COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — College football is back at The Shoe, and No. 3 Ohio State wasted no time making a statement.

Coming into this game, the Buckeyes and Longhorns split their series evenly at two wins apiece since 2005.

The defending national champions knocked off No. 1 Texas, 14-7, in a rematch of the 2025 Cotton Bowl.

Former Buckeyes Will Howard and Cotton Bowl hero Jack Sawyer were in attendance for the marquee showdown.

Running back CJ Donaldson opened the scoring in the second quarter, powering his way into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

From there, it was the Buckeyes’ defense that took over.

Defensive end C.J. Hicks sacked Texas quarterback Arch Manning before halftime, and in the third quarter, cornerback Jermaine Mathews intercepted Manning to keep the Longhorns off the board.

The Buckeyes stretched their lead to 14-0 in the fourth when quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Carnell Tate on a 40-yard touchdown strike.

Texas answered with a late score to cut the deficit to 14-7, but Ohio State’s defense made one final stand, stopping the Longhorns on fourth down with under two minutes left to seal the win.

The Buckeyes are 1-0 on the season, while Texas suffers its first loss of the year.

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