Ohio State, OH — The much-anticipated 2025 college football season opener between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State ended in a defensive slugfest, with the Buckeyes narrowly defeating the Longhorns 14-7. The game marked the highly watched debut of Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the Longhorns’ starting signal-caller, but the young star faced a tough Ohio State defense that largely stifled his impact.
Arch Manning, who entered the season amid grand expectations due to his vaunted football lineage and exceptional talent, struggled to find rhythm against an aggressive and disciplined Buckeyes secondary. Through much of the contest, Manning’s offensive production was limited. In the first half alone, he completed just 5 of 17 attempts for 26 yards, as Ohio State imposed relentless pressure that disrupted Texas’ passing game[1][2].
Despite these struggles early on, Manning improved in the later stages, finishing with 17 completions on 30 attempts for 170 yards, including one touchdown and an interception. Most of these yards, however, came late in the fourth quarter as Texas was mounting a comeback attempt that ultimately fell short[4]. Following the game, Manning candidly acknowledged his performance, stating, “I’ve got to play better for us to win,” reflecting the high expectations on his shoulders as the team’s leader.
The Buckeyes fueled their victory on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they dominated, shutting out Texas through the first half and forcing key turnovers in the second. Offensively, Ohio State orchestrated a pivotal 13-play, 80-yard drive consuming over eight minutes, culminating in a touchdown run by running back CJ Donaldson on fourth down to give the home team a 7-0 lead[2].
Ohio State continued to build on that lead with another touchdown, and the defensive unit made several crucial stands down the stretch to maintain their advantage. The back-and-forth nature and the low-scoring tactics highlighted the game’s intensity and the pressure Texas faced entering the season as the preseason No. 1 team but a slight underdog playing on the road[1][2].
Despite the loss, Manning showed flashes of his talent with quick feet and an ability to find receivers downfield when given time, yet the pressure of stepping into such an immense role on the road against a reigning champion proved challenging. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely how Manning and the Texas Longhorns respond as they continue their season with heightened scrutiny and expectations.
The game itself was a showcase of college football’s elite competition, pitting two blue-blood programs with rich histories and star-studded rosters. Broadcast legends even weighed in live, with Lee Corso famously picking Ohio State to win, a call that proved prescient[2].
With the Longhorns reeling from this setback, the road ahead demands better performances from Manning and the entire Texas offense against top-tier defenses. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, began their title defense on a strong note, demonstrating why they remain a national championship contender.