For the primary time for the reason that glory years within the Nineteen Sixties beneath former coach and stadium namesake Darrell Ok Royal, Texas soccer has reached the No. 1 spot within the Related Press ballot for 3 consecutive seasons.
However the Longhorns could not care much less about climbing to the highest of the polls after beating former No.1 Ohio State in a thriller Saturday night time. They wish to be on the prime when the season ends with the School Soccer Playoff championship sport Jan. 25 in Las Vegas.
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“It is solely about No. 1 on the finish of the season,” defensive sort out Hero Kanu stated Monday. “On the finish of the day, no one remembers No. 2, in any case. No one remembers No. 3.”
For quarterback Arch Manning, that begins with forgetting the win over Ohio State, even when his efficiency late within the 24-23 victory has already discovered a spot in Longhorns lore. He threw for 195 yards on 23-of-37 passing, however his fourth quarter was the stuff of legend; within the closing quarter-hour, he accomplished 11 of his closing 15 passes for 128 yards and one landing and eight of these completions resulted in a primary down or a landing, together with two fourth-down conversions.
Certain, that efficiency helped vault the Longhorns (2-0) from No. 4 to No. 1 in Sunday’s AP ballot. Nevertheless it will not have any affect on whether or not Texas can deal with a harmful 2-0 UTSA crew Saturday night time, Manning stated.
Texas Longhorns working again Hollywood Smothers (2) leaps over sort out makes an attempt within the fourth quarter of Texas’ 24-23 win over Ohio State at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 12, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
“Nothing issues moreover the sport each week,” he stated. “UTSA is a extremely good crew, they usually have some confidence. We had so much to show. We left so much on the desk (vs. Ohio State). We’re simply scratching the service.”
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It is a message Texas coach Steve Sarkisian loves to listen to, particularly from veterans like Manning, left sort out Trevor Goosby, edge rusher Colin Simmons, security Jelani McDonald and the 15 different scholarship gamers who’ve been part of a top-ranked crew over the previous three seasons.
“This is not essentially international territory for us,” Sarkisian stated. “However I do not understand how properly we dealt with it the earlier two years, and I do not understand how worthy we at all times had been of these rankings (and) of the opinions of others. What we do is what issues, and I feel that’s one thing that once you discuss concerning the Arches, the Trevors, the Collins, the Jelanis, these guys who’ve been on this factor now with us by this journey, perceive the rating does not matter. If something, all of the rating does is put an even bigger bullseye on you. How we carry out is what issues probably the most.”
WATCH: Steve Sarkisian blows off ESPN reporters throughout and after Texas’ large win vs OSU
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates a win in opposition to the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-23 at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 12, 2026. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman)
How Texas Longhorns have fared every season they reached No. 1
Texas has been ranked No. 1 no less than some level within the season in 13 totally different years for the reason that Related Press started its rankings. Listed below are the years the Longhorns drew a No. 1 rating – and the way they completed in every of these seasons.
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1961: Texas spent two weeks atop the polls and completed No. 3 within the closing AP rankings.
1962: The Longhorns spent two weeks at No. 1 and completed fourth.
1963: Texas spent a program-high eight weeks atop the polls and received their first nationwide championship.
1964: Texas topped the ballot thrice earlier than ending No. 5.
1965: The Longhorns opened the season ranked No. 1 however completed 6-4 and out of the polls.
1969: The Longhorns spent three weeks at No. 2 earlier than profitable their second nationwide title.
1970: Texas topped the ballot six occasions and had been No. 2 the remainder of the season, however completed third within the closing ballot.
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1977: The Longhorns spent six weeks at No. 1 earlier than ending the season No. 4.
2005: The Longhorns ranked No. 2 behind USC all season earlier than beating the Trojans within the Rose Bowl to ending atop the AP ballot for the third time.
2008: Texas ranked No. 1 for 3 weeks earlier than ending No. 4.
2024: In Steve Sarkisian’s fourth season, the Longhorns topped the ballot 4 weeks earlier than ending No. 4.
2025: Texas ranked No. 1 to open the season, however completed No. 12.
2026: The Longhorns jumped to No. 1 after dispatching No. 1 Ohio State within the second week of the season.
Texas Longhorns Followers cheer on throughout the Longhorns’ sport in opposition to the Ohio State Buckeyes at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 12, 2026. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman)
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This text initially printed at Texas soccer has now reached No. 1 in 13 totally different seasons. How UT completed annually.
