Arch Manning got the response he was looking for.
A year after Ohio State made life miserable for the Texas quarterback in the 2025 season opener, Manning came back on Saturday and flipped the script in dramatic fashion as Texas hosted the No. 1 team in the country. The Longhorns were staring at a 23-3 deficit after three quarters, but Manning caught fire when it mattered most and helped engineer a stunning comeback.
His first meeting with Ohio State was a rough one. Manning went for 170 yards through the air with one touchdown and one interception in a 14-7 loss, and the Buckeyes’ defense had him feeling “super uncomfortable in the pocket.” That one still sits with him.
“Not a lot of good memories a year ago,” Manning told ESPN’s Dave Wilson this week.
On Saturday, though, Manning authored a very different ending. He led Texas on three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning march that put the Longhorns ahead 24-23 with 25 seconds remaining. On that final drive, he completed 4-of-5 passes for 48 yards.
The fourth quarter was his best stretch of the night by far. Manning threw for 91 yards and a touchdown in the period, and he kept Texas alive on key fourth downs with a series of timely throws that extended drives and kept the pressure on Ohio State.
By the time it was over, Manning had finished with 196 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. More important for Texas, the Longhorns were 2-0 and heading into SEC play with a major win over the top-ranked team in the nation.
For Manning, the comeback was more than just a victory. It was payback. And it came with the kind of late-game poise Texas had been waiting to see.
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Jerquaden Guilford, Brock Boyd and Bey were among the players whose posts drew attention, with language that pointed to a desire for more involvement. For a staff already sorting through a disappointing result, it adds a fresh layer of concern about buy-in and roster harmony, even if there has been no official response yet. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Just Added New Controversy To Texas' Win Over Ohio State
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Arch Manning then poured fuel on the reaction when he weighed in on the clip during a Monday exchange, describing it as hilarious. The comment drew immediate criticism on social media, with some users calling for apologies and public statements from both Manning and Sarkisian, turning a celebratory Texas moment into another reminder of how fast a viral postgame clip can shift the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Needs More Than A Win Against Kent State
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The bigger value here may be less about the result and more about what the Buckeyes can take from it, especially on offense. A lopsided win would be welcome, but Ohio State needs a performance that helps settle the unit, builds confidence after the setback and gives the coaches a better feel for where this team is headed as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]