Texas fell short in a defensive battle against Ohio State, losing 14-7 in the season opener. We break down the key moments, mistakes, and takeaways in this instant reaction.
Texas fell short in a defensive battle against Ohio State, losing 14-7 in the season opener. We break down the key moments, mistakes, and takeaways in this instant reaction.
[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the BEST Longhorns coverage!]
Shop Academy Sports + Outdoors for top brands and low prices, with FREE in-store pickup and same-day delivery! Visit https://www.academy.com/
The postgame discussion following Texas’s 14-7 loss to Ohio State at Ohio Stadium focuses on the implications of the season-opening defeat and the performance of key players and units. Texas started the season 0-1 for the first time in years, which is significant but not catastrophic in the College Football Playoff era due to the expanded playoff format. The offensive struggles, particularly those of quarterback Arch Manning, dominated the conversation. Manning took a half to settle into the game, missing several key throws despite showing flashes of athleticism and leadership. His mechanics and accuracy were inconsistent, contributing to Texas’s lackluster offensive output.
Despite the offensive difficulties, the defense performed largely as expected. They held Ohio State to just over 200 yards and only allowed one big play, showing resilience against a top-tier opponent with NFL-caliber talent. Defensive standout Graceson Littleton made several impactful plays, and the overall defense demonstrated strong depth and consistency, maintaining a high ceiling for the season.
The team’s mindset remains optimistic, with players and coaches emphasizing that one loss does not define the season. Texas can still compete for the SEC championship and the college football playoff, though the margin for error has narrowed. The loss revealed areas for growth, especially on offense, but also reinforced confidence in the defense. The discussion closes with a hopeful outlook for the Longhorns, highlighting their youth, hunger, and potential for improvement over the remainder of the season.
Join Inside Texas for Market-Leading Texas Longhorns Football coverage!
InsideTexas.com provides just what passionate Texas fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Longhorns athletics and recruiting.
Join the best Texas fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:
- Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love
- Immediate access to any Longhorns break news
- Exclusive insider practice reports and year-round team info as well as board Q&A’s with IT staff
- High level discourse with the most passionate and informed Longhorns fans across multiple board forums.
- Market leading team analysis for those who are looking to increase their understanding of Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski’s preferred concepts
- So much more!
SIGN UP and ensure no Longhorns information gets by you: Join Inside Texas community today!
Talk about this story and many more with fellow Longhorn diehards on the Members Only forum.
Category: General Sports
