A year ago, Texas entered the college football season ranked No. 1 and quarterback Arch Manning was viewed as a strong candidate to win the Heisman Trophy and be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. A loss to Ohio State derailed that. So when Manning and his Longhorns fell behind Ohio State 23-3 on Saturday night, it felt like déjà vu.
This time, however, things were different: Manning and the Texas offense marched down the field on three fourth-quarter touchdown drives to beat Ohio State 24-23.
“I couldn’t lose to them again. I had nightmares about that game last year. So, we’re glad to win tonight,” Manning said on the field immediately after the game.
By the postgame press conference, Manning had settled down a bit, but he told reporters it was the same emotion about desperately wanting to beat the Ohio State team that had given him nightmares.
“I did not want to come in here after a loss at home, to Ohio State again, and have y’all tell me we’re not good, all that stuff. I could not let that happen,” Manning said. “So that was going through my mind, let’s not let that happen. Had to get something going. I always knew we were going to be in it at the end, we just had to get something going, and whatever it takes at the end of the game. I’m so glad we won.”
Manning made some excellent throws but also missed some open receivers. He finished completing 23 of 37 passes for 195 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
“It wasn’t very pretty, but we found a way to win. That’s what good teams do,” Manning said.
Manning is now the favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft. He still has a lot of football to play before then, but he’s now earned his biggest win as a college quarterback, and put his biggest nightmare behind him.