The best season opener in college football history lived up to the hype, even if it had a combined 21 points.
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Ohio State proved that it deserves to be the No. 1 team in the country following its national championship run a year ago. With a stellar defensive performance combined with the new-look offense playing mistake-free football while doing just enough to win, Ohio State took down top-ranked Texas, 14-7, in the season opener.
With a new-look gameday atmosphere in front of a sold out crowd, one thing remained the same Saturday afternoon in The Shoe: Ohio State showed once again that it is one of the best teams in college football.
7 points allowed
In his first game as Ohio State's defensive coordinator, the former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator proved that the hype surrounding him throughout much of the offseason was on point.
Whether it was different formations, matchups or trusting his back seven to secure the defensive backfield, the Silver Bullets made Arch Manning look like a mediocre quarterback for the first three quarters of the game, not the five-star gunslinger that is expected by many to be the next great quarterback from his family.
The Longhorns' offense had just 157 yards in the first three quarters of the game, including a dismal 38 passing yards. Manning completed 9-of-15 passes and threw an interception in the first 45 minutes of the game. Most importantly, Texas was held scoreless through the first three quarters of the game for the first time since 2015, when the Longhorns were shut out by Iowa State, 24-0.
Texas goes 0-for-2 in the red zone
While the Buckeye defense proved once again that it is one of the best in the country, even with a new defensive coordinator, another part of the Silver Bullets from last season remained the same: Ohio State's defense bends but doesn't break, just like it did throughout last season.
Steve Sarkisian likely had nightmares following Jack Sawyer's scoop and score to clinch Ohio State's win over Texas in last season's Cotton Bowl. Those nightmares will continue, as the Longhorns had 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line and Arch Manning was stuffed on Texas' failed version of the Tush Push.
All the angles of that unreal goal line stop by the @OhioStateFB defense @wendys pic.twitter.com/cRrNA8LYCm
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2025
The Longhorns had another opportunity to score a touchdown in the red zone in the middle of the fourth quarter and were shut down once again with a Davison Igbinosun pass breakup on 4th-and-3 from the 9-yard line.
Tough day for Longhorn fans in Columbus as Arch Manning and Texas remain scoreless and turnover on downs pic.twitter.com/dlffSrddFh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2025
Texas' last two games have both been against Ohio State. With another two stops inside the 10-yard line on Saturday, Sarkasian's offense has now had three goal-to-go spots against the Buckeyes that have resulted in zero points for Texas and seven points for Ohio State.
126 passing yards, 1 passing tD
Completing 13-of-20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown isn't anything spectacular, but Julian Sayin outplayed Arch Manning for three quarters of the game Saturday afternoon. The second-year quarterback made his first career start and did what he needed to do to lead Ohio State's offense to a win over the top-ranked Longhorns: Manage the game, make a big play or two when needed and don't turn the ball over. Check. Check. Check.
His most important throw of the game was a 40-yard touchdown to Carnell Tate to give Ohio State a 14-0 lead.
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
With the win, Sayin is the first quarterback in the last 20 years to beat the No. 1-ranked team in his first start. Previously, quarterbacks making their starting debut against a top-ranked opponent were 0-18 in the last two decades.
Crazy Stat: In the last 20 years, when a QB makes his first start against the #1 team, he's 0-18
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) August 19, 2025
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin will make his first career start against #1 Texas on August 30th pic.twitter.com/xuVSFWHupK
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