Julian Sayin, making his first collegiate start, was thrust into the cauldron of expectation—and he delivered. Early in the fourth quarter, with tension pulsing through the stands, Sayin launched a majestic 40-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 14-0. Tate, known for his explosive speed and sure hands, streaked down the sideline, hauling in the pass as the crowd erupted. It was a moment of pure drama, a turning point that would prove decisive.
The Buckeyes’ defense, ferocious and unyielding, was the heartbeat of the victory. Led by the relentless Davison Igbinosun, who racked up 10 tackles, Ohio State stymied Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ high-powered offense time and again. Texas threatened in the third quarter, driving to the Buckeyes’ 1-yard line, but the scarlet and gray wall stood tall, denying points and snatching momentum.
Ohio State opened the scoring in the second quarter, capping a methodical 80-yard drive with a 1-yard surge from CJ Donaldson Jr. After Jayden Fielding’s extra point, the Buckeyes led 7-0—a lead they fiercely protected. The game unfolded as a chess match, with both defenses trading blows and each inch of turf fiercely contested.
Texas, refusing to wilt, mounted a late comeback. Manning found Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown with just 3:28 remaining, slicing the deficit to a single score. The Longhorns clawed their way back into Buckeye territory, but as the clock bled away, the Ohio State defense delivered one final stand, forcing a turnover on downs and sealing a statement win.
For head coach Ryan Day, now 17-1 in regular-season non-conference games, this victory was more than a notch in the win column—it was a declaration. The Buckeyes have now won three straight against Texas, including last season’s Cotton Bowl triumph and the latest College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State toppled the Longhorns 28-14 for a shot at a sixth national title (Ohio State 28-14 Texas (Jan 10, 2025) Final Score). With the win, the all-time series between these storied programs is now tied at 2-2, and the Buckeyes ride a two-game streak.
Julian Sayin finished with 126 passing yards on 13-of-20 attempts and that crucial touchdown, while Carnell Tate led the receiving corps with 49 yards. Donaldson Jr. ground out 67 tough yards on 19 carries, embodying the Buckeye spirit. On the other side, Arch Manning threw for 170 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted once and hounded throughout.
As the sun set over Columbus and the echoes of the crowd faded, the message was clear: Ohio State is here for glory, and their defense, as suffocating as the autumn fog, might just carry them all the way. Next up, the Buckeyes will face Grambling State, but for now, the scarlet and gray faithful can savor a win that felt like destiny.
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