The new Troy Smith continued to make amends for a mistake more than a year old, and Ohio State rode high out of Royal-Memorial Stadium with its No. 1 ranking intact.

Just as he said he wanted to during the week, Smith sat back in the pocket and picked apart an experienced and talented Texas defense Saturday night, leading his team to a 24-7 win over the second-ranked Longhorns.

Last season – due in part to an out-of-sync Smith – the Buckeye offense failed to fully capitalize on multiple Texas mistakes, leaving time for Vince Young and the Longhorns to come back and launch themselves on a national championship run.

That was not the case this year. A fully in-control Smith threw two touchdown passes, including what was eventually the game-winning score, a 29-yard rainbow to Ted Ginn Jr. late in the second quarter that put the Buckeyes back ahead after Texas tied the game at seven on the previous drive.

That was the only touchdown given up by a young Ohio State defense that was maligned during the week leading up to the game after giving up 285 yards from scrimmage to one player, Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe, in the team's opener.

Sophomore linebacker James Laurinaitis led the charge for the defense, making his unit's two biggest plays of game. With the game scoreless and Texas driving in the first quarter, Laurinaitis forced a Billy Pittman fumble at the OSU 2-yard line that was scooped up by Buckeye cornerback Donald Washington and returned to midfield.

From there, Smith moved his team to the Texas 12, where he connected with Anthony Gonzalez for the game's first score.

On the Longhorns' first drive of the second half, Laurinaitis picked off a pass from Texas' freshman quarterback Colt McCoy, setting up an Aaron Pettrey field goal that put the Buckeyes ahead 17-7.

Texas, which had the nation's longest winning streak snapped at 21 games, could get no closer as the Buckeyes stiffened time and again in the second half.

"Our guys played hard," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said after the game. "The defense kept hanging in there and caused some turnovers. Any time you hold someone to seven points in their stadium, it's incredible. Offensively, the O-line did a nice job protecting, Troy made good decisions, and Gonzo, Teddy (Ginn) and Robo (sophomore wide receiver Brian Robiskie) did some things catching the ball, then late we got to really start running the football."

Smith completed 17-26 passes for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ginn also atoned for a lackluster 2005 showing against the Longhorns, this year hauling in five passes for 96 yards and the winning touchdown.

His presence made room for Gonzalez, who had career-highs of eight catches and 142 yards to go along with his touchdown catch.

Robiskie added three catches for 28 yards, including a crucial third-down conversion on the Buckeyes' final scoring drive.

McCoy completed 19-32 passes for 157 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Buckeyes kept him on the run much of the second half as he struggled to move his team.

The Buckeyes outgained the Longhorns 348-326 overall, although Texas had the advantage on the ground, 172-79. That marks the first time a Mack Brown-coached Texas squad lost when outrushing its opponent.

Laurinaitis finished with a game-high 13 tackles, forced two fumbles and had an interception. He also broke up a pass.