Ryan Day Discusses Ohio State Not Letting Texas Score Intentionally, Blowing 20-Point Lead in Loss

Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he considered intentionally allowing a Texas touchdown late in Saturday's 24-23 loss to the Longhorns.

Texas was trailing by six points when the Longhorns got the ball to the one-yard line with 1:20 remaining.

The Buckeyes offense got the ball back with less than 30 seconds remaining after playing out the drive, a decision Day said he made after Ohio State's defense blocked Texas on second down.

"We talked about it, and decided that we were gonna play defense on second down," Day told reporters after the loss. "And then when we got that stop, right there, we said, 'Alright, we're gonna take our chances. Put the ball down for one yard and see if we can stop them for two downs and win the game.'

"If they were to score there, on second down, then we would have gone from there... it didn't work out."

The Buckeyes held a 23-3 lead heading into Saturday's fourth quarter before Texas completed a historic comeback.

Ohio State had not lost a game in which the team led by at least 20 points since 2011, per CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello.

Texas' comeback started when Arch Manning began the fourth quarter by marching his team 91 yards down the field on a 15-play touchdown drive before the Buckeyes went three-and-out on their next possession.

Ohio State's defense once again struggled to contain the Longhorn's run game, which was powered by running back Hollywood Smothers, as Texas completed a second straight scoring drive to get within six points.

"When it was time to get pressure, when we needed to, we weren't able to do that at a high enough rate, and especially when the game was on the line. That's the bottom line," Day said.

The Buckeyes got within range of a field goal on the next possession but missed from 45 yards out to set the Longhorns up for a potential winning drive.

"We really played well for three quarters and then didn't play well enough in the fourth quarter... We know that's the biggest part of the season," Day said. "We have to win the fourth quarter, especially on the road."

Day continued, "When you look at not being able to get off the field on defense, when you're really not able to sustain any drives on offense, and then we missed the field goal— all three phases didn't get it done in the fourth quarter, so we've all got to own that."

Ohio State will look to bounce back from Texas' stunning comeback next Saturday when the Buckeyes resume play at noon against visiting Kent State.