During the victory over Ohio State, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had a strained interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. The interaction on the field was strained, with Sarkisian seeming distracted. It drew immediate criticism online and from media figures like Paul Finebaum and Gordon Monson. The incident went out live, boosting the backlash. The University of Texas later pointed to 'technical difficulties' for the awkward exchange, stating that equipment problems disrupted the interview. Clips from the interview spread quickly among viewers.