Why Texas football, Arch Manning stumbled in red zone vs Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Texas football left its heft on the sideline, opting for speed Saturday in a situation that normally calls for size. 

Facing fourth-and-goal just a few inches from the Ohio State end zone, the Longhorns aligned themselves in a tight formation that included three wide receivers, a running back and a tight end — far from a conventional goal-line set. Quarterback Arch Manning took the snap from center Cole Hutson with 24 seconds still on the play clock. 

That was intentional, head coach Steve Sarkisian later explained. Texas wanted to prevent Ohio State from turning to its typical group of goal-line players. By sticking with the same personnel who had been on the field during the previous play and hurrying to the line, the Longhorns ensured the Buckeyes wouldn’t have time to make substitutions. 

The Longhorns hurried their way right into a stone wall. 

Ohio State stuffed the Manning’s quarterback sneak, denying Texas a chance to knot the game at seven in the third quarter of a game the Longhorns eventually lost 14-7 at Ohio Stadium. 

“Hindsight’s 20/20,” Sarkisian said. “If I could do it all over again, I’d probably sub. They could put their big guys in and we’d put our big guys in and see if we can get in the end zone.” 

The Longhorns had worked “hard” on their quarterback sneaks in the buildup to Saturday’s game, Sarkisian said, and successfully converted a fourth down with a sneak in the opening drive of the game. But Texas and its new-look offensive line couldn’t generate the required push in round two. 

It was the first of two damaging red-zone failures for the Longhorns. The second arrived with less than eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter and Texas chasing 14 points. On fourth-and-3 from the 9-yard line, Manning tossed a fade route to the corner of the end zone looking for Parker Livingstone. The pass fell incomplete, with Manning deciding against targeting an open Ryan Wingo, who was available for a first down over the middle of the field. 

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Sarkisian praised Manning for his throw, but said Wingo was the first read on that play. He added that “some would argue” Livingstone was held as he looked over his shoulder for the football. 

“I got to play better. I got to get him the ball,” Manning said of Wingo, who caught one pass for 8 yards. “He’s a really good playmaker, and couldn’t do that enough today. So that’s on me.” 

The Longhorns took two trips to the red zone and left with zero points. Add in a red zone fumble by Quinn Ewers in last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal and Texas is 0-for-its-last-3 against the Buckeyes. 

It’s a narrative attached to Sarkisian that the coach just can’t shake. His first question at SEC media days this summer concerned the Longhorns’ 2024 red zone difficulties. He laughed it off as a “jab” before delivering an earnest response about Texas’ need to improve inside the 20. 

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During his regular press conference Monday, when presented with a question about the Longhorns’ red zone outlook, Sarkisian came prepared with a stat. He noted that UT had improved its red-zone touchdown percentage by 13 points from 2023 to 2024. That jump brought the Longhorns to 63.8% — 54th nationally. The Longhorns haven’t finished in the top third of the country in red zone offense since 2021, Sarkisian’s first season on the job.

The Longhorns outplayed the Buckeyes in a handful of areas Saturday, outgaining them in total yards 336-203. But the red zone issues, paired with some costly penalties and the game’s only turnover, smashed that success into rubble that the Longhorns (0-1) must now collect and use to build a fresh foundation. 

“Got to get back to square one and then get back Monday and go prepare for San Jose State,” Manning said. 

Reach Texas Insider David Eckert via email at david.eckert@statesman.com.