No. 1 Texas Longhorns Scoreless at Halftime vs. Ohio State

The Texas Longhorns, ranked preseason No. 1 for the first time in program history, faced a tough defensive battle against No. 3 Ohio State in their 2025 season opener, being held scoreless in the first half—a rare event not seen since Florida State in 1988. Texas quarterback Arch Manning struggled through the first half, completing only 5 of 10 passes for 26 yards, while the Longhorns managed just 79 yards of total offense. Ohio State took a 7-0 lead at halftime, scoring on a one-yard touchdown run by CJ Donaldson following two critical Texas penalties that extended their drive. Both teams displayed strong defenses and cautious offensive play, with neither side gaining significant momentum early on, marking the lowest score between two top-three teams at halftime since 2011. The matchup carried added significance as Texas sought redemption for a previous playoff loss to Ohio State, but the Longhorns' offense has yet to find its rhythm in a challenging atmosphere at Ohio Stadium. Head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized the importance of on-field performance over preseason rankings as Texas looks to rebound in the second half.