Longhorns Defense Forces 31-3 Victory Over Mississippi State
Arch Manning threw three touchdowns, but a seven-sack performance and a fumble return put Texas ahead for the entire game at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
By Marta Gray ·
The Texas Longhorns defeated Mississippi State 31-3 on Saturday night at Royal-Memorial Stadium, securing their sixth win of the season. The 11th-ranked Longhorns held the lead for the full four quarters, improving their overall record to 6-2 and their SEC record to 3-2. Mississippi State fell to 4-4 and 2-4 in conference play, ending a four-game winning streak and extending its losing streak to four straight games.
The defensive unit generated the bulk of the scoring pressure. Texas recorded seven sacks and forced two fumbles, while returning one for a touchdown. The offense contributed 24 points, while the defense accounted for the remaining seven. The Longhorns limited the Bulldogs to 188 total yards, whereas Texas managed 280 yards on the ground and in the air combined.
Arch Manning completed three touchdown passes during the contest. He connected with Cam Coleman for a 14-yard score early in the game, followed by a 42-yard reception by Emmett Mosley V in the fourth quarter. Manning also threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Raleek Brown in the third quarter. The quarterback played through injury, losing his helmet on one play and requiring his hand to be taped after bleeding from a hit during the second quarter.
Defensive lineman Maraad Watson returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown, capping a drive that also injured Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann. Linebacker Rasheem Biles led the defensive effort with three sacks and two forced fumbles. The unit operated without Colin Simmons, who leads the nation in sacks, for the second consecutive game. Watson's score marked the Longhorns' second defensive touchdown of the season.
Texas established an early advantage with a 17-0 halftime lead. The Longhorns have led at the break in all five of their conference games this season. Cam Coleman opened the scoring with a 47-yard gain on a third-down catch, followed immediately by the touchdown reception. He left the game later with an injury. A 45-yard field goal by Ryan Niblett extended the lead before halftime, following a missed 76-yard punt return score by Niblett that was nullified by a blocking penalty.
The third quarter saw the Longhorns face a familiar challenge. Manning fumbled the ball on the first possession of the second half, allowing Mississippi State to reduce the deficit. Billy Puckett, a redshirt freshman, replaced the injured Swann at quarterback for the Bulldogs. The team was already without starting quarterback Kamario Taylor. Texas responded with a seven-play scoring drive to regain command of the game.
Mississippi State committed three punts and missed a 38-yard field goal in the first half, failing to capitalize on Texas offensive stalls. The Bulldogs were unable to generate additional momentum in the final quarter. The final margin of 28 points reflected the disparity in field position and scoring efficiency between the two teams.
The victory concludes a three-game home stand for the Longhorns. The team travels to Columbia, Missouri, next Saturday to face the Tigers. Missouri, ranked 23rd in the AP poll, defeated Arkansas 34-10 at home on Saturday. The Tigers enter the matchup with a 5-2 record and a 2-2 conference mark. This game marks the first meeting between the two schools since the Tigers departed the Big 12 Conference after the 2011 season.
