For the first time since 1990, the preseason No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll has dropped its season opener. Texas, who is fresh off a playoff appearance and was tabbed as the top-ranked team in August, fell 14-7 to No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes' rugged defense led the charge along with outstanding execution from freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who connected with Carnell Tate for a 40-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The strike provided the decisive margin, as Ohio State’s defense repeatedly turned back Longhorn drives in the red zone.
Arch Manning finished 17-of-30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but Texas managed only a single score, which was a 32-yard pass to Parker Livingstone with just over three minutes remaining.
The Longhorns were 1-for-5 on fourth down, including two stops deep in Buckeye territory. Their last chance ended when tight end Jack Endries was tackled a yard shy of a first down by safety Caleb Downs.
Sayin completed 13-of-20 passes for 126 yards. His connection with Tate was the highlight, with the sophomore receiver juggling the ball before securing it in the end zone. Running back CJ Donaldson added Ohio State’s first score with a bruising one-yard plunge to cap an eight-minute drive in the second quarter.
The loss not only halted Texas’ 11-game true road winning streak but also marked a symbolic stumble for a program aiming to reassert itself among college football’s elite. Meanwhile, Ohio State is bound to claim the No. 1 ranking as defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s debut plan delivered immediately.
Adding to the occasion, Lee Corso made his final “College GameDay” headgear pick, donning Brutus Buckeye on the field. The 90-year-old’s farewell underscored a historic night in Columbus. It's an opener Texas will want to forget, and Ohio State will savor.
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