In a highly anticipated rematch at the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic, No. 3 Ohio State faced off against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns, emerging victorious with a close 14-7 win in Columbus. This matchup mirrored their previous encounter, where Ohio State overcame Texas, led by quarterback Will Howard, to clinch the national championship the previous season. Despite entering the game as the nation’s top team, Texas struggled offensively, failing to deliver the expected performance. Both teams began cautiously, with early turnovers on downs highlighting their difficulties in establishing rhythm.
Ohio State managed to break the deadlock about nine minutes before halftime, scoring a rushing touchdown on a crucial fourth-and-goal attempt. Conversely, Texas was unable to convert their opportunities, punting on their last four possessions of the first half. The momentum shifted slightly at the start of the second half when Ohio State’s initial drive resulted in a quick three-and-out. Texas then attempted to capitalize on this momentum, but their effort was stymied just short of the end zone as Arch Manning, the star quarterback, was stopped on a fourth-and-goal attempt.
Despite another choice for Ohio State to settle for a punt after failing to gain momentum, Texas’s Manning faced his own challenges. An interception by Manning allowed Ohio State to capitalize again, as quarterback Julian Sayin found Carnell Tate for another touchdown, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 14-0 early in the fourth quarter. Texas hoped to mount a comeback and, despite a couple of scoring attempts thwarted by turnovers, Manning eventually connected with Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown with just 3:28 remaining on the clock.
The end of the game felt frantic as Texas forced a crucial three-and-out and received the ball back at their own 15 with less than three minutes to play. Manning executed a beautiful 30-yard pass but struggled to secure further first downs, ultimately grinding to a halt on their subsequent possession. For his part, Manning ended the game with 170 passing yards, with a notable surge in the fourth quarter, marking his first challenging road start amidst a high-stakes showdown.
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s Sayin, in his debut as a starter, displayed poise and skill, completing 13 of his 20 passes for 126 yards. As the Buckeyes now look ahead to less daunting opponents in Grambling State and Ohio University, they can reflect on having faced one of their toughest tests of the season. The matchup served as a significant benchmark for both teams, impacting their trajectories moving forward.
Texas is set to regroup, facing a less imposing lineup in the coming weeks as they host San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston State. However, the memory of the loss against Ohio State will likely linger for both teams, playing a critical role in shaping their focus and strategies for the remainder of the season and potential playoff aspirations. As both programs continue their campaigns, the implications of this rematch will undoubtedly echo in their efforts throughout the year.
