Ohio State had brought the championship within reach. A turnover, an onside-kick recovery, and a touchdown with almost no time remaining had turned a game Texas controlled into a one-point decision. Memphis Doug and the Buckeyes chose to go for two and the win. Texas held.
Va Dimes and the No. 2 Longhorns survived No. 1 Ohio State 45–44 in New Orleans to win the College Football Underground Season 2 national championship. Texas finished 16–0, retained its title, and completed a second consecutive perfect season. Ohio State finished 14–2, one conversion short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Texas built the lead. Ohio State changed the game.
The first half belonged to Va Dimes. Texas dictated the game and put the defending champion in position to finish another unbeaten run. The Longhorns' offense had already demonstrated how dangerous it could be, following a 28–21 Sugar Bowl win over Auburn with a 53–21 semifinal victory against Killuminati and Notre Dame.
The second half belonged to Memphis Doug's response. Ohio State forced a turnover and recovered an onside kick, creating the extra opportunities it needed to keep the comeback alive. Each possession put more pressure on a Texas team that had spent the first half in control.
The Buckeyes carried that surge into the final drive and scored with little to no time left. The touchdown made it 45–44. An extra point offered the chance to draw level; Ohio State collectively chose the two-point attempt and an immediate shot at the championship.
A season decided by a conversion
The decision matched the ambition of the comeback. Ohio State had fought back far enough to put the result on one play, and Memphis Doug's team committed to finishing the job there.
The conversion came up short. Texas's one-point advantage survived, leaving the Buckeyes with a devastating finish and the Longhorns with the stop that preserved their championship. A game that had tilted toward Texas early ended with the reigning champion protecting the smallest possible winning margin.
For Va Dimes, the repeat required two very different halves: enough offense to build the advantage, then one final defensive stand after Ohio State had nearly erased it. The comeback changed the shape of the night. The last conversion kept the trophy in Texas.
Watch Ohio State's late push
These two clips from the championship broadcast follow the Buckeyes' comeback and late scoring drive.
Jermaine Bishop supplied the championship production
Texas receiver Jermaine Bishop delivered a massive performance: seven catches, 219 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. His stat line captures the explosive offense that helped Va Dimes build the advantage Ohio State spent the second half chasing.
Another perfect season, another national title
Texas's 12–0 regular season led to a 55–28 win over BYU in the Big 12 championship and the No. 2 playoff seed. A first-round bye was followed by wins over Auburn and Notre Dame, putting Va Dimes back in the national championship against Big Ten champion Ohio State.
Memphis Doug had earned that opportunity with a 36–34 overtime quarterfinal win over Washington and a 35–23 semifinal win over Georgia. His Buckeyes showed the same resilience in the final, taking Texas to the edge before the unsuccessful two-point attempt ended their run.
| Stage | Opponent | Texas win |
|---|---|---|
| Big 12 Championship | BYU | 55–28 |
| Sugar Bowl • CFP Quarterfinal | Auburn | 28–21 |
| CFP Semifinal | Notre Dame | 53–21 |
| National Championship | Ohio State | 45–44 |
Va Dimes won Season 1 by beating Huncho and Georgia 35–25, also finishing 16–0. Season 2 added another Big 12 crown, another unbeaten record, and another national championship. This time, the difference between a repeat and an upset was a single point.
