Arch Manning 'Had Nightmares,' Everything Texas QB, Sarkisian Said After Ohio State Win in Video

Arch Manning wasn't about to let it happen again.

He and Texas managed just seven points in a season-opening loss to Ohio State in 2025, and it seemed like history was repeating itself Saturday when the Longhorns trailed 23-3 in the fourth quarter against the Buckeyes. That's when the quarterback put his team on his back and directed a stunning comeback to clinch a 24-23 victory.

"I couldn't lose to them again," Manning said immediately after the game. "I had nightmares about that game last year. So, we're glad to win tonight."

Arch, KD dap up after wild Texas comeback win over Ohio State

It clearly meant a lot to the quarterback, as he jumped up and down on the sidelines and celebrated with his teammates as the clock expired.

"It was all emotion," he said . "You dream of playing in games like this, hosting the No. 1 team at home. How about that, getting a win by one point? Let's go, baby."

Head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters, "Arch played like a man tonight. … He started, we say sometimes, seeing ghosts. Where he got back into his rhythm was when he just went back to playing and stopped overanalyzing, trying to be so perfect."

The head coach continued and said , "Is this the biggest win? I don't know. We've had some great ones. We've had some really big moments, but this one is special. You know, when you beat the No. 1 team in the country in the fashion that we did, to come back the way that we did, to represent Longhorn Nation, to represent the name on our chest, Texas, I think it means a lot."

While Manning was the star, Sarkisian's decisions to go for multiple fourth downs, including from his own territory when the Longhorns were facing a significant deficit, also stood out.

"They didn't hire me to keep it close," Sarkisian said. "They hired me to win.

"I'm aggressive by nature. I think there's a sense of confidence from the players to know, hey, if I believe in them to execute a play, I'm going to call the play. I believe in our players."

That aggression from Sarkisian stood in stark comparison to Ryan Day and Ohio State on the other side.

The Buckeyes punted from 4th-and-4 from Texas' 39-yard line at one point with an opportunity to put the game away. They also rushed three on defense a number of times as the Longhorns were coming back, which gave Manning plenty of time to dissect the secondary from the pocket.

Throw in the conservative play-calling on offense as the visitors seemed to be more focused on running out the clock than dominating like they did in the first half, and Ohio State left the door open for Texas.

He converted a 4th-and-9 from his own 42-yard line on his team's first touchdown drive before delivering on a 4th-and-6 from his own 32-yard line on the second touchdown drive. Had Manning and the offense failed to convert either of those opportunities, Ohio State surely would have won the game.

Running back Hollywood Smothers ended up scoring the final two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final seconds, but it was Manning who stood strong against the Ohio State defense and made winning play after winning play.

"I did not want to come in here after a loss at home, to Ohio State again, and have y'all tell me we're not good, all that stuff. I could not let that happen," Manning said in the aftermath. "So that was going through my mind, let's not let that happen. Had to get something going. I always knew we were going to be in it at the end, we just had to get something going, and whatever it takes at the end of the game. I'm so glad we won."

The Longhorns certainly got it going just in time, and they now have a massive win that will bolster their resume when the College Football Playoff committee is selecting the 12-team field.

Considering Texas just missed last year's CFP with three losses, one of which came against the Buckeyes, it is in a much better position than it was a year ago.