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Texas Longhorns - English
Texas began its 2025 football season with a narrow defeat on the road, falling 14-7 to defending national champion Ohio State. While the margin was only a touchdown, the contest highlighted areas of concern for the Longhorns, most notably the performance of starting quarterback Arch Manning.
Manning, making his debut as the team’s full-time starter, completed the game with 170 passing yards. The majority of that production came in the fourth quarter when the Buckeyes shifted into a prevent defense. The early struggles drew widespread criticism, particularly given the offseason expectations that placed Manning among the sport’s preseason Heisman Trophy candidates.
Arch Manning shows off incredible accuracy hitting moving drones
Following the game, Manning addressed the performance and acknowledged the difficulties of his first start. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he described the aftermath as a difficult adjustment.
“It was a long 24 hours,” Manning confirmed, noting that he had already reviewed the film with teammates and was turning attention to the next opponent, San Jose State.
“There wasn’t much to like, but the team battled back for the most part.”
Opportunities ahead in nonconference play
Texas now enters a September schedule that does not include a single Power Five opponent. That stretch offers time to refine offensive execution before the program moves into its first season of Southeastern Conference play.
For Manning, the upcoming games provide an opportunity to gain experience against less formidable defenses while adjusting to the responsibilities of leading one of college football’s most visible programs.
Despite the loss, there are contextual factors worth considering. Ohio State, playing at home, returned much of the roster that secured last year’s national championship. The Buckeyes controlled the pace for long stretches, but Texas remained within reach throughout the second half and had possession with a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes.
The defense, in particular, limited explosive plays and gave the Longhorns a chance to compete into the final quarter.
Even with that perspective, the defeat adds to the frustration of a fan base that has endured repeated cycles of preseason optimism followed by early setbacks. Texas has not sustained national relevance since its last title game appearance in 2009, and anticipation for Manning’s tenure has only amplified scrutiny.
His family name, recruiting profile, and preseason accolades created expectations that left little margin for error in his debut.
For head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff, the immediate task is ensuring that one game does not define the season. The offensive line showed resilience in the latter stages against Ohio State, and the defense demonstrated an ability to compete with one of the nation’s most talented rosters.
If Manning settles into the role and elevates his consistency, Texas retains the potential to contend once the conference schedule begins.
The opener underscored both the promise and the challenges facing the Longhorns. Competing closely with the defending champions provided evidence of capability, but the shortcomings on offense highlighted the work still required.
As the season progresses, Texas must transform potential into results if it is to meet the expectations surrounding the program.
This news was originally published on this post .
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