Ryan Day explains how Ohio State gave up 20-point lead in loss to Texas
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Buckeyes had the Longhorns on the ropes.
But Ohio State got complacent. The Buckeyes dominated the first 3 quarters, leading by as much as 23-3 with 14 minutes to go. Then Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns mounted their comeback and completed it with seconds remaining, taking home the 24-23 win.
“This one hurts,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said, via ESPN. “We had them on the ropes and didn’t finish. Didn’t play well enough in the fourth quarter — that’s the bottom line.”
Another massive play in this one was Sarkisian’s decision to go for it on 4th and 9 from his own 42-yard line, trailing 23-3. Longhorns QB Arch Manning moved the sticks and Texas was in the end zone 7 plays later.
The momentum shifted when Texas converted that 4th down, and suddenly Ohio State just couldn’t get off the field. On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes missed a crucial field goal that would have increased their lead to 2 possessions with just a few minutes to go.
“When you look at not being able to get off the field on defense, when you’re really not able to sustain any drives on offense, and then you miss the field goal — all three phases didn’t get it done in the fourth quarter,” Day said. “We’ve got to own everything … and certainly that starts with me.”
Next up for the Longhorns, Texas stays home for a battle against in-state foe UTSA.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
