Texas Tackle Trevor Goosby Earns National Honor After Historic Comeback

Goosby protected Arch Manning through three consecutive fourth-quarter touchdown drives as the Longhorns erased a 20-point deficit to stun No. 1 Ohio State.

Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby did not throw a touchdown, make a catch, or carry the football during the Longhorns’ dramatic comeback against No. 1 Ohio State.

But the comeback would not have happened without him.

Goosby anchored the offensive line as Texas erased a 23–3 deficit with three consecutive touchdown drives to defeat the top-ranked Buckeyes 24–23. His performance earned him the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week award from the Football Writers Association of America.

The honor recognizes the best weekly performance by an interior lineman on offense or defense.

Goosby Gave Manning Time to Lead the Rally

Texas entered the fourth quarter facing a 20-point deficit against the nation’s No. 1 team. The Longhorns needed three touchdowns—and nearly flawless offensive execution—to have any chance of completing the comeback.

With Goosby protecting his blind side, quarterback Arch Manning guided Texas on three consecutive touchdown drives to close the game.

Each possession lasted at least 12 plays and covered at least 72 yards. The first two drives included fourth-down conversions inside Texas territory, meaning one missed block or quarterback pressure could have ended the rally.

Goosby never allowed a sack across 46 pass-blocking snaps. He surrendered only one quarterback pressure and received an 87.0 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest mark cited by the FWAA among the nation’s linemen for the week.

The 6-foot-7, 325-pound senior provided stability as Texas remained patient and methodical despite the urgency of the situation.

Texas Controlled the Fourth Quarter

Ohio State led 23–3 before Texas’ offense took control.

The Longhorns produced 150 yards in the fourth quarter, including 83 through the air and 67 on the ground. Ohio State managed only 52 total yards during the same period.

Including Texas’ final possession of the third quarter, the Longhorns generated 236 yards over the game’s final 21 minutes.

Goosby and the offensive line allowed Texas to sustain drives instead of relying on quick scoring plays. That approach kept the Ohio State defense on the field and gave Manning repeated opportunities to convert critical downs.

Texas became the only team in the past 15 years to end a victory with three consecutive touchdown drives consisting of at least 12 plays each.

The comeback was the first of 20 or more fourth-quarter points against an Associated Press No. 1 team in 22 years. It was also the third-largest comeback by an FBS program against the AP’s top-ranked team this century.

Texas became the first nonconference opponent this century to score at least 21 fourth-quarter points against Ohio State.

Offensive Linemen Rarely Receive the Spotlight

Quarterbacks and skill-position players generally receive most of the attention following dramatic victories. The Outland Trophy exists to recognize performances such as Goosby’s—the work at the line of scrimmage that makes those offensive moments possible.

Created in 1946, the Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major award in college football. It is presented annually to the nation’s best interior lineman.

Offensive tackles, guards, and centers are eligible, along with interior defensive linemen. Defensive ends and edge rushers are excluded.

The FWAA began naming an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week in 2023. Weekly recipients are added to the award’s watch list if they were not already included.

Goosby entered the season on the preseason watch list.

Goosby Continues Texas’ Outland Tradition

The senior from Melissa, Texas, is the third Longhorn to earn the Outland Trophy’s weekly national honor.

Center Jake Majors and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. both received the recognition during the 2024 season. Banks went on to win the Outland Trophy that year.

Texas has produced five Outland winners overall, including consecutive recipients in defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat in 2023 and Banks in 2024.

Goosby now has an opportunity to extend that run.

The FWAA will announce the 2026 Outland Trophy semifinalists on November 18, followed by three finalists on November 24. The winner will be revealed during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on December 11.

The official trophy presentation will take place on January 27, 2027, at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha, Nebraska.

For now, Goosby’s weekly honor recognizes the role he played in one of the season’s most dramatic victories. With Texas facing a 20-point deficit and no margin for error, the Longhorns repeatedly ran their offense behind a tackle who refused to let Ohio State bring the comeback to an early end.