Texas’ comeback against Ohio State wasn’t just about the scoreboard. The final 21 minutes offered a clean look at how Steve Sarkisian wanted his offense to function once the Longhorns had to abandon the early script and start chasing points.
For much of the day, Texas tried to lean on size and structure. The Longhorns opened with multiple-tight-end looks, including 12 personnel with one running back and two tight ends, giving Sarkisian extra bodies for the run game while still keeping play-action alive.
That approach fit the plan early. But once Texas was staring at a three-score hole, the heavy sets faded.
The shift was obvious: more passing, more width, and more receivers on the field. Texas moved into 11 personnel - one running back and one tight end - on 31 of its 42 plays beginning with the first touchdown drive. That kept Coleman, Wingo, and Mosley on the field, while still leaving the tight end involved enough to support the run game when needed.
Before that change took hold, the Longhorns had spent the afternoon beating themselves. Raleek Brown coughed up the ball on the opening drive, and when Texas finally looked ready to build something through the air, a deep ball intended for Cam Coleman ended up as an interception after a diving catch attempt.
The mistakes didn’t stop there. The only points before the comeback push came on a 37-yard Gianni Spetic field goal, and even that drive could have ended with a touchdown if Ryan Wingo hadn’t dropped a pass in the end zone.
Ohio State made Texas pay, stretching the lead to 23-3 before the fourth quarter flipped the game.
Arch Manning wasn’t spotless either. The second-year starter had trouble at times, especially in the pocket, and he didn’t always get much help from the players around him. Still, he also left yards on the field early because he wasn’t consistently seeing things clearly.
Then the final 21 minutes arrived, and Manning settled in. He started finding the throws he had missed earlier, and the confidence fans expected began to show through.
His legs became part of the answer, too. Manning picked up yards when plays broke down, but he also used them to buy time, including on the fourth-and-nine conversion to Emaree Winston.
By the end, Manning had gone 8-for-11 for 83 yards and a touchdown, a strong closing stretch that helped Texas complete the comeback.
In Other News...
Steve Sarkisians Two ESPN Interviews Have Texas Fans Saying The Same Thing
Steve Sarkisian left Columbus with a marquee win and, for Texas fans, a couple of television moments that were almost as memorable for how they unfolded as for what was said. During the Longhorns comeback against Ohio State, ESPN caught Sarkisian in two awkward sideline spots, first at halftime with Laura Rutledge and then again after the game with Holly Rowe, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how chaotic a big road win can feel in real time.
The halftime interview never really got going because of technical issues, and Rutledge later clarified what went wrong while noting Sarkisian handled the delay patiently. The postgame exchange took a different turn, ending abruptly when Sarkisian shouted and headed off to celebrate with his team, leaving Rowe with a visibly different reaction and plenty of attention on the contrast between the two interviews. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Weighed In As Holly Rowe Faced A Heartbreaking Week
Holly Rowe had a painful week away from the football spotlight after announcing the death of her mother, Diane Buck Rowe-Gandre, and later sharing that the family held a private graveside service in her honor. Rowe described a tribute filled with personal touches, from released butterflies and purple colors to music and Dr. Pepper, offering a glimpse into how her family said goodbye while the college football world kept moving around her.
The timing only added to the unease around Texas after a viral AI-generated video depicted Steve Sarkisian slapping Rowe, coming on the heels of a real postgame moment when Sarkisian walked away from an interview with her. Arch Manning was asked about the controversy during a press conference and later apologized for his reaction, a reminder of how quickly an ugly online moment can spill into the wider conversation around the Longhorns. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Suddenly Has A Coaching Issue Hanging Over UTSA Week
A fresh off-field issue landed on Texas this week when co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Johnny Nansen was arrested Wednesday evening on a misdemeanor DWI charge. Head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed the arrest and said the program is still gathering information while monitoring the situation, an unwelcome development as the Longhorns turn their attention to UTSA.
Nansen was not at practice after the arrest, and his status for the upcoming game remains unsettled. For a defense already in game-week preparation mode, the uncertainty adds another layer to a week that was supposed to be focused on cleanup and rhythm, not staffing questions on the sideline. [Read more 🡒]