Texas vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Live In-Game Updates

The day has finally come.

The No. 1 Texas Longhorns are set to kick off their 2025 season against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio, at 11 a.m. CST.

This College Football Playoff semifinal rematch gives the Longhorns a chance to redeem themselves against the Buckeyes and set the tone for the challenging season ahead.

Quarterback Arch Manning has officially taken the reins, and this game marks his first opportunity to build his legacy as a starter. The stakes are high at Ohio Stadium, and a victory for the Longhorns could propel them into what has the potential to be a season for the history books.

The Buckeyes and the Longhorns are set to deploy two of the nation’s most highly regarded defenses, and only the action that occurs within the next four quarters could reveal which team possesses more talent and drive.

Follow along below for live in-game updates and highlights after kickoff:

FIRST QUARTER

The Texas Longhorns received the ball first on offense, and Manning and his offense relied heavily on running back CJ Baxter throughout the drive. His longest carry, with the exception of his initial kick return, resulted in a 14-yard gain and a Texas first down. The Longhorns went for it twice on fourth down, converting the first time but coming up short the second and giving the Buckeyes the ball.

change of possession

The Buckeyes started with three unsuccessful rushing attempts at earning a first down, and an incomplete pass from quarterback Julian Sayin on fourth down resulted in a turnover on downs.

change of possession

Texas started near the 50-yard line, but they ultimately couldn't earn a first down during the drive. A false start from offensive tackle Brandon Baker set them five yards back on third down, and Baxter found himself unable to progress more than four yards forward off his third down reception.

change of possession

Ohio State started the drive on thier own eight-yard line, and they were able to convert for a first down through an 11-yard reception by tight end Max Klare. That being said, the first down was promptly followed by two dropped passes by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and a rushing attempt by running back James Peoples that resulted in the loss of a yard. Texas linebacker Liona Lefau was the one with the stop.

change of possession

The Longhorns had another three-and-out drive near the end of the quarter. Manning kept the ball on third down and tried to scramble his way to a gain for Texas, but he was ultimately stopped just 1-yard past the line of scrimmage.

change of possession

SECOND QUARTER

This drive marked the longest one of the game so far, as Ohio State started on their own 20-yard line and strung together 13 plays for four first downs and a touchdown. Texas cornerback Graceson Littleton, a true freshman, helped prevent both Smith and wide receiver Brandon Inniss from snagging two deeper passes, but penalties by both edge rusher Colin Simmons and cornerback Malik Muhammad plagued the Longhorns' defensive efforts. It was running back CJ Donaldson who ultimatley ran it into the endzone on a 1-yard play. Kicker Jayden Fielding sank the extra point, making the score 7-0 in favor of the Buckeyes.

change of possession

Texas started on their 25-yard line, and Manning kicked off the drive with a nine-yard run. Wide receiver Ryan Wingo finally made his first reception of the matchup, but he found himself covered too tightly to make a second reception off a deep pass from Manning. The drive concluded with Manning enduring a sack by Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese on third down, and the Longhorns were forced to punt.

change of possession

The Buckeyes started this drive all the way back on their own 2-yard line, and pressure from the Longhorn defense proved strong enough to stop them from gaining too much offensive momentum. Sayin completed a pass to wide receiver Carnell Tate for nine yards and a first down, but they couldn't get past their own 23-yard line before having to punt.

change of possession

The Longhorns started on their 47-yard line, and they couldn't get very far past it due to Ohio State's strong defensive efforts. After another three-and-out drive, Texas punted from the Ohio State 45-yard line with 35 seconds left to play in the first half.

change of possession

The Buckeyes received the ball inside their 5-yard line, and the end of the first half quickly approached.

HALFTIME

THIRD QUARTER

Ohio State started the half with a three-and-out drive, gaining just six yards throughout its entirety. They punted from their 31-yard line, giving the ball to Texas' offense quickly.

change of possession

Texas started the new half on their 29-yard line with what appeared to be more pep in their step, but they fell just short of converting on fourth down at Ohio State's 1-yard line. The drive was highlighted by a 15-yard rushing first down by Manning, a few strong gains by Baxter and running back Quintrevion Wisner and a 9-yard reception by wide receiver DeAndre Moore to get Texas just outside of the red zone. However, their inability to get on the scoreboard during this 15-play drive could hurt them later on in the matchup.

change of possession

The Buckeyes weren't able to generate offensive success this drive. They started on their own 1-yard line, and by fourth down, they had gained a total of only six yards. Donaldson was the one who created the 6-yard gain on the run, but it wasn't enough to extend his team's time on offense.

change of possession

This drive contained the game's first turnover and Manning's first interception of the 2025 season. He sent the ball deep on second down, and cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr. of the Buckeyes ended up being the one to get on the other end of the pass. He returned it for five yards to the Ohio State 32-yard line.

change of possession

FOURTH QUARTER

The Buckeyes scored a touchdown off a completed 40-yard pass from Sayin to Tate, and Fielding's extra point made the score 14-0. The drive contained a total of seven plays, 68 yards and nearly five minutes.

change of possession

This drive was one made up of high highs and low lows, and it ultimately ended with an incomplete pass attempt to wide receiver Parker Livingstone in the endzone. The drive lasted 13 plays, and the Longhorns traveled from the Texas 15-yard line to the Ohio State 9-yard line throughout its duration. It included a 13-yard run by Wisner, a 15-yard reception by Livingstone, an interception scare, a 14-yard reception by tight end Jack Endries and more.

change of possession

Ohio State gained 11 yards over five plays during this drive, making their way from their 9-yard line to their 20-yard line. Offensive holding by offensive tackle Luke Montgomery hurt their momentum, and they ultimately punted to the Texas 40-yard line.

change of possession

The scoring drought finally ended for Texas, as Manning found Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown. Kicker Mason Shipley drove in the extra point, narrowing Texas' deficit to seven points. With just under three and a half minutes left on the clock, the score sits at 14-7.

change of possession

The Buckeyes received the ball at their own 25-yard line, and they proceeded to go three-and-out within the span of roughly a minute.

change of possession

Despite their best efforts, Texas came up short in an attempt to tie the game up. A 30-yard reception by Endries highlighted the drive, but the Longhorns ultimately only made it from their 15-yard line to Ohio State's 47-yard line.

change of possession

Ohio State ran the clock down to secure a 14-7 victory.