Arch Manning and Texas Longhorns erase 20-point deficit to stun Ohio State in shocking comeback for the ages, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/arch-manning-texas-longhorns-erase-20-point-deficit-stun-ohio-state-shocking-comeback-ages)
13-09-2026
In the OutKick article by Trey Wallace regarding the September 12, 2026, matchup in Austin, Texas, the No. 4 Texas Longhorns pulled off a dramatic 20-point second-half comeback to upset the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes.The Early StrugglesThe game opened disastrously for Texas:
- The Longhorns fumbled on their very first offensive snap.
- Ohio State dominated early behind quarterback Julian Sayin and star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who tortured the Texas secondary and hauled in a 48-yard catch along the sideline.
- Texas managed just 97 yards of total offense in the first half, trailing 20–3 at the break and falling behind 23–3 midway through the third quarter.
- Arch Manning struggled heavily through the first three quarters with overthrown balls, dropped passes, and stalled offensive drives.
- Manning’s Scrambling: Late in the third quarter, Manning shifted momentum with his legs, using key scrambles to extend plays and re-energize the home crowd at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
- The Defense Locks In: The Texas defense wore down Ohio State, completely shutting down their conversion attempts in the final frame.
- Fourth-Quarter Surge: Texas found the end zone early in the fourth quarter, followed by a crucial touchdown run by Hollywood Smothers, capping off unanswered scoring drives to erase the 20-point deficit and secure an improbable victory.
- After finishing his postgame television interview, Arch Manning sprinted straight to the student section, donned a cowboy hat, and celebrated with teammates, coaches, and fans.
- Head coach Steve Sarkisian highlighted the resilience of his squad postgame, stating that overcoming such adversity will serve as a defining lesson for the team as they pursue an SEC title and College Football Playoff run.