**Ohio State Triumphs Over Texas in 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic Rematch**
In a thrilling rematch of the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic, No. 3 Ohio State emerged victorious against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns, securing a 14-7 win in Columbus on Saturday. This victory mirrors their previous encounter, where Ohio State also defeated Texas, led by quarterbacks Will Howard and Quinn Ewers, to clinch last season’s national championship.
Texas entered Ohio Stadium as the nation’s top team but struggled to showcase their dominance. Both teams faltered offensively at the start, with turnovers on downs during their opening drives. Ohio State’s rising star, Jeremiah Smith, faced early challenges with two dropped passes, but the Buckeyes managed to score a rushing touchdown on fourth and goal with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. Meanwhile, Texas was unable to advance, punting on their last four drives of the half.
The second half began with Ohio State going three-and-out, allowing Texas to gain momentum. However, their drive stalled at the goal line when Arch Manning attempted to score but was stopped on fourth down. Ohio State’s subsequent possession also ended quickly, but Manning’s interception returned to the Buckeyes’ 32-yard line shifted the momentum. Ohio State capitalized on this opportunity, with quarterback Julian Sayin connecting with Carnell Tate for a touchdown, extending their lead to 14-0 with 13:08 left in the game.
Texas fought back, moving into Ohio State’s territory. Manning received a reprieve when a potential interception was overturned to an incomplete pass after review. The Longhorns reached the red zone but failed to convert on a crucial fourth down, marking their third consecutive unsuccessful attempt after an initial conversion earlier in the game.
In a last-ditch effort, Texas marched down the field, and Manning finally found the end zone, connecting with Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown with 3:28 remaining. After forcing Ohio State into another three-and-out, Texas regained possession at their own 15-yard line with 2:26 left. Manning completed a precise 30-yard pass, but the Longhorns could not secure another first down.
Manning finished the game with 17 completions on 30 attempts for 170 yards, with 132 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter. This marked his first road start, a challenging task against what many consider the best defense in the nation. In his debut as a starter, Sayin completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards.
Looking ahead, Ohio State will face Grambling State and Ohio University in the coming weeks, while Texas aims to bounce back with upcoming games against San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston State.
**FAQ**
**What was the outcome of the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic rematch?**
Ohio State defeated Texas 14-7 in the rematch, continuing their winning streak against the Longhorns.