The #1-ranked Texas Longhorns came into Columbus, Ohio, to face the #3-ranked Ohio State University Buckeyes with a lot of hype surrounding their starting quarterback, Arch Manning. Manning, who many considered to be this year’s Heisman hopeful, found out real fast from the Buckeyes defense that they were not impressed with his play, as they beat the Longhorns 14-7.
The Longhorns’ offense was successful running the ball against the Buckeyes’ defense, averaging over four yards per carry, behind running backs Quintrevion Wisner, rushing the ball 16 times for 80 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and CJ Baxter, rushing 10 times for 40 yards, averaging 4 yards per carry. When Texas needed its quarterback to make plays early in the game, Arch Manning had a hard time finding open Longhorn receivers behind Coach Patricia’s 5-1 defense. Caleb Downs, who is arguably one of the best defensive backs in the nation, was able to keep Manning’s primary receiver, Ryan Wingo, from being a play maker for the Longhorns until late in the game. Jermaine Matthew Jr for the Buckeyes intercepted Manning in the game. Arch Manning didn’t have the best game against the Buckeyes, completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. When the Buckeyes’ defense needed to make defensive stops, they came up huge with the right adjustments, forcing the Longhorns to turn the ball over 4 times on downs in the game.
The Buckeyes’ defense continued their streak from last season, stopping the Longhorns’ offense inside their twenty-yard line. When the game was in the balance, where momentum could have swung the Longhorns’ way, the Buckeyes’ new Defensive Coordinator, Matt Patricia, called the right scheme to stop Texas short once again. Buckeyes quarterback Julain Sayin managed the game, making sure he didn’t make any unforced errors that would give Texas good field possession, allowing them to tie the game. OSU quarterback Sayin threw the ball 20 times, completing 13 for 126 yards and 1 touchdown pass that Carnell Tate caught. CJ Donaldson imposed his will on the Longhorns’ defensive front seven, rushed the ball 19 times for 67 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Buckeyes won the game 14-7 and will play Grambling State University next week. The University of Texas must find a way to get its offense rolling because Coach Sarkisian’s play-calling in this game wasn’t as crisp as in years past. The Longhorns’ next opponent is the San Jose State Spartans.