Texas vs Ohio State Football: Full Match Player Stats
Texas Longhorns Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football: Match Player Stats
Two of the sport’s most storied programs have collided twice in less than a year, and both games came down to the final minutes. If you want the real numbers behind Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats, not just the final score, this breakdown covers every passing yard, tackle, and touchdown from both meetings.
Texas vs Ohio State: A Rivalry Renewed
Texas and Ohio State didn’t play each other for over a decade before fate threw them together twice in less than eight months. The first clash came in the 2025 College Football Playoff, and the second opened the following regular season. Both games featured tight scores, defensive stops, and a handful of players who turned into the story of the night.
- Meeting 1: 2025 Cotton Bowl, CFP Semifinal — Ohio State won 28-14
- Meeting 2: 2025 Season Opener — Ohio State won 14-7
- Location split: One neutral site (Arlington, Texas), one true road game (Columbus, Ohio)
- Combined series margin: Ohio State leads the recent series 2-0
Cotton Bowl Recap: Ohio State 28, Texas 14
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, decided who advanced to the CFP National Championship. Ohio State built an early lead behind a strong rushing attack, and Texas fought back twice in the second half before a defensive turnover sealed the outcome.
Quinshon Judkins opened the scoring with a short touchdown run, and TreVeyon Henderson turned a simple screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown right before halftime. Texas answered with two touchdown passes from Quinn Ewers to running back Jaydon Blue, tying the score at 14 apiece in the fourth quarter. Ohio State pulled away for good when defensive end Jack Sawyer forced a fumble and returned it 83 yards for the game-clinching score.
Cotton Bowl Player Stats: Passing, Rushing & Receiving
Individual player stats from the Cotton Bowl show how close the offensive production actually was between both quarterbacks, even with the final score showing a two-touchdown gap.
| Player | Team | Position | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will Howard | Ohio State | QB | 24/33, 289 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Quinn Ewers | Texas | QB | 23/39, 283 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | RB | 6 carries, 42 rushing yards |
| Quintrevion Wisner | Texas | RB | 17 carries, 46 rushing yards |
| Jaydon Blue | Texas | RB | 5 receptions, 59 yards, 2 TD |
| Carnell Tate | Ohio State | WR | 7 receptions, 87 yards |
Quinn Ewers actually out-threw Will Howard in touchdown passes during the Cotton Bowl, but the difference came down to two second-half turnovers that Texas couldn’t overcome. Howard’s ability to protect the ball down the stretch made the difference for Ohio State’s offense.
Cotton Bowl Defensive Stats That Decided the Game
Defense controlled the tempo of this matchup far more than the scoreboard suggests, and a handful of individual plays swung the entire game.
| Player | Team | Position | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Sawyer | Ohio State | DE | 1 sack, forced fumble, 83-yard fumble return TD |
| JT Tuimoloau | Ohio State | Edge | 1.5 sacks |
| Vernon Broughton | Ohio State | DT | 1 sack |
| Sonny Styles | Ohio State | LB | 9 tackles (6 solo) |
| Jahdae Barron | Texas | CB | 6 tackles (4 solo) |
| David Gbenda | Texas | LB | 1 interception |
| Caleb Downs | Ohio State | S | Game-sealing interception |
Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack turned a tied game into a two-score lead with barely two minutes left, and it stands as the single biggest defensive play across both Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football matchups this cycle.
Cotton Bowl Team Stats Comparison
Team-level totals tell a story of Texas controlling the ball more efficiently in yardage per play, while Ohio State capitalized harder on the chances it created.
| Stat | Ohio State | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 28 | 14 |
| Total Yards | 370 | 341 |
| Passing Yards | 289 | 283 |
| Rushing Yards | 81 | 58 |
| First Downs | 18 | 20 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 3/10 | 5/15 |
| 4th Down Conversions | 1/1 | 1/3 |
| Penalties | 9 for 75 yards | 5 for 54 yards |
| Time of Possession | 31:38 | 28:22 |
2025 Season Opener Recap: Ohio State 14, Texas 7
Eight months after the playoff loss, Texas traveled to Columbus for the season opener on August 30, 2025, hoping for revenge. Ohio State’s defense held firm again, limiting Texas to just one touchdown in a tightly contested rematch played almost entirely on the ground and through short passing.
Ohio State scored first when running back CJ Donaldson punched in a short touchdown run in the second quarter. Quarterback Julian Sayin added a 40-yard touchdown strike to receiver Carnell Tate early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead. Texas answered late through quarterback Arch Manning, who connected with Parker Livingstone on a 32-yard touchdown pass, but the Longhorns ran out of time to complete the comeback.
Season Opener Team Stats Comparison
Texas actually outgained Ohio State by a wide margin in total yardage during the season opener, which shows how much this game turned on red zone execution rather than raw offensive output.
| Stat | Ohio State | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 14 | 7 |
| Total Yards | 203 | 336 |
| Passing Yards | 126 | 170 |
| Rushing Yards | 77 | 166 |
| Completions/Attempts | 13/20 | 17/30 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| First Downs | 11 | 16 |
| Penalties | 2 for 15 yards | 6 for 50 yards |
| Time of Possession | 32:05 | 27:55 |
Season Opener Scoring Plays and Key Contributors
Every point in this low-scoring rematch came from a distinct player, making it easy to trace exactly how the game swung.
- Q2, 8:59 — CJ Donaldson 1-yard rush touchdown (Ohio State takes a 7-0 lead)
- Q4, 13:18 — Julian Sayin to Carnell Tate, 40-yard touchdown pass (Ohio State extends to 14-0)
- Q4, 3:35 — Arch Manning to Parker Livingstone, 32-yard touchdown pass (Texas answers, 14-7 final)
Texas moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines but stalled in scoring position for most of the night, a pattern that shows up clearly when comparing total yards to the final score.
Key Texas Longhorns Players to Watch
A handful of Texas players carried the bulk of the offensive and defensive production across both matchups against Ohio State.
- Arch Manning (QB): Threw the Longhorns’ only touchdown pass in the season opener rematch.
- Jaydon Blue (RB): Delivered two receiving touchdowns in the Cotton Bowl, Texas’ most productive offensive weapon that night.
- Jahdae Barron (CB): Led Texas defenders in tackles during the Cotton Bowl and anchored the secondary.
- Quintrevion Wisner (RB): Carried the load on the ground in the playoff loss with 17 attempts.
Key Ohio State Buckeyes Players to Watch
Ohio State’s depth showed up differently in each game, with a new set of players stepping up in the rematch.
- Jack Sawyer (DE): Delivered the single biggest defensive play of the rivalry with his Cotton Bowl fumble return touchdown.
- Julian Sayin (QB): Took over starting duties by the season opener and threw the game-sealing touchdown pass.
- Carnell Tate (WR): Hauled in touchdown receptions in both meetings, making him the most consistent offensive threat in the series.
- Sonny Styles (LB): Led all defenders in total tackles during the Cotton Bowl.
Head-to-Head Combined Stats Snapshot
Looking at both games together highlights just how evenly matched these programs have been, despite Ohio State winning both meetings.
| Category | Ohio State (Combined) | Texas (Combined) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 42 | 21 |
| Total Yards | 573 | 677 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers Forced | 2 | 1 |
| Games Won | 2 | 0 |
Texas has actually gained more total yards across both meetings, yet Ohio State has converted its opportunities into points far more efficiently, which explains the perfect record despite closer statistical output.
What to Expect in the Next Texas vs Ohio State Matchup
The two programs are scheduled to meet again on September 12, 2026, this time with Texas hosting Ohio State. Given how both previous games came down to fourth-quarter execution, expect another close battle built around red zone efficiency and defensive turnovers rather than a blowout in either direction.
- Texas will look to protect home-field advantage for the first time in this recent series.
- Ohio State’s defense has forced a turnover advantage in both prior meetings.
- Both programs return key skill players who scored in the previous matchup.
How to Watch Texas Longhorns vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football
Games between these two programs consistently draw major national broadcast windows given their playoff and championship implications.
- Check the ABC, ESPN, or Fox broadcast schedule closer to kickoff week.
- Confirm local listings through your cable or streaming provider’s sports guide.
- Streaming options typically include ESPN+ or Fox Sports app access with a valid subscription.
- Radio broadcasts are available through each school’s official athletics network.
Final Word: Two Games, One Clear Trend
Ohio State has won both recent meetings against Texas, but the underlying numbers show a rivalry far closer than the win column suggests. Turnovers and red zone execution, not raw yardage, have decided both outcomes. With a third matchup already on the schedule for September 2026, this series is shaping up to be one of the most competitive rivalries in college football.
Bookmark this page and check back after the next kickoff for updated Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats as soon as the final whistle blows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the recent matchups between Texas and Ohio State? Ohio State has won both recent meetings, taking the 2025 Cotton Bowl 28-14 and the 2025 season opener 14-7.
Who led both teams in passing yards in the Cotton Bowl? Will Howard passed for 289 yards for Ohio State, while Quinn Ewers passed for 283 yards for Texas, making it one of the closest passing duels of the playoff.
Which player had the biggest defensive play in the series? Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard fumble return touchdown in the Cotton Bowl stands as the decisive defensive play across both matchups.
When do Texas and Ohio State play next? The teams are scheduled to meet again on September 12, 2026, with Texas hosting Ohio State.
Did Texas outgain Ohio State in total yards in either game? Yes, Texas outgained Ohio State in both meetings, 341-370 in the Cotton Bowl and 336-203 in the season opener, despite losing both games.
Who scored the go-ahead touchdown in each game? Jack Sawyer’s fumble return sealed the Cotton Bowl, and Julian Sayin’s touchdown pass to Carnell Tate proved decisive in the season opener.
