Ohio State vs. Texas Live Hub: Key Moments, Sights and Sounds From the Buckeyes’ Top-Three Showdown With the Longhorns

By 11W Staff on August 30, 2025 at 9:39 am
Jermaine Mathews Jr.
X / @OhioStateFB
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It's here.

Almost eight months of anticipation since Ohio State’s 2024 national championship will come to a head at high noon inside the Horseshoe with No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State.

The Buckeyes cut down the Longhorns on their path to glory last year, leaving Texas eager for revenge. Still, both rosters look dramatically different after a combined 26 players were taken in the 2025 NFL draft.

A loss won’t derail either team’s pursuit of the College Football Playoff — 10-2 should be more than enough this fall. But the winner gains an early edge, and the echoes of a showdown like this extend well beyond playoff positioning, etching themselves into the sport’s memory. It marks the first season opener ever featuring the top two teams in the Coaches Poll.

Ohio State football is back — in the biggest way imaginable to begin a season.

The Eleven Warriors Live Hub takes you onto campus and inside the Horseshoe for Ohio State vs. Texas, delivering live news and updates, sights and sounds and the biggest moments as the Buckeyes and Longhorns collide on the banks of the Olentangy.

Ryan Day, Ranked Warrior

Ryan Day loves to beat ranked opponents.

AUGUST 30, 2025

Ohio State's Defense Dominates, Buckeyes Beat Longhorns 14-7

Ohio State, Texas

A dominant defensive performance leads Ohio State to a 14-7 statement win over No. 1 Texas in its season opener.

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Ohio State Makes Another 4th-Down Stop

Make it three fourth-down stops for the Buckeyes, including two inside their own 10-yard line.

Carnell Tate Goes Acrobatic to Put Buckeyes Up Two Scores

Carnell Tate separated from his defender on a fourth-quarter deep strike, and an underthrown ball from Julian Sayin didn't stop him from a critical touchdown. In an early catch-of-the-year candidate for Ohio State, Tate leaped and juggled the ball to himself for an incredible 40-yard snag.

Jermaine Mathews Jr. Recaptures Momentum With Interception

The Buckeyes followed a massive goal-line stand with a three-and-out on offense, punting the ball back to the Longhorns for prime field position at midfield. But two plays later, Arch Manning underthrew a ball for star wideout Ryan Wingo and Jermaine Mathews Jr. punished him with an Ohio State interception.

Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Exits Game in Third Quarter With Injury

Ohio State lost a star defensive end, likely for the rest of the game, when Kenyatta Jackson Jr. went down near the goal line. Trainers took Jackson's helmet, leaving Beau Atkinson to step up with the first-team DEs alongside Caden Curry.

Goal Line Stand University Does it Again

Texas got a shot to tie the football game midway through the third quarter with a 4th-and-goal inside the Ohio State 1-yard line, but Arch Manning's quarterback sneak was snuffed by a horde of interior Buckeye defenders, led by Eddrick Houston. 

Be sure to check out Eleven Warriors' Goal Line Stand University T-shirt at the Dry Goods Store.

Arvell Reese Sacks Arch Manning

Arvell Reese was one of Ohio State's standouts in the first half. He had the Buckeyes' only sack and tackle for loss in the opening 30 minutes, bringing Texas quarterback Arch Manning to the turf on a pivotal third down.

Four Tight Ends Convert On Fourth-and-Goal Touchdown

Ohio State broke through for its first touchdown of the season by going for 4th-and-goal at the 2-yard line, and debuted a four-tight-end package with freshman Nate Roberts playing fullback in an I-formation to plunge CJ Donaldson over the goal line.

Jeremiah Smith Changes Gloves After Two Early Drops

Ohio State's star wide receiver got off to a rough start with two dropped passes in his first three targets Saturday, electing to change gloves to change the mojo. He answered immediately with a 16-yard reception.

Arvell Reese With a Clinical Run Fit for a 4th-Down Stop

Ohio State's linebackers have come out on fire against Texas, the highlight of the first few possessions a missile-like run fit for a 4th-and-2 stop of star Longhorn running back Quintrevion Wisner by Arvell Reese.

Here Come the Buckeyes

Ohio State took the field for warmups to Black Sabbath's "War Pigs," a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.

The Boys Are Back in Town

Former Ohio State athletes and coaches are out in droves for the season opener: Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Donovan Jackson, Seth McLaughlin, Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Ty Hamilton, Cody Simon, Orlando Pace, Jeremy Ruckert, Jim Tressel, D'Angelo Russell, and more.

QB1, WR1 Arrive at the Horseshoe

AUGUST 30, 2025

Ohio State First, Last Headgear Pick for Lee Corso

Lee Corso

In his final appearance of a legendary career on ESPN's College GameDay, Lee Corso selected the same mascot head he chose the first time he put one on: Brutus Buckeye.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

James Laurinaitis Fires Up Ohio State Crowd at Skull Session

James Laurinaitis

James Laurinaitis called for the Ohio State crowd to "make life absolutely hell" for Arch Manning and Texas' offense at the Buckeyes' Skull Session, joining Sonny Styles and Ryan Day in addressing the masses.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Jason Moore Out, Starters Available Against Texas

Jason Moore

Backup defensive tackle Jason Moore is out, but all of Ohio State's projected starters are available for the Buckeyes' top-three showdown with Texas.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Ryan Day Gives Lee Corso an Ohio State Helmet

Lee Corso

Ryan Day gave Lee Corso his own Ohio State helmet, complete with Buckeye Leaves for every time he’s picked Ohio State, during his final episode of College GameDay.

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Lee Corso Arrives at GameDay in Style

AUGUST 30, 2025

Philip Daniels to Start at Right Tackle

Philip Daniels

Minnesota transfer Phillip Daniels will be Ohio State’s starting right tackle against Texas after beating out fellow transfer Ethan Onianwa for the starting job this preseason.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Last Call: Texas

Jeremiah Smith

We break down the biggest questions, highlight some key players to watch and make some bold predictions for what we’ll see when Ohio State plays Texas on Saturday in the Shoe.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Corso's Final Headgear Pick Will Be Unique

Lee Corso

College GameDay host Rece Davis says Lee Corso’s final headgear pick, which will also be the show’s final headgear pick, will be “different from any other one you've ever seen.”

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Betting Line Moving Toward Texas

Ryan Day, Steve Sarkiaian

After Ohio State opened as a favorite in its top-three showdown against Texas, the No. 1 Longhorns have overtaken the Buckeyes in the sportsbooks.

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AUGUST 30, 2025

Ohio State vs. Texas Preview

All the hype surrounds the quarterbacks in Ohio State and Texas' upcoming iconic clash, but clean football and the trenches could dictate the outcome.

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Dominant Defensive Performance Leads Ohio State to 14-7 Win over No. 1 Texas in Season Opener

Ohio State’s defense swarming Arch Manning

Prognosticating: Texas

Dry Goods Contest
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