Manning finished 23-of-37 for 196 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but his numbers tell only part of the story. After a first half in which he threw for just 60 yards — including minus-4 in the opening quarter — Manning found his rhythm when it mattered most, making play after play to set up the scoring drives.

'I Had Nightmares About That Game'

For Manning, the victory carried extra weight. He acknowledged the emotional toll of last season's meeting, in which Ohio State beat Texas 14-7 in the 2025 season opener. "I had nightmares about that game last year," Manning said. "I did not want to come in here after a loss at home to Ohio State again."

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised his quarterback's resilience, saying, "Arch played like a man tonight," as reported by college football insider CJ Vogel. Sarkisian also noted the significance of winning a tightly contested game: "We could be like other teams and play Jones Junior High tonight and win 66-0," he said. "Tonight we found out we can (win big games)."

Manning credited the entire team, saying, "I'm just so proud of our guys in all three phases."

Buckeyes Left to Rue Missed Chances

Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins hooked a 45-yard field goal wide left with 4:16 to play — a miss that contributed directly to the loss. The Buckeyes had controlled much of the contest, but the late-game collapse revealed vulnerabilities in all three phases, according to multiple reports.

Despite the setback, some analysts urged caution before drawing sweeping conclusions. The loss came by one point on the road against a top-five opponent, and Ohio State's entire Big Ten slate remains ahead. The Buckeyes' road schedule includes trips to Indiana, Iowa, and Southern California, with future games also featuring Kent State, Indiana (with Josh Hoover), USC (Jayden Maiava), and Oregon (Dante Moore).

Early Heisman Buzz

Manning's performance has thrust him into early Heisman Trophy discussions. While acknowledging the hype, several commentators noted that the season is still young. "We have to let the next three months play out before we make such a pronouncement," one analysis cautioned.

Sarkisian, for his part, seemed focused on the growth the win demonstrated. "I don't know what that does for us," he said. "Tonight we found out we can (win big games)." The coach also alluded to the mental shift Manning underwent, saying the quarterback was "seeing ghosts" in the first half before settling into his rhythm.

Around the Country

Elsewhere in Week 2, Oklahoma State toppled Oregon, and Tulsa beat Oklahoma State in the Cowboys' season opener. Tulsa also needed a red-zone stop to escape Sam Houston State, while Boise State narrowly got by Memphis. Colorado State visits Brigham Young next week.

Looking Ahead

Texas now sits atop the top-25 rankings after the win, while the Buckeyes — who opened the season as the No. 1 team — will look to regroup. The defeat marked Ohio State's first of the year, and the team will face a fierce gauntlet in conference play. For Manning and the Longhorns, the comeback has transformed a potential nightmare into a springboard for what could be a special season.