Stephen Leonard
Ohio State Writer
It was worth the wait. The offseason hype leading into this game was off the charts, given the repeat matchup of the Cotton Bowl Semifinal. Previously, I’ve slammed Big Noon Kickoff for ruining the atmosphere in high-stakes Buckeye games, but what a way to start college football’s opening weekend. No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 14-7 on August 30, 2025, in Ohio Stadium. Lee Corso set the tone, choosing the Buckeyes’ headgear to put a cap on his career. The strength of the Longhorn defense and Heisman hype for QB Arch Manning was forced down our throats all summer long. Corso says it best, ‘not so fast, my friend’. You would have never guessed Ohio State’s defense lost 8 starters to the NFL from how they handled Texas’ Heisman hopeful Arch Manning
Under new coordinator Matt Patricia, there was no drop off from last year’s top defense. The Buckeyes held Texas to just 79 yards in the first half and a putrid 1-for-7 on third-down conversions. Manning, in his first start in hostile territory, struggled to find a rhythm going against Ohio State’s relentless pressure, completing only five of his first ten passes. The Longhorns’ offense failed to advance past the Ohio State 40-yard line in the first two quarters. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by stars like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, overwhelmed Texas’ rebuilt offensive line, which returned only one starter from 2024. It was like Groundhog’s Day for Buckeye goal line stands, when Texas was stuffed at the one-yard line, just like the Cotton Bowl semifinal. This time, there was no scoop and score; Manning was kept out of the endzone on a fourth-down quarterback sneak, one of five turnovers on downs forced by this Buckeye defense. On the ensuing possession, Jermaine Mathews picked off Manning at the Ohio State 27. The defense continued to hold strong, limiting Manning to 17-30 170 yards with 1 TD and an interception.
Buckeye Offense
While Ohio State’s offense wasn’t exactly dynamic, Ryan Day made clear the goal was just to win. Quarterback Julian Sayin, a transfer from Alabama, made his first career start, but you wouldn’t have known it watching his performance. Saying was California cool, going 13-20 for 126 yards and one touchdown, and more importantly, he protected the football the entire game. He let loose, unloading a deep ball to Carnell Tate for a 40-yard TD pass. Starting off the scoring, RB C.J. Donaldson punched into the end zone for the first touchdown of the 2025 season. Donaldson, a West Virginia transfer, finished with 19 carries for 67 yards and the score. The star WR, Jeremiah Smith, had multiple short-yardage targets but never could break through with an explosive play. Sayin played so well in his first start, winning at home against the no. 1 team that expectations may eventually become insurmountable.
Texas Too Little Too Late
Manning finally woke up late in the fourth quarter, throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Parker Livingstone with 3:28 remaining, cutting the lead to 7 and a one-possession score at 14-7. The Longhorns got the ball back with 2:26 left for a potential game-tying drive. The Buckeyes’ defense again exerted its will. On fourth-and-5, Ohio State’s edge rusher CJ Hicks quickly pressured Manning, forcing a check down to Endries before Caleb Downs, for the second meeting in a row, ended the Longhorns’ hopes of a comeback. The win gives Ryan Day his 6th straight win against a top 5 team.
Ohio State’s next two weeks lack the hype of Texas, with FCS opponent Grambling State and in-state opponent the Ohio Bobcats before they open up Big Ten play at Washington on September 27. It became clear that Ohio State should be the No. 1 team in the land when the AP is released. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have an even larger target on their back, but the good news for Buckeye Nation is the defense has reloaded, and Sayin is smooth behind center. The Buckeye won, and Corso got it right one last time.
When you look at the most recent run of defensive ends that have been excellent imports in the NFL from Penn State, they have a claim for being “EDGE U.” Newly acquired defensive end by the Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons, is considered a franchise cornerstone in the NFL. The New York Giants made Abdul […]
Stephen Leonard
Ohio State Writer
Head coach Ryan Day’s legacy at Ohio State now has a firm foundation, but it was carefully developed brick by brick. He wasn’t “born on third” as some may want you to believe; he’s earned the quick ascent, defined by both mountain tops and valleys of extreme emotions. His 70-10 record, national championship, and academic […]
Adam Hicks
Author
A Tale of Two Big Ten Legends When Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz notched his 205th career win, he didn’t just add another number to the win column — he tied the legendary Woody Hayes for the most victories by a head coach in Big Ten history. It was a quietly monumental moment that bridged two vastly […]
