STUNNER: Texas Longhorns Pull Off Miracle Comeback Against No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes

The Texas Longhorns looked finished.

Then came an ... absolute ... stunner.

No. 4 Texas erased a 20-point second-half deficit, scoring 21 unanswered points to stun No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 in Austin on Saturday.

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Let's find out how: 

Texas turned the ball over on its first two possessions.

Raleek Brown fumbled on the Longhorns' first offensive play, giving Ohio State the ball at the Texas 18. The Buckeyes settled for a field goal.

Arch Manning was intercepted by Jordon McClain on Texas' next possession before Ohio State marched 81 yards, with Jordon Jackson's 8-yard touchdown making it 10-0.

1. Texas couldn't have started much worse - Two possessions. Two turnovers. Zero points.

2. The defense limited the damage - Ohio State managed only three points after taking over at the Texas 18.

3. Jeremiah Smith was already a problem - Smith caught four passes for 48 yards in the opening quarter.

Texas stopped Ohio State on fourth down at its own 12 before finally finding some offense.

A 16-play, 69-yard drive ended with Gianni Spetic's 37-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 10-3.

Ohio State added another field goal before Texas faced fourth-and-1 at the Buckeyes' 41 late in the half. Ryan Wingo lost 10 yards, and Ohio State needed only four plays to capitalize.

Julian Sayin found Smith for a 19-yard touchdown with 10 seconds remaining.

20-3.

1. Texas finally found its running game - Hollywood Smothers and Brown helped produce the Longhorns' best possession of the half.

2. The defense kept giving Texas chances - The Longhorns produced a fourth-down stop and two sacks.

3. The final minute was disastrous - Texas went from threatening to make it a one-score game to trailing by 17.

Smith broke loose for 43 yards, but Texas held Ohio State to a 48-yard field goal.

The Buckeyes led 23-3.

Then Texas finally showed life.

Manning used his legs as the Longhorns marched 91 yards on 15 plays, reaching the Ohio State 3-yard line before the quarter ended.

1. Texas' defense wouldn't break - Ohio State managed only three points in the quarter.

2. Manning started creating - His legs became a weapon on Texas' longest drive of the night.

3. There was finally life - Down 20, Texas entered the fourth on the doorstep of its first touchdown.

Then everything changed.

Manning found Wingo for a 3-yard touchdown, and Texas' defense immediately forced a three-and-out.

The Longhorns marched 72 yards on their next possession. Manning converted fourth-and-6 with a 12-yard completion to Emmett Mosley V before Smothers ripped off an 11-yard run.

Smothers eventually scored from a yard out.

23-17.

Ohio State drove into Texas territory, but Caleb Hawkins missed a 45-yard field goal with 4:16 remaining.

One more chance.

Manning found Mosley for 17 yards before Brown broke an 11-yard run. Smothers moved the chains twice before Manning connected with Mosley for 19 yards to the Ohio State 1.

Smothers finished it.

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His 1-yard touchdown with 25 seconds remaining gave Texas its first lead.

24-23.

Ohio State couldn't answer.

1. Manning didn't fold - After a brutal start, he directed three consecutive touchdown drives to complete the comeback. Heisman-level stuff.

2. Smothers became the closer - He scored twice in the fourth, including the game-winner.

3. The defense made it possible - Ohio State scored three second-half points and none after taking a 23-3 lead.

Texas waited nearly three quarters to show up offensively … then 21 unanswered points changed everything.

A 20-point deficit became a one-point win.

Stunner.

Texas now turns its attention to UTSA, with the Roadrunners visiting Austin next Saturday at 7 p.m. CST.

The Longhorns have won both previous meetings, including a 56-7 rout in 2024. UTSA represents Texas' final nonconference matchup before the Longhorns travel to Knoxville for their SEC opener against Tennessee on Sept. 26.