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Texas stun top-ranked Ohio State in dramatic fourth quarter comeback

Texas running back Hollywood Smothers carries the ball during Ohio State matchup
Texas running back Hollywood Smothers carries the ball during Ohio State matchupDavid Buono/Icon Sportswire/Newscom

The No. 4 Texas Longhorns upset No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 after an insane fourth quarter comeback!

Running back Hollywood Smothers leaped over the pile at the goal with 25 seconds left to give the Longhorns their only lead of the entire game. 

But that's all they needed to ensure the biggest victory of any team so far this season. 

It's the largest fourth quarter comeback by Texas since 2007.

Recap

Originally, it was all Ohio State in the first half of the game. On the very first play, they forced Raleek Brown to fumble, which in turn became their first three points of the game despite getting the ball on Texas' 18. 

After Texas got the ball back, quarterback Arch Manning launched a deep ball to Cam Coleman, but he couldn't get a handle on the ball as it bounced up into the arms of Jaylen McClain, leaving Ohio State starting on their 19. 

After getting the ball back, Ohio State found paydirt. Ja'Kobi Jackson capped off an 81-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown on the ground to make it 10-3. 

Following multiple drops from the Longhorns and another Ohio State field goal, the Buckeyes looked to have put the game out of reach with a Jeremiah Smith touchdown just seconds before the end of the first half to make it 20-3.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said that it would be a fourth quarter game. And a fourth quarter game it was. 

Besides Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins hitting his third field goal of the night, both teams exchanged two punts each in the third quarter. With the Buckeyes up 20-3 heading into the fourth, Texas finally found the end zone. 

Manning tossed a short pass to Ryan Wingo for the touchdown that capped off a 15-play, 91-yard drive for the Longhorns to make it 23-10. 

Texas forced a three-and-out before putting together yet another scoring drive to make it 23-17. 

This time around, it was Smothers who drove it past the goal line to finish a 72-yard drive, putting the Longhorns within one score with 7:14 left. 

Ohio State drove down the field in seven plays, but Hawkins missed the field goal, the most crucial one of the game, that gave the Longhorns one last chance to take the lead. 

And the Longhorns wouldn't be denied. 

To end the 72-yard drive with under 40 seconds left to go in the fourth, Texas punched it in from the goal line to make it 24-23. 

Manning finished the game 23-for-37 passing with 196 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Smothers and Bo Jackson (Ohio State) tied for leading rushers with 74 yards each, but Smothers had the last laugh with two touchdowns that led to the win. 

Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith led all receivers with 164 yards on eight receptions with one touchdown.