Texas completes unimaginable comeback win over No. 1 Ohio State

Texas football lost its No. 1 status to Ohio State one year ago in Columbus. Then looked deflated for three quarters including struggling to contain Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. But quarterback Arch Manning and running back Hollywood Smothers spearheaded an unimaginable comeback Saturday from being down 23-3.

Smothers leaped past the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds left. Texas grabbed one last interception to seal the miracle 24-23 comeback win in Austin.

The victory rises as retribution for Manning and the Longhorns. The QB lost his regular season debut start last season in Columbus 14-7. But this time erased a 20-point deficit to guarantee a new No. 1 will be named on Sunday.

Manning, Smothers and this offense struggled for three quarters. Ohio State set the tone with Jay Timmons pouncing on a fumble during the game’s first offensive play. Manning later tossed a deep pass to Cam Coleman, only to watch the ball somehow bounce into the hands of the Buckeyes. The now junior QB received harsh criticism online and overheard the loud boos inside Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin. Texas even entered halftime with mustering only 97 total yards.

But Manning stayed in and continued to show grit. He tossed his first touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo from three yards out. Smothers then became the short-yardage scoring machine, tacking on the next two touchdowns from inside the five-yard line of Ohio State.

Manning went 13-of-19 on the last three drives, combining for 158 total yards including rushing. His head coach Steve Sarkisian walked off with tremendous zeal following his postgame interview.