Carnell Tate had no business catching the biggest touchdown of the Ohio State/Texas game thus far.
He won the rep against Longhorn cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau, that much is true. He had more than a step running deep toward the corner of the end zone. But quarterback Julian Sayin underthrew the football.
Tate had to leap and contort his body, reaching down Guilbeau's chest just to get a hand on the ball. With the DB's hands separating Tate from the football, the most he could do was bat it up in the air. And bat it in the air he did – to himself, before reeling the rock in with two strong hands for a 40-yard touchdown that put Ohio State ahead 14-0 in the fourth quarter.
CARNELL TATE 40 YARD TD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2025
The @OhioStateFB Buckeyes make it a two-score game pic.twitter.com/QwOtTZExl6
The snag was only Tate's second of the ballgame, giving him 49 yards as Sayin's No. 2 option behind Jeremiah Smith. Tate entered 2025 ready to deliver on the promise brought by an impressive stat line as the Buckeyes' third receiver in 2024, collecting 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns.
If he continues making plays like this, Ohio State's passing game should emerge as one of the nation's best this season.
