Just over a month before their season-opening game, the Ohio State Buckeyes suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the Texas Longhorns.

Just over a month before the start of their 2025 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes took the field for a highly anticipated summer scrimmage against the Texas Longhorns—and what happened shocked college football fans across the country. In what was supposed to be a tune-up or test run, the Buckeyes were dominated and humiliated by a powerful, focused Texas team. The final score? Texas 38, Ohio State 10. And that didn’t even fully show how one-sided the game felt.

For Ohio State, this wasn’t just a scrimmage loss. It was a loud warning. A wake-up call. The Buckeyes, who are usually one of the top programs in the country, looked outmatched in every phase of the game. Their offense couldn’t get into rhythm. Their defense struggled to contain the Longhorns’ explosive playmakers. Their coaching decisions were questioned. And the energy on the sideline? Quiet and confused.

The game, which was part of a joint preseason training event between the two powerhouse schools, was played at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas. Though it wasn’t an official NCAA game, both teams suited up in full pads and treated it like a serious battle. Fans, media, and scouts were watching. Everyone expected a close contest. Instead, they watched Texas make a statement—and Ohio State look unprepared.

The Longhorns came out fast. On their first drive, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, a former Ohio State player himself, led his team down the field with confidence and precision. Just five plays in, he connected on a deep 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond. The Longhorns took a 7-0 lead and never looked back.

On the Buckeyes’ first offensive possession, things went from bad to worse. Their new starting quarterback, redshirt sophomore Devin Brown, was sacked twice and threw an interception on 3rd-and-long. Texas linebacker Anthony Hill read the play perfectly, jumped the route, and returned the ball to the Ohio State 20-yard line. Two plays later, running back CJ Baxter punched it into the end zone. 14-0.

By the end of the first quarter, it was 21-0. Ohio State’s offensive line was getting pushed around, their receivers were struggling to get open, and their defense looked flat-footed and overwhelmed. It was shocking to see a team like the Buckeyes—who pride themselves on being physical, smart, and well-coached—look so lost.

The second quarter didn’t go much better. Though Ohio State finally got on the board with a 38-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding, Texas answered right back with a long, methodical drive that ended in another touchdown. Ewers was nearly perfect in the first half, going 14-for-17 with two touchdowns and no turnovers. The Longhorns entered halftime leading 28-3.

Inside the Ohio State locker room, head coach Ryan Day tried to settle his team down. He reminded them that it wasn’t a regular season game, that there was still time to improve before Week 1, and that their effort needed to match Texas’ intensity. The message was clear. But whatever spark they hoped for didn’t come.

In the third quarter, the Buckeyes showed some life. Running back TreVeyon Henderson broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run. That made it 28-10. But again, Texas had an answer. On the very next drive, the Longhorns drove 80 yards and added a field goal. A few drives later, another Texas touchdown made it 38-10.

Fans in the stands and watching online began to ask the same questions. What’s wrong with Ohio State? Is the quarterback ready? Is the defense good enough? Where’s the leadership?

Ohio State’s offense looked confused all game. Devin Brown finished the game completing only 11 of 26 passes for 128 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was under pressure all day, and when he wasn’t sacked, he was throwing off his back foot. His connection with star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka never clicked, and the offense had just four total first downs in the first half.

On defense, the Buckeyes couldn’t stop the run or the pass. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and poor communication allowed Texas to move the ball with ease. Star defensive end Jack Sawyer was double-teamed most of the day, and the rest of the defense failed to pick up the slack.

After the game, Coach Ryan Day didn’t hide his disappointment. “There’s no sugar-coating it,” he said during his press conference. “We got beat today. And not just beat—we got outcoached, outplayed, and out-hustled. We have a lot of work to do, and we’re going to get back to practice and fix it.”

Still, Day tried to keep some perspective. “This wasn’t a regular-season game,” he said. “But it was a test. And we failed it. That gives us a clear picture of where we are—and how far we have to go.”

For Texas, the game was a huge confidence boost. Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team’s focus and execution. “We treated this like a playoff game,” Sarkisian said. “We wanted to see how we stack up against one of the best programs in the country. And we showed we belong at the top.”

Quinn Ewers was all smiles after the game, especially when asked about facing his former team. “It felt good,” he said. “I’ve got respect for those guys over there, but today was about us. We’re chasing something big this year.”

Indeed, Texas looked like a team ready to contend for the College Football Playoff. Their offense was explosive, their defense was sharp, and their sideline energy was high from start to finish. The Longhorns looked like a team with purpose.

Back in Columbus, though, the Buckeyes now face a difficult month of preparation before their season opener against Missouri. The questions swirling around the program won’t go away overnight. Is Devin Brown the right quarterback? Can the offensive line improve? Can the defense recover from such a beating?

Leadership will matter more than ever. Veteran players like TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, and JT Tuimoloau will need to step up—not just on the field but in the locker room. The coaching staff will need to make adjustments. Mistakes must be corrected, and confidence must be rebuilt.

For Ohio State fans, the loss is frustrating and embarrassing. But the season hasn’t started yet. There’s still time to grow. The Buckeyes have talent—plenty of it. But talent alone doesn’t win championships. Execution, focus, and heart do. And right now, those things are missing.

The 2025 season was supposed to be Ohio State’s return to dominance. After back-to-back losses to Michigan and disappointing playoff exits, fans were hoping for a breakthrough year. But now, just a few weeks before the real games begin, that hope is being tested.

For now, all eyes are on how the Buckeyes respond. Will they use this loss as motivation? Or will it be a sign of bigger problems ahead?

One thing is for sure—there is no hiding in the world of college football. The lights are bright. The pressure is real. And for Ohio State, the time to fix things is running out.

Texas may have won this summer battle. But the war—the 2025 college football season—is just beginning. And the Buckeyes know that if they want to compete at the highest level, they must be better. A lot better. And fast.