact play. No turnovers, no sacks and just one tackle for loss. The Longhorns needed more than that from a veteran defense playing against a redshirt freshman quarterback making his first start.
Texas’ Jack Bouwmeester looks like the real deal
The highlight of the afternoon for the Longhorns might have been delivered by their punter. After Texas finished 103rd in the country with a net punt average of 40.8 yards last year, Utah transfer Jack Bouwmeester looks like he’ll solve those issues. He downed the Buckeyes inside their 10-yard line twice, averaging 46.2 yards per punt.
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Texcetera
Who won the quarters? First quarter was a draw, the second quarter was Ohio State’s, the third quarter was a draw and the fourth quarter was Ohio State’s. … In their CFP semifinal, Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith was held to one catch for 4 yards; on Saturday the best receiver in the country finished with six grabs for 43 yards and two drops on 10 targets. … Texas hits: (1) LB Liona Lefau tied for the team lead in tackles and (2) CB Graceson Littleton had a pass breakup, defended Smith on some one-on-one coverages and forced Ohio State to punt with 2:33 left in a 14-7 game with a nice open-field tackle. Nice day from the freshman. … Texas misses: (1) the red zone struggles, (2) the conservative game plan, (3) Lefau’s hands to the face penalty negated a third-quarter safety that would’ve made it a 7-2 game. … Texas RBs Quintrevion Wisner finished with 16 carries for 80 yards (5.0 avg.) and CJ Baxter had 40 yards on 10 carries (4.0). The longest run of the day was Manning’s 15-yard keeper. … No Buckeye had a run of more than 8 yards. … Stats: Texas outgained the Buckeyes 336-203 in total yards, Texas had six penalties to Ohio State’s two, Texas had 16 total first downs to Ohio State’s 11, and Texas was 5 of 14 on third-down conversions to Ohio State’s 3-of-12 clip. … One of the failed fourth-and-goal tries from Texas was a Philadelphia Eagles-style Tush Push. It failed. Some tush, no push.
Next up for Texas: San Jose State
11 a.m. next Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
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We’ll be able to put the Ohio State loss into better perspective when we see what Texas does in reaction to it and as a heavy home favorite.
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