In one of the greatest turnarounds to ever occur in college football, No. 4 Texas climbed from a 20-point deficit to defeat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 Saturday night at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. The Longhorns entered the fourth quarter 23-3, but went on to add three more touchdowns without giving up a score, including a Hollywood Smothers 1-yard run with 25 seconds remaining in the game.
Texas' fourth quarter comeback began with a short touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo, who put them in the lead and got them some momentum. From there, Manning led a series of long drives (three in a row, 70+ yards each) as Texas' offense went crazy in the fourth quarter.
It was now Hollywood Smothers who drove the recovery. Smothers gave it up on his first touch of the game, but went on to score twice in the final period, including a touchdown that brought Texas within six points with seven minutes left. At the end of the night, he was rushing for 74 yards on 21 carries and also had yardage as a receiver, providing Texas with a down-the-stretch, physical, balanced attack Ohio State had not been able to stop for much of the game.
Manning drove in from a yard out with 25 seconds left to put the game away on a 12-play, 73-yard scoring run including one or two good catches and runs. Ohio State's last shot of the game failed to go near, and Texas hung tough to pull off the upset.
It raises questions on Ohio State's inability to capitalize on early scoring runs on the offense and a few points that will be called out in the coming days. The victory also ends Ohio State's reign in the No. 1 spot as they enter next week's poll.
Texas won 24-23.
How many points did Texas come back from?
The game was a close call, with Texas losing by 20 points, 23-3, going into the fourth quarter.
Who had the game winning touchdown for Texas?
With 25 seconds still in the game, running back Hollywood Smothers scored on a 1-yard run.
What were Arch Manning's stats?
Manning finished the game with three fourth-quarter touchdown drives that reached 70-plus yards, was 23-of-37 on passes for 196 yards and had one interception.
What was the cause of OH State's missed field goal?
With approximately four minutes remaining, Connor Hawkins fumbled a 45-yard kicker that would give OSU a two possession lead, setting the stage for Texas' winning drive.
Is this the greatest comeback in the history of No. 1 teams?
It's being claimed as the biggest win back at AP No. 1 level since at least 2000.
Key Facts
- Texas defeated Ohio State 24-23 in the game.
- Cost: Free (Admission is free, but parking will be charged. Time: 1 p.m.
- The game ended at half time with Ohio State holding a 20-3 advantage.
- With the fourth quarter in hand, Ohio State's score: 23, Texas's score: 3
- Game-winning score: Hollywood Smothers 1-yard touchdown run, 25 seconds remaining
- Arch Manning: 23/37 complete for 196 yards, one touchdown, one interception
- Julian Sayin: 278 yards passing, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
- Jeremiah Smith: 8 receptions for 164 yards and 1 touchdown.
How Texas Closed a 20-Point Deficit
The first three quarters were played by Ohio State. The Buckeyes took control of the game early and kept it in their possession in the first half, driving up the score with a third-quarter field goal to put them up 23-3, with the offense frantically scrambling to keep the ball in the air over the backs of Sayin and Smith.Texas' fourth quarter comeback began with a short touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo, who put them in the lead and got them some momentum. From there, Manning led a series of long drives (three in a row, 70+ yards each) as Texas' offense went crazy in the fourth quarter.
It was now Hollywood Smothers who drove the recovery. Smothers gave it up on his first touch of the game, but went on to score twice in the final period, including a touchdown that brought Texas within six points with seven minutes left. At the end of the night, he was rushing for 74 yards on 21 carries and also had yardage as a receiver, providing Texas with a down-the-stretch, physical, balanced attack Ohio State had not been able to stop for much of the game.
The Turning Point: A Missed Field Goal
But with a chance to put the game away, Ohio State drove into position for what would have been a two-scoring, likely game clinching field goal. Kicker Connor Hawkins, who had already scored three, missed from 45 yards with slightly more than four minutes to play. The miss returned the ball to an offense that had come into its own for Texas, and the Texas offense took advantage.Manning drove in from a yard out with 25 seconds left to put the game away on a 12-play, 73-yard scoring run including one or two good catches and runs. Ohio State's last shot of the game failed to go near, and Texas hung tough to pull off the upset.
What It Means
The victory is being touted as the biggest comeback against an AP No. 1 team in 25 years or more, and Texas' first 20-point-plus comeback win since 2007 against Oklahoma State. Head coach Steve Sarkisian sees his best regular-season win in six seasons as this one, in Austin. The fourth quarter provided Manning with a signature opportunity, one that's been at the forefront of the debate about whether he can lead a team in big moments, and he did.It raises questions on Ohio State's inability to capitalize on early scoring runs on the offense and a few points that will be called out in the coming days. The victory also ends Ohio State's reign in the No. 1 spot as they enter next week's poll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas beat Ohio State, how many points did Texas score?Texas won 24-23.
How many points did Texas come back from?
The game was a close call, with Texas losing by 20 points, 23-3, going into the fourth quarter.
Who had the game winning touchdown for Texas?
With 25 seconds still in the game, running back Hollywood Smothers scored on a 1-yard run.
What were Arch Manning's stats?
Manning finished the game with three fourth-quarter touchdown drives that reached 70-plus yards, was 23-of-37 on passes for 196 yards and had one interception.
What was the cause of OH State's missed field goal?
With approximately four minutes remaining, Connor Hawkins fumbled a 45-yard kicker that would give OSU a two possession lead, setting the stage for Texas' winning drive.
Is this the greatest comeback in the history of No. 1 teams?
It's being claimed as the biggest win back at AP No. 1 level since at least 2000.