AUSTIN, Texas — Arch Manning ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the 19th-ranked Texas Longhorns held off a fierce second-half rally to defeat the seventh-ranked Ole Miss Rebels 34-27 on Saturday night at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.
Texas stopped a two-game losing streak that had previously knocked the team from the top ranking in college football. Playing before an announced crowd of 104,306 spectators, the Longhorns built a 21-point advantage by halftime, watched the Rebels erase it entirely, and then survived a dramatic final minute to improve to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play.
Rebels battle back after sluggish start
The Longhorns dominated the early action, jumping out to a 24-3 lead at the break behind Manning and a stingy defensive front. Manning tossed a 50-yard scoring pass to wideout Ryan Wingo and added a two-yard touchdown keeper, while Michael Terry III punched in a two-yard run, according to reports from Longhorns Wire and ABC News.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss struggled early against a Texas defense coordinated by Will Muschamp, managing only 68 passing yards and an interception through two quarters, Sports Illustrated reported. The Rebels’ lone first-half score was a 46-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro after a drive extended by a 17-yard run on a fake punt by Oscar Bird.
The momentum swung quickly in the third quarter after Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby was carted off the field with a knee injury. Ole Miss pass rusher Blake Purchase beat reserve tackle Andre Cojoe to strip Manning from behind, and defensive end Kam Franklin jumped on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown, ABC News reported.
Chambliss then capitalized on Texas miscues, finding Horatio Fields for a nine-yard touchdown pass and later connecting with Fields on a 27-yard score early in the fourth quarter to level the game at 24-24.
Manning and defense deliver late response
Facing the prospect of a third consecutive blown double-digit lead following recent defeats to Oklahoma and Florida, Texas relied heavily on its ground game to retake control. Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian called six consecutive running plays on an 80-yard march, highlighted by explosive rushes from Raleek Brown.
Manning capped the drive with a one-yard naked bootleg touchdown run to put Texas ahead 31-24 with 7:59 remaining. The sophomore passer finished 18 of 30 for 212 yards with two interceptions and one lost fumble, ABC News reported.
“When he shows that fire in his belly that he had tonight, I think the team responds to that,” Sarkisian said, as reported by ABC News. “I’m just very proud of him because this isn’t easy.”
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding opted for a 58-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-10 from the Texas 41, but the kick was blocked. Texas answered with a 33-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic with 2:25 remaining to stretch the margin to 10 points.
Wild final minute ends on Hail Mary interception
Ole Miss quickly drove to the Texas 22-yard line, where Golding chose an unusual tactic by kicking a field goal on first down. Carneiro made the kick with 1:20 remaining to cut the deficit to 34-27, Longhorns Wire reported.
The Rebels then recovered an onside kick when Texas receiver Emmett Mosley V failed to secure the bouncing ball. Chambliss moved Ole Miss to the Texas 29-yard line with time running out, but his final Hail Mary heave into the end zone was intercepted by defensive back Jelani McDonald as time expired.
Texas won despite committing 14 penalties for 134 yards, according to Longhorns Wire. The Longhorns also sustained notable injuries, as wide receiver Cam Coleman left the contest with a shoulder injury and joined Goosby on the sideline in street clothes.
Texas stays in Austin to host Mississippi State next weekend before consecutive road tests against Missouri and LSU. The playing status of Goosby and Coleman for that upcoming matchup remains uncertain.
