Texas Beats Ole Miss 34-27 in Austin to Snap Two-Game Losing Streak

The matchup in Austin carried major Southeastern Conference implications as Texas sought to steady its season following consecutive losses. For viewers tuning in from home, the game aired on ABC in the US, while fans also accessed the broadcast through linear networks and live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Fubo. Entering the contest, Texas was listed as a 3.5-point favorite.

Arch Manning and the Texas Offense Build a Halftime Lead

Texas came out of the tunnel looking sharp, racing out to a 24-3 advantage by intermission. Quarterback Arch Manning completed 13-of-19 passes for 171 yards in the first half alone, accounting for 201 yards of total offense before the break. Manning scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a 2-yard run and connected with Ryan Wingo on a 50-yard scoring pass, while sophomore running back Michael Terry III added 41 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The opening half also featured a goal-line interception by linebacker Rasheem Biles, who jumped a route to pick off a Trinidad Chambliss pass on fourth-and-goal with 1:41 left in the half. However, the Longhorns suffered a major blow when wide receiver Cam Coleman landed awkwardly on his left shoulder after a dropped pass, walking to the locker room with an apparent left shoulder injury and failing to return.

Ole Miss Mounts a 21-Point Second-Half Surge

Any sense of comfort in Austin vanished immediately after the break. On Texas’s opening play of the third quarter, Rebel defender Blake Purchase strip-sacked Arch Manning deep in Longhorn territory, and Kam Franklin recovered the fumble for a touchdown that triggered a sudden 21-0 run for Ole Miss.

Penalties began piling up for the Longhorns, who finished the game flagged 14 times for 134 yards. Ole Miss capitalized as Trinidad Chambliss threw a touchdown pass to Horatio Fields to cut the deficit to 24-17, followed by a 27-yard scoring strike to Fields early in the fourth quarter that knotted the game at 24-24. During the third quarter alone, the Texas offense managed just 19 yards while the Rebels scored 14 points.

We didn’t obviously start the game the way we would like to. We couldn’t get into rhythm on offense, and from a defensive standpoint (there was) a lot of ups and downs.

Pete Golding, Ole Miss coach

Raleek Brown and Longhorn Defense Secure the 34-27 Victory

With the lead erased, Texas turned to its ground game to relieve the pressure on Manning. Running back Raleek Brown contributed to the ground game to anchor an offense that responded with a six-play, 80-yard drive.

Manning punched in a 1-yard touchdown run on a quarterback bootleg to reclaim the lead at 31-24. Later in the frame, Texas defensive lineman Alex January blocked a 58-yard field goal attempt by Lucas Carneiro with 6:21 left to play, after earlier producing a third-down pass breakup. Gianni Spetic subsequently added a 33-yard field goal to stretch the margin to 34-24.

Yet the Rebels refused to fold quietly. Carneiro converted a 39-yard field goal with 1:22 remaining to cut it to 34-27, and Ole Miss then recovered an onside kick at its own 37-yard line. With no timeouts remaining, Chambliss drove the Rebels to the Texas 24-yard line, converting a fourth-and-8 along the way.

I was pacing, saying a few prayers.

Arch Manning, Texas quarterback

Texas Prepares for Mississippi State in the SEC Schedule

The narrow escape leaves Texas with a 4-2 record under the heavy pressure of the season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his squad now turn their attention to continuing their homestand next week against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Ole Miss falls following the road defeat. The Rebels return home to host the Auburn Tigers.

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