After a scoreless first quarter, the game between the No.1 Texas Longhorns and the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes was a tale of two defenses... which is exactly what everyone expected.
However, as the Buckeyes marched the ball down the field during the second quarter, two veterans for the Horns defense committed fouls on sloppy plays that gifted Ohio State 25 yards. Just like that, OSU was within the 20-yard line and before anyone could blink, had found the end zone.
Two sloppy penalties by defensive end Colin Simmons and defensive back Malik Muhammad had led to Ohio State putting the first touchdown on the board.
What's wrong with the Longhorns' offense?
Just like any team in the country, including the Ohio State squad, Texas's offense was rusty in the first half. Led by Arch Manning, who was finally the starting quarterback for the Longhorns, the offense struggled to find its footing against the defending National Champions.
Before Ohio State was on the board, Texas had earned just 50 yards on offense, including a minimal 37 yards on the ground. Manning had completed just 3-of-5 pass attempts for an even more disappointing 13 yards.
Beyond the two penalties, the Horns' defense had looked dominant, already pressuring Ohio State's new starting quarterback, Julian Sayin, and holding returning star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to just two receptions for 22 yards.
Also read: Colin Simmons refuses to back down after Ohio State names QB1
Running back Cj Donaldson Jr. was the first player to cross the goal line, scoring the Buckeyes' first touchdown of the game.
With less than nine minutes remaining until halftime, the Longhorns trailed the Buckeyes 7-0, but it was far from over. Texas got the ball back, and it was time for Manning and his offensive crew to get back to business.