One of the best atmospheres in wrestling awaits.

WWE returned to France today, where an electric crowd showed out for Clash in Paris 2025. It was the second premium live event to take place in the country and first one since Backlash 2024. That event, held in May last year, was one that wrestling fans will remember for years to come thanks to one of the most raucous crowds in recent memory.

The fans certainly made this another fun international event. Five matches took place Sunday, headlined by a fatal four-way for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena facing Logan Paul as his farewell tour reaches its end.

All in all, zero titles changed hands, but that didn’t stop several of the matches from delivering. The fatal four-way was fantastic and offered a totally unexpected ending that shocked fans. Logan Paul vs. John Cena wasn’t just fun, it was riveting and showcased the best of what both wrestlers had to offer. Sheamus vs. Rusev was violent, dirty, harsh, everything a donnybrook should be.

This was certainly one of the best international events in recent memory. Here are the highlights from the event.

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Rollins retains title thanks to his wife

After Jey Uso stuck his neck out to protect a defenseless Roman Reigns, the fatal four-way started off as bad as it could have for him, with CM Punk delivering a kick that would make titans shiver.

Uso remained out of the fight for about two minutes after that, allowing LA Knight to attempt a quick pin on Punk, who promptly kicked out.

Punk was gifted a few moments alone in the ring with the damaged Uso, and Punk took advantage, damaging Uso even worse, but Punk was pulled out by Rollins, who proceeded to keep laying hands on Uso until LA Knight returned to team up on Rollins.

Rollins would be the first to dominate the ring, walking around and laying individual hits on each competitor about five times each, but he never really had an opportunity to attempt a pin. Once everyone recovered, their gameplan was clear though. They all ganged up on Rollins. At one point, LA Knight threw Punk off Rollins, just to get a few licks in himself. No one was making a push for the title. They just wanted to kick Rollins into the ground and throw him through a table, even teaming up to lay everything out.

However, that plan fell through when Uso took the opportunity to return Punk’s early kick. Uso would also land a super kick on LA Knight and follow Rollins into the crowd to hit him with a few uppercuts.

When the four returned to the ring, Rollins had the first opportunity for a win, pinning Punk while LA Knight and Jey Uso were recovering. Punk kicked out though.

At that point, it was anyone’s match, every contender had their own moment with a chance to win. Everyone had a pin attempt, but interference, kick outs, and counterattacks were common.

Uso shined throughout the match, even with his injured ribs, he put up great fights against the other contenders. While he did usually lose his individual fights, even taking a harsh kick to the face from LA Knight, Uso often found himself in the middle of the action, causing havoc and problems for anyone trying to overlook him.

In general, the wrestlers with the most chances to win were Seth Rollins and CM Punk. Each of the were laying out competitors and attempting pins left and right, but neither was able to seal a victory. Rollins, specifically, was targeting Punk, even going out of his way to mock Punk, telling him that he hopes he never has a match in WWE again. He screamed, ‘I hate you. I hate your family, and I want you to go away.’

Right after that brief monologue, Rollins grabbed a chair and was all alone in the ring with Punk. Rollins attempted to seriously hurt Punk, but Punk was just able to evade the move, and nearly countering Rollins had it not been for a low blow from Becky Lynch, who flew in to save her husband.

That interference was all Rollins needed. Punk was out for the count, and Rollins pinned him with ease. WWE’s power couple of Rollins and Lynch each maintained their titles tonight.

While a return from Breakker or Reed was expected, it would’ve cost The Vision two titans, but instead it was a best-case scenario for the group. Not only did Rollins retain the title, but neither Breakker nor Reed will suffer suspension.

John Cena doles Logan Paul a lesson in respect

As much as Cena wanted to teach Logan Paul to show respect in this match, Paul put up a good fight, giving the former champion a run for his money at multiple points throughout the fight. No matter what great maneuver Paul pulled in this fight though, the crowd was entirely behind Cena, even mirroring Cena’s classic ‘U Can’t See Me’ taunt after Cena laid Paul out center ring.

Paul’s athleticism was on full display in this fight. The YouTuber was flipping over the ropes, flipping out of throws from Cena and was crawling all over old man Cena throughout the fight, constantly putting Cena in uncomfortable positions. However, Cena was able to turn some of those moves around, nearly getting Paul to tap out on occasion.

The pair traded pins for the next fifteen minutes or so. Paul got the upper hand late in the fight, slamming Cena on the ring multiple times and even mocking Cena with a ‘U Can’t See Me’ chant of his own right in Cena’s face. Cena would not go down like that though. He wouldn’t even go down after Paul hit him with his titanium-loaded right hand.

About thirty minutes into the match, both fighters were extremely tired, but Paul still managed to kick up from the floor without his hands, showing that his youth was turning into a massive advantage. After everything Cena had thrown at Paul, Paul still had the energy to pull of athletic feats other wrestlers can only dream of.

Paul used that energy to mock Cena once again, but just like the first time, Cena turned that around. Paul was looking for an AA, but it was countered and Cena managed to slam Paul, but Paul kicked out without much issue.

Cena kept his foot on the gas though, hitting Paul with back-to-back Attitude Adjustments. Paul tried his best to avoid the inevitable, hitting Cena with that deadly right hand again, but Cena merely shook it off and pinned Paul for the win.

Rusev defeats Sheamus in a good ol’ fashioned donnybrook

This match was as back-and-forth as any match can be, which is to be expected from a donnybrook. No rules, no one holds back. From kendo sticks to shillelaghs to barstools. Everything was used as a weapon in this fight.

Rusev and Sheamus traded blows the whole time. However, the tide turned when Rusev tried to embarrass Sheamus by holding him over the rope and beating Sheamus’ drum, which is normally a move reserved to Sheamus.

Sheamus showed why it was his move, doing the same thing to Rusev three separate times. Once over the ropes, once over the bar setup outside the ring, and once outside the barrierrs. All of that resulted in a pin attempt for Sheamus that Rusev was shockingly able to kick out of.

The battle continued and returned to its back-and-forth nature. It was unclear who had the advantage, and the French crowd responded with ‘This is awesome’ chants. Every blow landed by Rusev was retaliated by Sheamus. The match moved all over the venue, including the top of whiskey barrels placed alongside the announcer’s tables.

That was one of the defining moments of the match. Rusev had Sheamus in a monster hold, knees in his back, hands over his chin. It looked like Sheamus might tap out, which wouldn’t have done anything since the submission would had to happen in ring, but it emphasized how much pain Sheamus was in. However, Sheamus didn’t tap. In fact, he turned it around, launching Rusev onto tables next to the barrels. After Sheamus dragged Rusev back into the ring, he attempted to pin again, but Rusev managed to kick out.

Rusev responded by shattering a shillelagh across Sheamus’ body. That type of blow would normally devastate your average wrestler, but Sheamus managed to kick out. However, the fight wouldn’t last much longer. Rusev would use the broken shillelagh to hold Sheamus in a painful position. The shillelagh was shoved into Sheamus’ mouth as Rusev stuck his knees in Sheamus’ back.

For jus the second time in his storied career, Sheamus tapped out.

Becky Lynch retains Intercontinental Championship

The Man started this match off hot, taunting, disrespecting, and downright humiliating Bella. Bella needed to kick out of two pin attempts before even really getting a shot at Lynch.

In general, Bella never really had a strong stretch. Most opportunities Bella had were brief counterattacks on Lynch. When Lynch would pin Bella, Bella would occasionally turn it around and turn it into a slam or counterpin. However, Lynch was fighting like her life depended on it the whole match.

The only problem was that no matter how much Lynch threw at Bella, Bella looked fresh. At times, it looked like she was smiling when Lynch would pull her in a chokehold or pin.

Bella’s best opportunity came after Lynch missed a launch from the corner. Lynch’s miss put her off-balance, and Bella took advantage, putting Lynch in a chokehold. Lynch was able to reach the ropes to break the hold, but Bella maintained her momentum, keeping the pressure on Lynch.

Ultimately, that enthusiasm from Bella is what would do her in. After slamming Lynch off the steel steps, and hitting Lynch with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch stayed resilient.

Lynch would seal the victory by securing a Lynch-pin afer rolling over Bella’s back.

Wyatt Sicks retain against The Street Profits

This title rematch got off to a weird start, as Angelo Dawkins dominated the start of the match, but teammate Montez Ford still hit Dawkins with a hard tag to get in the ring against Dexter Lumis. Dawkins was clearly displeased with the decision.

Although Ford would hit Loomis hard, Lumis ouwld be able to tag Joe Gacy and the pair would put a serious beatdown on Ford in the opposite corner, far away from Dawkins. Ford would kick out of three pin attempts before finally being able to tag Dawkins back in.

Dawkins destroyed Joe Gacy, hitting him in a series of flying kicks and neckbreakers before trying to finish the fight with a swanton bomb. Gacy was able to kick out.

The Street Profits absolutely dominated the fight from that point on. It was getting so bad that the rest of the Wyatt Sicks had to step in, with Nikki Cross and Uncle Howdy holding Ford back, preventing him from helping Dawkins, which ultimately allowed Lumis and Gacy to pin Ford for the win and retention of their tag team title.

Adam Pierce kicks Reed, Breakker out of Paris La Défense Arena

Backstage, Adam Pierce wasted no time telling Reed and Breakker off. He informed fans that Uso would be hobbled for his match later and Roman Reigns was being taken to the hospital.

Pierce kicked the pair out of the venue, telling them that they would not be allowed near the Paris La Defense Arena for Rollins’ fatal four-way title defense match. Pierece even went as far as threatening suspension without pay if either of them stepped in to help Rollins later.

Of course, The Vision is stronger than Pierce can handle right now, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see either Reed or Breakker make an appearance tonight to help Rollins regardless.

Roman Reigns beats Bronson Reed, The Vision gets last laugh

It took a while for this match to get started as the crowd in Paris went crazy at Reigns’ entrance. The crowd really enjoyed Roman Reigns’ subtle jeers at Paul Heyman, Reigns’ former wise man, who now sides with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed.

Reigns rode that crowd support to early domination in the match, pushing Reed into the corner and landing a series of solid blows. However, that momentum would come to a screeching halt when Reigns would try to lift Big Bronson Reed over his head at center ring. Reed’s weight proved too much though and Reigns collapsed, with Reed landing on his head.

That’s the shift that Reed needed. The match moved outside the ring, where Reed dominated, even slamming Reigns on the announcer’s table. Even when the match moved back into the ring, Reigns struggled to find an advantage. Every time Reigns looked like he was going to make a move, Reed would counterattack and lay Reigns flat.

Reed was doing so well in the fight, he even taunted Reigns with the stolen sneakers that Paul Heyman had around his neck ringside. Reed and Breakker stole those sneakers from Reigns at SummerSlam, and Reigns clearly hasn’t forgotten.

After that, Reed tried to add to his collection, looking to untie Reigns’ shoes in the ring, but Reigns retaliated, landing two clotheslines, a slap, and pushing Reed over the ropes, before hitting Reed with a drive-by drop kick. Reed, ever tough, stayed standing through most of it, even after Reigns landed two Superman punches, the Aus-zilla was able to kick out of a pin attempt.

Reigns went for his finisher after, loading up a Samoan spear, but Reed countered it with a drop kick, knocking Reigns out of the ring. Reed then flew out of the ring and landed on Reigns, much to the chagrin of the Parisian crowd.

Reed would miss the ensuing Tsunami but would hit Reigns with a massive slam. Reigns would be able to kick out though. Reed was shocked. But he wasn’t finished. Reed dragged Reigns to the corner and prepared for another Tsunami, but Reigns quickly recovered and landed a huge punch on Reed followed by a Samoan drop which left Reed on all fours. Reed tried to recover but the moment he got up, Reigns had a spear loaded up and knocked Reed out cold. It was an easy pin after that.

Reigns wasn’t done though. As Paul Heyman lay down, checking on Reed. Reigns snuck back into the ring. Heyman turned around and was shocked to see his former Tribal Chief staring him down. Heyman begged for mercy, even acknowledging Reigns as tribal chief and telling Reigns that ‘the world is yours.’

Reigns merely gestured for Heyman to return his shoes. Heyman obliged. But Reigns wanted more. He put Heyman in a guillotine, choking out the wise man who betrayed him at WrestleMania. Heyman tried to tap out, but Reigns didn’t let up. Heyman fell to the mat unconscious.

As Reigns celebrated atop the announcer’s table, Reed’s ally Bron Breakker came out of nowhere to spear Reigns, taking his moment of glory away from him.

Reed and Breakker took that time to help Heyman out of the ring. Reigns was clearly in pain, but tried to leave the ring on his own. Unfortunately, Bron Breakker came back for Round 2, landing another spear on Reigns.

Security tried to escort Breakker away from Reigns, but Reed kept them away, even shoving Reigns back into the ring, where Breakker stood over him and placed him in prime position for Reed to land a tsunami.

Reigns was done at that point. EMTs needed to be called, and Reigns was carried off on a stretcher. Or at least he was supposed to be…when Reed and Breakker returned again. Reed hit Reigns with another Tsunami, while Reigns lay defenseless on the stretcher.

Finally, Main Event Jey Uso burst into the ring to help his cousin, trying to fight off both Breakker and Reed, putting himself on the line when he has his own championship match later today. It was a truly selfless act. But The Vision were too much for Uso to handle. Breakker hit Uso with a spear. Reed hit Reigns with a third tsunami.

Finally, security did their job and escorted Reed and Breakker out. The damage was obviously done though. It’s very likely that Reed and Breakker will face serious repercussions for their actions.

Watch: Clash in Paris 2025 preshow

When is Clash in Paris 2025?

Clash in Paris 2025 is on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Clash in Paris 2025 start time

Clash in Paris starts at 2 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at noon ET.

Where is Clash in Paris 2025?

The event takes place at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris.

How to watch Clash in Paris 2025

Clash in Paris will stream on Peacock, but you must have a premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets.

The event will also be available to watch at select Regal Cinemas theaters around the country. 

Clash in Paris 2025 preshow: how to watch

The Clash in Paris preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.

Stream WWE Clash in Paris on Peacock

Clash in Paris 2025 match card

Matches not in order

• Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
• Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
• John Cena vs. Logan Paul
• Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
• Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

Will there be Clash in Paris 2025 post-show?

Yes, the post-show will begin immediately following the conclusion of the event. It will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.

Clash in Paris predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling writers predict Clash in Paris. See the full predictions for the entire event here.

Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev

• Jordan Mendoza: Rusev
• Richard Morin: Rusev

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

• Jordan Mendoza: Bronson Reed
• Richard Morin: Roman Reigns

John Cena vs. Logan Paul

• Jordan Mendoza: John Cena
• Richard Morin: Logan Paul

WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)

• Jordan Mendoza: The Wyatt Sicks
• Richard Morin: The Wyatt Sicks

Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella

• Jordan Mendoza: Becky Lynch
• Richard Morin: Becky Lynch

Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

• Jordan Mendoza: Seth Rollins
• Richard Morin: Seth Rollins

Paris crowd expected to be loud

It won’t be hard to notice the crowd noise at Clash in Paris as WWE is back in France, where one of its most memorable shows in recent memory happened.

In May 2024, WWE held Backlash 2024 that featured one of the loudest and stunning crowds in wrestling. It really kicked off the electricity with Jey Uso’s entrance and had iconic moments like singing Randy Orton’s entrance music and AJ Styles phenomenal introduction.  

Expect much of the same this time around, from singing to chants unique to France.

Match canceled: Where is Naomi?

One match that won’t happen at Clash in Paris is the Women’s World Championship bout. It was originally scheduled to be champion Naomi against Stephanie Vaquer after she won a battle royal at Evolution.  

However, Naomi announced on Aug. 18 she was pregnant and was relinquishing the title as a result, officially canceling the match.

What happens to Women’s World Championship?

Raw general manager Adam Pearce determined no championship match would take place at Clash in Paris for the vacant title, but it will be awarded soon. Vaquer will face an opponent to be named later for the championship at a later date.

John Cena farewell tour approaching end

We are almost done seeing John Cena in a WWE ring.

Clash in Paris will mark the 28th appearance of 2025, and with 36 promised in his final year of wrestling, there are only eight shows left for the WWE icon after the show. His career will culminate with Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.

Of the eight shows left, six are confirmed. His next appearance will be on the Sept. 5 edition of SmackDown. Here are the rest of the dates known:

• Sept. 5: SmackDown (Chicago, Illinois)
• Sept. 15: Raw (Lowell, Massachusetts)
• Sept. 20: Wrestlepalooza (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Oct. 11: WWE Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
• Nov. 29: Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
• Dec. 13: Retirement match at Saturday’s Night Main Event (Location TBD)

Clash in Paris final WWE PLE on Peacock

Clash in Paris 2025 will be the final WWE premium live event to air on Peacock as the company will shift its content to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service. The first WWE event on ESPN’s platform will be on Sept. 20 with Wrestlepalooza.

One year ago, Walker Buehler was on the mound for the final out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series victory. Two days ago, the Boston Red Sox released the two-time World Series champion. The esteemed postseason pitcher suddenly found himself without a team wondering if he’d be able to join another squad by October in his quest for a third ring. Well, it turns out, he didn’t even have to wait for September.

On Sunday, Buehler signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, who assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the hopes that he can join the big league squad for their upcoming postseason run.

Why did the Phillies sign Buehler?

Not only does Buehler boast a stellar postseason resume, but the Phillies were in dire need of pitching after ace Zach Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, requiring season-ending surgery.

That isn’t to say Philadelphia’s rotation is now struggling. They still boast incredible talents like Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo, and Christopher Sanchez. But Buehler’s postseason experience could prove very valuable to the team and if a change of scenery is all Buehler needed, he could very well compete for a rotation spot before the regular season ends.

Buehler’s struggles in Boston

Buehler signed a one-year deal with Boston this past offseason, worth $21.05 million. He disappointed though, going just 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA across 22 starts for the team.

Buehler posted career-worst marks in both strikeout rate (16.6%) and walk rate (10.7%) as well, detailing issues that were evident during Buehler’s 2024 season but that the Red Sox were hoping could be figured out.

The Red Sox are currently in position to reach the playoffs, but ultimately decided that Buehler’s struggles were not worth his playoff expertise. The Red Sox remain on the hook for the rest of Buehler’s one-year deal he signed in the offseason. The Phillies will only pay Buehler one month’s worth of the league minimum salary, which is set at $760,000 for a full season.

Buehler’s postseason resume

Buehler boasts a stunning 3.04 career ERA in the postseason, and he’s pitched in those games a lot.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers, he reached the playoffs in five different seasons, pitching a total of 94.2 innings during those playoff runs. Even last year, when Buehler started to shows signs of regression, he still posted an outstanding 3.60 ERA once the postseason rolled around.

There were some troubling signs though. Particularly, his strikeout rate. Buehler struck out only 7.8 batters per nine during the 2024 postseason, a full strikeout less than his worst mark before then. In all fairness, he did lower his walk rate substantially in exchange − just three walks per nine innings.

Taylor Townsend’s singles campaign at the US Open has come to an end after suffering a loss to Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Krejcikova completed her comeback to defeat Townsend, 1-6, 7-6 (15-13), 6-3.

While Townsend has been eliminated from singles play, she will continue to compete in New York.

The 29-year-old has teamed up with Katerina Siniakova as the No. 1-seeded women’s doubles team in the tournament. The duo is coming off a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alycia Parks and Dayana Yastremska in the second round on Saturday.

The duo is expected to compete on Monday in the third round. An opponent and time have not been determined.

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Charlie, the son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, was even par through the first 11 holes of the third round before hitting a hole-in-one after he won the final day of the tournament.

The hole-in-one came on the 12th hole from 177 yards out.

Woods finished the day in a five-way tie for 31st after finishing seven-over par.

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Miami football’s CJ Daniels might’ve just made the catch of the year in the Hurricanes’ Week 1 game vs. Notre Dame.

With 18 seconds left before halftime, Daniels climbed the ladder and hauled in a high pass from Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck for a touchdown to give Miami a 14-7 lead over the Fighting Irish on Sunday, Aug. 31. But it wasn’t just any catch, as Daniels rose for a one-handed grab while avoiding two Notre Dame defensive backs.

The first-year transfer from LSU finished the first half with three receptions for 34 yards and the score. The sixth-year receiver spent the first four seasons of his career at Liberty before transferring to LSU, and then Miami. He received two extra seasons due to COVID-19 in 2020 and redshirting in 2022.

Miami’s passing offense hasn’t missed a beat despite having to replace Cam Ward, who went No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Beck completed 13 of 20 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first half against Notre Dame, looking healthy after suffering a season-ending shoulder surgery for Georgia in the SEC championship game last season.

Daniels had 42 receptions for 480 yards with no touchdowns last season at LSU, but is already proving to be a key contributor for the Hurricanes.

Here’s how social media is reacting to Daniels’ highlight catch.

CJ Daniels touchdown catch: Social media reacts

Here are the best reactions to Daniels’ one-handed touchdown grab against Notre Dame on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Jelena Ostapenko apologized on Saturday, taking to social media after her US Open incident with Taylor Townsend, following her second-round loss in which she said Townsend, who is black, had “no education.”

Ostapenko, who was the No. 25 seed, again went to social media to issue an apology for saying things after her 7-5, 6-1 loss, in which she confronted Townsend at the net and continued to argue with her following the match. Townsend told ESPN during an interview that Ostapenko also said she had “no class.”

In the statement, Ostapenko did not reference Townsend, who will play her fourth-round singles match on Sunday.

“Hi all – I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match,’ Ostapenka wrote on Instagram. ‘English is not my native language, so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court. I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York and I look forward to being back next year.”

In her first statement after the loss, Ostapenko said her opponent ‘was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn’t say sorry at all.’

“There are some rules in tennis that most of the players follow, and it was the first time that this happened to me on tour. If she plays in her homeland it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants,’ Ostapenko wrote.

It led two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka to discuss the comments and defend Townsend, the world’s No. 1-ranked doubles player.

“It’s one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport,’ Osaka said. ‘I know Taylor and I know how hard she’s worked and I know how smart she is, so she’s the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that. I think it’s ill-timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don’t know if she knows the history of it in America.”

Since winning the national championship in January, Ohio State has rejected the notion that it was defending its title in 2025.

This is a mostly new team, the Buckeyes said often, referring to the 14 starters taken in the NFL draft. They wanted to earn a national championship for themselves.

Their 14-7 victory in front of 107,524 at Ohio Stadium against No. 1 Texas was a strong opening statement, thanks to a strong performance by No. 2 Ohio State’s revamped defense.

That defense, which featured eight new starters, allowed the Longhorns and their Heisman Trophy favorite quarterback, Arch Manning, only one score.

It was a triumphant debut for new Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who spent the past two decades coaching in the NFL. He was under much pressure after the success of his predecessor, Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State.

The Buckeyes sputtered much of the game on offense, but they got enough. West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson capped an 80-yard touchdown drive in the first half with a 1-yard touchdown on fourth down.

Julian Sayin connected with Carnell Tate on a 40-yard score early in the fourth quarter for Ohio State’s other score.

Ohio State’s shutout bid ended with 3:28 left when Parker Livingstone caught a 32-yard touchdown from Manning.

But Texas was stopped at midfield on its last drive.

Defense bends but doesn’t break

Ohio State was expected to have growing pains on defense after losing so many starters, including all four on the defensive line.

Instead, it limited the Longhorns to 79 yards in the first half and then bent but didn’t break in the second half until late in the fourth quarter.

Texas drove 70 yards on its first possession of the third quarter.

On fourth-and-goal from inside the Ohio State 1, Arch Manning tried to use his 6-foot-4, 219-frame to plunge into the end zone. Instead, Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald were among a group of Buckeyes to stuff Manning.

On Texas’ next possession, cornerback Jermaine Mathews stepped in front of receiver Ryan Wingo on a deep ball for an interception.

Texas again drove deep into Buckeyes territory on its first fourth-quarter possession. But on fourth-and-goal from the 9, Manning’s pass fell incomplete to Livingstone with Davison Igbinosun in tight coverage.

Livingstone beat Mathews for Texas’ only touchdown with 3:28 left to make the final minutes interesting.

Texas got the ball one more time, but C.J. Hicks pressured Manning on a hurried throw, and All-American safety Caleb Downs tackled tight end Jack Endries two yards short of the first down.

Neither Sayin nor Manning lit it up

Sayin was solid if unspectacular in his starting debut. The former five-star recruit, who left Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement last year, completed 13 of 20 passes for a modest 126 yards. More important, he didn’t make any costly mistakes.

Early in the game, he didn’t get much help from his receivers. Stunningly, that included two drops by star sophomore Jeremiah Smith. Sayin did miss a chance to connect with Smith deep on Ohio State’s first drive, which caused coach Ryan Day to chastise him on the sideline.

Ohio State’s game plan was to minimize risky throws. The one deep pass Sayin did throw was slightly underthrown, but Tate made a catch while closely covered in the end zone to give the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead.

Manning had a much more up-and-down game. After a dismal first half, he tried to rally with some clutch throws, but it wasn’t enough. He finished 17 of 30 for 170 yards.

Manning also ran for 38 yards in 10 carries.

First half was a slog

The teams combined for only 182 yards, 103 by Ohio State. Eighty of the Buckeyes’ yardage came on the only score of the half, a 13-play 80-yard drive that consumed more than 8 minutes.

Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win

Two Texas penalties, including a facemask infraction, aided the OSU cause.

Only one play, a 16-yard pass from Sayin to Smith, went for longer than 7 yards. The Buckeyes plodded down the field and finally scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Donaldson on fourth-and-goal midway through the second quarter.

Ohio State’s defense didn’t allow Texas to get beyond the its 42-yard line. That came on the Longhorns’ opening possession and ended when linebacker Arvell Reese stuffed Texas running back CJ Baxter on fourth-and-2.