Ohio State QB Julian Sayin Beats No. 1 Texas in Historic First Start

Julian Sayin led the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes to a 14-7 victory over the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in a highly anticipated season opener, marking the first time a quarterback won his first start against the AP No. 1 team since 1984. Sayin completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards, including a pivotal 40-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate in the fourth quarter, while Ohio State's defense made crucial stops to preserve the win. Texas quarterback Arch Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception but struggled against Ohio State's defense, which was spearheaded by new coordinator Matt Patricia. The win snapped Texas' 11-game true road winning streak and continued a recent trend of defending national champions winning their season openers against the No. 1 ranked team. Sayin, a former top recruit who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State, showcased poise and game management that outshined the hype surrounding Manning. The game affirmed Ohio State's status as a national title contender and positioned them to possibly take over the top spot in the AP poll.