Texas HC Steve Sarkisian throws a bone to Ryan Day, Ohio State

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian throws a bone to Ryan Day, Ohio State

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Sep 14, 2026 10:29 PM ET

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has been on the losing end of these early-season big-time matchups before.

Last season, his team took on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus and lost, 14-7.

Perhaps that's why he's seemingly feeling a bit of sympathy for Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day in the aftermath of Texas' incredible 24-23 come-from-behind win over OSU in Week 2.

When it comes down to the College Football Playoff and things like seeding, Sark doesn't want to see OSU punished for losing this close game — especially because it was in Austin.

“Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us, and so that's my goal," Sarkisian said on Monday, per Ralph Russo of "The Athletic". "Time will tell, you know. And this isn't crying over spilled milk. I don't think we got rewarded for going to Columbus last year in Week 1.”

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian: “Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us, and so that's my goal. Time will tell, you know. And this isn't crying over spilled milk. I don't think we got rewarded for going to Columbus last year in Week One.”
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) September 14, 2026

Last season's Week 1 contest was a bit of a low-scoring "snoozefest," and to be frank, that was the case for much of this game as well — at least for Texas.

The Longhorns were down 20-3 at halftime and looked completely ill-prepared to handle the firepower of Ohio State. They were shellshocked, and that carried into the fourth quarter.

OSU went into the final quarter with a 23-3 lead.

Great game from Ohio State ruined by furious Texas comeback

And then Texas roared back, and the one-sided "snoozefest" became one of the best college football come-from-behind victories we've seen in a long time.

Texas scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, including a touchdown run with 25 seconds left that iced the comeback.

"We really played well for three quarters and then didn’t play well enough in the fourth quarter; that’s the bottom line," Day said after the contest.

That's what Texas' comeback ended up doing for Ohio State. It erased an incredible three quarters that saw OSU's defense look elite and wideout Jeremiah Smith look like a Heisman Trophy contender.

Ohio State will likely still be a playoff team, but this one had to have stung. Strangely enough, it's Sarkisian who's trying to put some balm on the wound for Day and the Buckeyes.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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