Takeaways: No. 3 Buckeyes beat top-ranked Longhorns

In a defensive masterclass, No. 3 Ohio State defeated top-ranked Texas 14-7 in their season opener, with the Buckeyes’ defense stifling Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ offense. The highly anticipated clash between college football’s top two teams took place at Ohio Stadium on August 30, 2025, marking the start of the 2025 season. Ohio State, the defending national champions, entered as slight underdogs despite their No. 3 ranking, while Texas held the preseason No. 1 spot for the first time in program history. Ohio State drew first blood in the second quarter when transfer running back CJ Donaldson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, culminating a methodical 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed over eight minutes of game clock. The Buckeyes extended their lead to 14-0 early in the fourth quarter when first-year starting quarterback Julian Sayin connected with wide receiver Carnell Tate on a perfectly thrown 40-yard touchdown pass. Texas struggled offensively for most of the contest, with highly-touted quarterback Arch Manning facing constant pressure from Ohio State’s aggressive defense. Manning, making just his third career start and first in a hostile road environment, completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He showed moments of brilliance with his arm and legs but often appeared indecisive against the Buckeyes’ defensive schemes. The Longhorns’ best scoring opportunity came in the third quarter when they drove to the Ohio State 1-yard line but were stuffed on fourth down as Manning was unable to punch it in on a quarterback sneak. Texas finally got on the board with 3:28 remaining when Manning found receiver Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14-7. Ohio State’s defense, under new coordinator Matt Patricia, was the undeniable star of the game. Despite fielding eight new starters from their championship squad, the unit forced four turnovers on downs and recorded an interception, consistently disrupting Texas’ offensive rhythm. Key defensive stands included the goal-line stop and a crucial fourth-down stop late in the game that sealed the victory. Julian Sayin, in his first start for Ohio State after winning the offseason quarterback competition, managed the game efficiently, completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes’ offense was conservative, relying heavily on a ground game that managed only 77 yards on 34 carries, but the defense’s dominant performance rendered offensive fireworks unnecessary. The victory provides Ohio State with a massive early-season statement win in their title defense and raises questions about Texas’ ability to maintain their top ranking. Both teams are undergoing significant transitions with new quarterbacks and defensive personnel, suggesting that each will improve as the season progresses. A potential rematch in the College Football Playoff remains a distinct possibility given the talent on both rosters. Looking ahead, Ohio State will aim to build momentum from this signature win, while Texas must address offensive line issues and find more consistency from their passing attack. The outcome sets the stage for an intriguing college football season, with both programs likely to remain at the forefront of the national championship conversation.