Ohio State Bests Texas in 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic Rematch

The much-anticipated rematch of the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic ended with a familiar outcome. Ohio State, ranked third, secured a 14-7 win against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns at Columbus on Saturday. This victory wasn’t just significant; it was a continuation of their dominance from last season’s national championship run.

This matchup featured star quarterbacks Wil Howard for Ohio State and Quinn Ewers for Texas. Initially, it was a slow start for both teams. They struggled to maintain momentum, with Texas turning the ball over on their first drive. Ohio State’s rising star, Jeremiah Smith, faced a couple of mishaps early on, with two drops that could have been significant in the game. Still, the Buckeyes managed to push ahead and score a touchdown about nine minutes into the first half, capitalizing on several opportunities while Texas had to punt repeatedly towards the end of the half.

In the second half, Texas seemed poised for a comeback. However, they faltered again on a crucial fourth down. Manning, under pressure, attempted a risky play, but it didn’t pay off. Ohio State also struggled on their next series, punting after three plays, but Texas’s Manning threw an interception shortly after, sending Ohio State into favorable territory.

The Buckeyes quickly moved downfield, and quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Kernel Tate, extending their lead to 13-7 with just over 13 minutes left in the game.

As Texas attempted to regain control of the game, Manning had a brief reprieve when an apparent interception was overturned upon review. They reached the red zone but faltered again, failing to convert on a fourth and three. Desperation set in as they tried to rally once more, culminating in Manning’s successful 32-yard touchdown pass to Parker Livingston with just over three minutes remaining.

Texas managed to regain possession at their own 15 with a little over two minutes left but couldn’t capitalize; they fell short after another failed drive. Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, with a significant portion—132 yards—coming in the fourth quarter. He demonstrated remarkable potential against a tough defense.

For his part, Sayin, in his debut as a starter, completed 20 of 31 passes for 126 yards. This game was undoubtedly a challenge that both teams will reflect on as they move forward. Ohio State’s next challenges await against Granbring State and Ohio University, while Texas looks to bounce back in their upcoming home games against San Jose, UTEP, and Sam Houston.

What happened on this Saturday may linger in the minds of both teams for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.