Arch Manning delivered a career-defining performance as No. 19 Texas survived a chaotic second-half collapse to defeat No. 7 Ole Miss 34-27 on Saturday night in Austin. The Longhorns, who entered the game trailing by 21 points in the second half, mounted a frantic comeback capped by Manning’s fourth-quarter rushing touchdown that tied the game. This victory marks a pivotal turning point for the program, allowing Steve Sarkisian’s squad to escape the scrutiny following consecutive losses to unranked opponents that had derailed their early-season momentum.
Longhorns erase 21-point deficit, secure crucial SEC win to silence critics
The game’s drama peaked in the final two minutes when Texas nearly squandered a 10-point lead after receiver Emmett Mosley IV fumbled an onside kick, giving the Rebels a last-ditch chance. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss launched a desperate pass into the end zone on the final play, but Texas cornerback Jelani McDonald intercepted the ball to seal the win. Raleek Brown anchored the rushing attack with 157 yards, including a 47-yard run that set up Manning’s 1-yard touchdown run, which came after a successful fake handoff that fooled the entire defense.
This 34-27 victory is more than just a win; it is a statement of resilience for a team that had previously blown leads of increasing magnitude in consecutive games. By avoiding a third straight loss after going ahead by double digits, the Longhorns (5-2, 2-2 SEC) have stabilized their standing in the SEC West and silenced early-season critics. Manning’s dual-threat performance, combining a touchdown pass with his first two rushing scores of the season, signals that the quarterback is fully embracing the physical demands of the offense, providing a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the remainder of the conference schedule.
Source: Yahoo Sports
