Eric Boggs
In front of 107,524 roaring fans at Ohio Stadium, Ohio State proved once again why it wears the crown as defending national champions. Despite replacing eight NFL draft picks on defense, the Buckeyes delivered a statement performance, shutting down No. 1-ranked Texas and walking away with a gritty 14-7 victory to open the 2025 season. From the opening whistle, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a shootout — it was going to be a war in the trenches — and Ohio State’s defense was more than ready.
The tone was set on Texas’ opening drive when linebacker Arvell Reese stuffed CJ Baxter on 4th-and-2 at the Buckeyes’ 42-yard line. That early statement carried through the night, as Matt Patricia’s defense repeatedly slammed the door on Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ high-powered offense. Texas converted just one of five fourth-down attempts.
Ohio State’s offense took some time to find its rhythm, but it drew first blood midway through the second quarter. Facing 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line, Ryan Day put four tight ends on the field and called on freshman Nate Roberts for his first career snap as a lead blocker. CJ Donaldson powered in behind him for the Buckeyes’ first touchdown of the season and the only points of the first half. It was an old-school, smashmouth moment that reminded everyone this team’s identity in 2025 is built on toughness.
The Buckeyes’ defense delivered another huge stop to open the second half, stuffing Arch Manning short of the goal line on 4th-and-goal from the one. That stand carried even more weight considering that just last season, Jack Sawyer’s game-changing strip-sack against Texas helped seal Ohio State’s win. This time, it was a complete team effort, proving the Silver Bullets can dominate even without some of last year’s stars.
Then came the turning point. With the Buckeyes clinging to a 7-0 lead, cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. perfectly read Manning’s deep shot and came down with a huge interception, halting Texas’ drive. The offense finally answered on the next big moment, and it was a highlight-reel play that will live on in Ohio State lore. Julian Sayin, making his first career start after stepping in for Will Howard, dropped back and delivered a perfectly placed deep ball to Carnell Tate. Tate juggled the ball over tight coverage before securing a spectacular 40-yard touchdown grab to put the Buckeyes up two scores with just over 13 minutes remaining.
Texas wouldn’t go down quietly. Arch Manning finally broke through late in the fourth quarter, finding Parker Livingstone on a 32-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7. The Longhorns’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, setting up one final chance to tie the game. But Ohio State’s defense rose one last time. On 4th-and-5, linebacker C.J. Hicks brought pressure, forcing Manning to dump the ball short to tight end Jack Endries. Safety Caleb Downs read it perfectly, closing fast and making a game-clinching tackle two yards short of the sticks. The Horseshoe erupted as the Buckeyes’ fourth fourth-down stop sealed the win.
For Julian Sayin, it wasn’t a flawless debut, but it was exactly the kind of performance Ohio State needed from its new quarterback. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards, showed composure under pressure, and delivered the biggest throw of the night when it mattered most. Tate’s touchdown grab will grab the highlights, but the victory belonged to the Buckeyes’ defense — a unit that lost nearly an entire starting lineup to the NFL yet played like it hasn’t missed a step.
Before kickoff, Ohio State unveiled its 2024 national championship banner, Lee Corso picked the Buckeyes on his final College GameDay headgear pick, and Archie Griffin rang the Victory Bell as Ohio State’s first-ever pregame ringer. It felt like the start of something special, and the game that followed delivered. With 33 NFL scouts from 22 teams in attendance, Ohio State made a statement: The Silver Bullets are alive and well, and Ryan Day’s team isn’t backing down from anyone.
Next up, Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium next Saturday to host Grambling State at 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network. After shutting down the No. 1 team in the country and proving that toughness still defines this program, the Buckeyes will head into Week 2 brimming with confidence. For fans, Saturday was more than just a win — it was a reminder that this team has the heart, the depth, and the swagger to win its own crown.
