Texas vs Ohio State Player Stats: Full Game Breakdown 2026
Introduction
The Cotton Bowl semifinal delivered everything college football fans could want—drama, momentum swings, and a gut-wrenching finish. When the Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats are examined closely, one play stands above all others. Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack and 83-yard fumble return with 2:13 remaining sealed Ohio State’s 28-14 victory. The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats reveal a game that was far closer than the final score suggests, with both teams trading blows until the final moments.
Game Overview: How the Cotton Bowl Unfolded
Ohio State struck first with a 9-yard Quinshon Judkins touchdown run on their opening drive. Texas answered late in the second quarter when Quinn Ewers connected with Jaydon Blue for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Longhorns tied it again in the third quarter, setting up a dramatic fourth quarter where Ohio State’s ground game and a defensive masterpiece made the difference.
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats show Ohio State dominating time of possession 31:38 to 28:22. The Buckeyes converted their only fourth-down attempt while Texas went 1-for-3. Those situational numbers tell the story of why Ohio State advanced to the national championship game.
Quarterback Comparison: Ewers vs Howard
Quinn Ewers (Texas)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Completions-Attempts | 23-39 |
| Passing Yards | 283 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Completion Percentage | 59% |
| Passer Rating | 131.7 |
Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Jaydon Blue for two scoring passes. The senior quarterback, who began his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, nearly authored a comeback story for the ages.
Will Howard (Ohio State)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Completions-Attempts | 24-33 |
| Passing Yards | 289 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Completion Percentage | 73% |
| Passer Rating | 150.2 |
Howard delivered an efficient performance, completing 73% of his passes for 289 yards. His 75-yard touchdown screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson late in the first half swung momentum decisively toward Ohio State.
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats at quarterback show Howard’s efficiency (150.2 rating) outpaced Ewers (131.7), though both signal-callers threw one interception.
Rushing Attack: Ohio State’s Ground Game Prevails
Ohio State Rushing Leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards | TD | Long | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinshon Judkins | 9 | 36 | 2 | 9 | 4.0 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 6 | 42 | 0 | 22 | 7.0 |
| Will Howard | 7 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0.6 |
Ohio State rushed for 81 total yards on 24 carries. Judkins scored both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the game-sealing 1-yard plunge with 7:02 remaining. Henderson’s 22-yard run showcased the explosiveness that made the Buckeyes’ ground game so dangerous.
Texas Rushing Leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards | TD | Long | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quintrevion Wisner | 17 | 46 | 0 | 13 | 2.7 |
| Jaydon Blue | 4 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 4.0 |
| Arch Manning | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8.0 |
Texas managed only 58 rushing yards on 29 carries. The Longhorns averaged just 2.0 yards per carry. Their inability to establish the run put immense pressure on Ewers throughout the contest.
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats on the ground reveal a significant disparity—Ohio State averaged 3.4 yards per carry compared to Texas’s 2.0.
Receiving Corps: Playmakers on Both Sides
Ohio State Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnell Tate | 7 | 87 | 0 | 18 | 12.4 |
| Emeka Egbuka | 5 | 51 | 0 | 14 | 10.2 |
| Gee Scott Jr. | 5 | 30 | 0 | 14 | 6.0 |
| Quinshon Judkins | 3 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 7.3 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 1 | 75 | 1 | 75 | 75.0 |
Carnell Tate led all Buckeyes receivers with seven catches for 87 yards. Henderson’s 75-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass proved devastating. Jeremiah Smith, the former No. 1 recruit who amassed 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season, was held to just one catch for three yards.
Texas Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quintrevion Wisner | 6 | 42 | 0 | 14 | 7.0 |
| Jaydon Blue | 5 | 59 | 2 | 26 | 11.8 |
| DeAndre Moore Jr. | 4 | 31 | 0 | 15 | 7.8 |
| Matthew Golden | 2 | 51 | 0 | 27 | 25.5 |
| Gunnar Helm | 2 | 42 | 0 | 34 | 21.0 |
Jaydon Blue caught both of Ewers’s touchdown passes. Matthew Golden averaged 25.5 yards per catch on his two receptions. Gunnar Helm’s 34-yard reception demonstrated the vertical threat Texas possessed.
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats in the passing game show Ohio State’s receivers collectively produced 289 yards on 24 catches, while Texas managed 283 yards on 23 receptions.
Defensive Standouts: Game-Changing Performances
Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
Sawyer’s strip-sack of Ewers with 2:13 remaining stands as the defining moment of the game. The defensive end forced the fumble and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown, turning a potential tying score into a two-touchdown deficit. This single play encapsulates why the Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats show a 14-point final margin despite Texas outgaining Ohio State in first downs 21-18.
David Gbenda (Texas)
The senior linebacker intercepted Will Howard in his final collegiate game. Gbenda’s takeaway gave Texas a short field and helped fuel their comeback attempt.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. (Ohio State)
Mathews picked off Manning with three minutes left in the third quarter, returning it five yards. Seven plays later, Ohio State scored to extend their lead to 14-0.
Texas Secondary
Texas boasted two All-Americans in Jahdae Barron at cornerback and Taaffe at safety, plus all-conference safety Andrew Mukuba. Despite their credentials, the Longhorns defense couldn’t contain Ohio State’s balanced attack in critical moments.
Team Comparison: The Numbers That Decided the Game
| Category | Ohio State | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 370 | 341 |
| Passing Yards | 289 | 283 |
| Rushing Yards | 81 | 58 |
| First Downs | 18 | 21 |
| Third Down Conversions | 3-10 (30%) | 5-15 (33%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1-1 (100%) | 1-3 (33%) |
| Time of Possession | 31:38 | 28:22 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 9-75 | 5-54 |
| Sacks | 4 | 2 |
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats reveal a game where Texas actually generated more first downs (21 to 18). However, Ohio State’s efficiency in the red zone (2-for-2) compared to Texas (1-for-2) proved decisive. The Buckeyes also converted their only fourth-down attempt while Texas failed on two of three.
By-Quarter Scoring Breakdown
| Quarter | Ohio State | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | 0 |
| 2nd | 7 | 7 |
| 3rd | 0 | 7 |
| 4th | 14 | 0 |
| Final | 28 | 14 |
Ohio State jumped to a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 14-7 at halftime. Texas tied the game 14-14 in the third quarter, but the Buckeyes dominated the fourth quarter 14-0 to secure victory.
The Arch Manning Factor
Manning saw limited action in this game, recording just one carry for eight yards. However, his performance in Texas’s season-opening loss to Ohio State earlier in the year—17 of 30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception—offers context for the quarterback’s development. The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats from that contest showed Manning struggling for three quarters before finding rhythm late. He completed 8 of 15 for 132 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter of that game.
Historical Context: A Rivalry Renewed
Ohio State has now dashed Longhorn hopes for two consecutive seasons. The Buckeyes improved to 4-3 all-time against visiting top-ranked teams. Texas, meanwhile, fell one win short of the national championship game for the second straight year. The Longhorns haven’t won a title since 2005 when Vince Young led them to glory.
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats from these meetings have consistently shown Ohio State’s ability to make game-changing defensive plays when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas vs Ohio State Player Stats
Who led the Texas Longhorns in passing yards against Ohio State?
Quinn Ewers led Texas with 283 passing yards on 23 completions in the Cotton Bowl semifinal. He completed 59% of his passes and threw two touchdowns against one interception.
How many rushing yards did Ohio State gain against Texas?
Ohio State rushed for 81 total yards on 24 carries. Quinshon Judkins led the Buckeyes with 36 yards and two touchdowns, while TreVeyon Henderson added 42 yards on six carries.
Who was the leading receiver in the Texas vs Ohio State game?
Carnell Tate led all receivers with seven catches for 87 yards for Ohio State. For Texas, Jaydon Blue led the Longhorns with five receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
What was the key play that decided the Cotton Bowl?
Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack of Quinn Ewers with 2:13 remaining and his 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown proved decisive. Texas was at the Ohio State 1-yard line with a chance to tie the game before the turnover.
How did Texas and Ohio State compare in total yards?
Ohio State outgained Texas 370 yards to 341 yards. The Buckeyes threw for 289 yards and rushed for 81, while Texas threw for 283 and rushed for 58.
What was the turnover margin in the game?
Ohio State won the turnover battle 2-1. Texas lost one fumble and threw one interception, while Ohio State committed one turnover.
What These Player Stats Tell Us About Both Teams
The Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats reveal a game that turned on a handful of critical plays. Texas moved the ball effectively, generating 21 first downs and 341 total yards. The Longhorns’ passing attack showed promise, with Ewers spreading the ball to nine different receivers.
However, Ohio State’s defense made the plays that counted. Four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and two turnovers created the margin of victory. The Buckeyes’ ability to convert in the red zone and on fourth down demonstrated the championship pedigree that carried them to the national title game.
For Texas, the rushing attack remains a concern. Fifty-eight yards on 29 carries won’t beat elite defenses. The Longhorns’ inability to run the ball consistently placed too much pressure on the passing game and allowed Ohio State’s defensive front to pin their ears back.
The Road Ahead for Both Programs
Ohio State advanced to play for a national championship for the first time since 2020. The Buckeyes proved their championship mettle by beating a talented Texas team on a neutral field.
Texas faces another offseason of what-ifs. Back-to-back semifinal losses sting. The Longhorns have the talent to compete for titles, but the Texas Longhorns football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats show they need to improve their rushing attack and situational execution to take the next step.
