Horns hooked

AUSTIN, Texas – Before the Longhorns band played a somber “Eyes of Texas,” Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton ran to the sliver of the stadium filled with Buckeyes fans and flashed the Hook ‘em Horns sign with both hands aimed down.

The message was clear: Ohio State showed the defending national champions who’s No. 1.

In the first regular-season matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in a decade, quarterback Troy Smith riddled Texas for 269 yards passing and two touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes to a 24-7 win Saturday night.

The victory keeps the Buckeyes (2-0) in perfect position for a run to a national title. Keep winning and they should stay right where they are.

After the game, Buckeyes players charged toward their section of 4,000 or so fans tucked in a sea of burnt orange, alternately signing Horns Down and No. 1.

“We haven’t claimed anything yet,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “We still have to go back to the Horseshoe and keep winning games.”

Still, the Buckeyes were having a heck of a party on the way into their locker room. And for good reason.

“We came in here and beat the No. 2 team in the country and the defending national champion in front of their home crowd,” Buckeyes defensive end Vernon Gholston said. “We showed everybody what we can do.”

The Buckeyes defense, which replaced nine starters this season, looked championship caliber, holding a Texas team that had scored at least 40 points in 12 consecutive games to a single touchdown.

“Anytime you hold a team like Texas to seven points in their own stadium is incredible,” Tressel said.

As for No. 2 Texas (1-1), which saw its 21-game winning streak snapped, the Longhorns will need some help if they hope to go back to the national title game.

“We’ve been winning so much, I forgot how it feels to lose,” said Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed, who caught the winning touchdown pass against the Buckeyes last season.

The Longhorns’ new starting quarterback, Colt McCoy, was no Vince Young in the rematch of last season’s 25-22 Texas win in Columbus. He threw for 154 yards with an interception and a touchdown.

The Longhorns used the win in Columbus last season as the springboard to their first undisputed national title since 1969. But that win and that season came with Young at quarterback.

Smith split time at quarterback in last year’s game, his first of the year after a suspension. He was everything Texas feared this time: a leader and a playmaker.

“We didn’t make the plays we needed to make,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. “We had our chances there, even in the fourth quarter. Everyone tried, everyone played hard. Give Ohio State credit.”

“I thought we were one play away,” McCoy said. “We felt like we were on the edge. There ain’t no excuses.”