Texas Longhorns’ Remarkable Comeback Against Ohio State

On Saturday, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian experienced a roller-coaster night. His team, the Longhorns, faced an initial deficit but staged an impressive rally to narrowly defeat Ohio State, ending the game 24-23. This thrilling college football matchup took place in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2026.

Midway through the game, Texas found themselves trailing 23-3 in the third quarter. However, the team managed an epic comeback, stunning Ohio State with a final score of 24-23. The victory was celebrated energetically by Sarkisian and his players.

Despite the win, Sarkisian encountered some frustration during halftime and postgame interviews. When Texas was down 20-3, ESPN’s broadcast captured Sarkisian hurriedly making his way through the tunnel, while Laura Rutledge, a sideline reporter, attempted to connect with him. Rutledge later clarified that Sarkisian had been waiting patiently due to ESPN’s technical difficulties. He ultimately declined the interview after a prolonged wait, but he offered an apology, although Rutledge emphasized that the apology was owed from them, not to him.

Once the game concluded, ESPN’s Holly Rowe managed to approach Sarkisian once more, aiming to capture his thoughts on the victory. The interaction was brief, however, with Sarkisian delivering just a short remark before hastening back to the locker room. He stated, “Texas fight, hook ’em,” which sparked mixed reactions online.

Contributing to the game’s dramatic turnaround, quarterback Arch Manning threw for 195 yards and secured a touchdown pass. Additionally, Hollywood Smothers played a pivotal role, rushing for 74 yards and recording two touchdowns. On the opposing side, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin notched 278 passing yards, along with a touchdown pass and an interception. Jeremiah Smith was a standout receiver with eight catches totaling 164 yards and a touchdown.