Steve Sarkisian Wants Texas To Avoid Playing Catch-Up Against Ohio State

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said the biggest common thread in the Longhorns' two losses to the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes was that Texas played from behind. Sarkisian was speaking Monday at a press conference previewing Saturday's game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Ohio State is adjusting its roster and its scheme specifically to play Texas, and treating this game as a rinse-and-repeat of the last two would be a mistake. 'I don't know if there's a common denominator. I think each was different, just like this year's different,' Sarkisian said. 'We're a different team today than we were two years ago and they are, too. They were a different team last year than the year before when you talk about Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, those guys were real factors obviously in that game two years ago. Last year, they had some elite defensive players. Three of the top (11) picks were on defense with (Caleb) Downs, (Arvell) Reese and (Sonny) Styles.' 'Everybody is changing and evolving and playing to their strengths. Last year I thought we ran the ball really well and I thought we defended the run really well,' Sarkisian continued. 'I don't think it was about physicality, I think it was about our inability to execute the other half of the offense to get points on the board when we had chances earlier in the game. I think the biggest common thread in both games was we essentially played behind. We were playing behind in the second half, and that's an uncomfortable feeling when you feel like you're having to play catch-up; you have to take a few more risks. That's probably the most common theme of the last two.' 'I felt like both games were a little bit different. Even though the scores were kind of similar, the flow of the games were a little bit different,' Sarkisian added. 'Ideally, we can put a few more points on the board earlier in the game and maybe change the math a little bit of how the game goes and not feel like we're playing behind in the fourth quarter.' Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 10, 2025, and 14-7 in the season opener at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Texas has scored 21 points across the two games. Ohio State Has Eight New Starters On Defense Carnell Tate caught 7 passes for 87 yards in the Cotton Bowl semifinal and Emeka Egbuka caught 5 for 51. Jeremiah Smith caught 1 pass for 3 yards in that game. In last season's opener, Tate caught 2 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown, CJ Donaldson Jr. carried 19 times for 67 yards, and Davison Igbinosun made 10 tackles for Ohio State. Ohio State has eight new starters on defense this season. Texas hired Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator in the offseason. Arch Manning And Julian Sayin Meet For The Second Time In last season's opener, Arch Manning threw for 170 yards with 1 interception and Texas converted 5-of-14 third downs. Julian Sayin threw for 126 yards and 1 touchdown in his first collegiate start. Texas beat Texas State 59-7 on Saturday afternoon before 102,738 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Manning completed 20-of-27 passes for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns with 1 interception before Texas pulled him in the third quarter. Ohio State beat Ball State 56-3 at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 5. The Buckeyes went three-and-out on their opening drive and scored on eight of their next 11 possessions. Sarkisian is in his sixth season at Texas. He spent 2017 and 2018 as offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan Day is in his eighth season at Ohio State. Texas finished 10-3 last season and opened this year fifth in the AP Top 25. Ohio State finished 12-2 and opened first. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday on ABC, with ESPN's College GameDay broadcasting from the Texas campus from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT.