In a game that swung from a first-half blowout to a fourth-quarter nail-biter, No. 19 Texas managed to stop a two-game skid by defeating seventh-ranked Ole Miss 34-27 on Saturday night. The victory at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was defined by the dual-threat capability of quarterback Arch Manning and a defense that survived a late-game surge by the Rebels.
Texas (5-2, 2-2 SEC) appeared to have the game firmly in hand with a 24-3 lead at halftime. However, a series of mistakes, including a lost fumble for a touchdown and a season-high 14 penalties, allowed Ole Miss (5-2, 3-2) to erase the 21-point deficit and tie the game in the fourth quarter.
The decisive moment arrived after Ole Miss leveled the score at 24-24. Running back Raleek Brown, who finished the night with 157 rushing yards, ignited the Longhorns’ offense with a 47-yard burst. That run set the stage for Manning’s second rushing touchdown of the night, a 1-yard keeper where a fake handoff left the Rebels’ defense frozen as he walked into the end zone untouched to provide a 31-24 lead.
Manning’s night was a mix of highlights and physical toll. In addition to his two rushing scores, he threw a touchdown pass to help build the early lead. However, the second half began disastrously for the sophomore quarterback. On the first possession of the third quarter, Manning was blindsided by Blake Purchase, resulting in a fumble. Mississippi’s Kam Franklin scooped up the bouncing ball, momentarily lost control, but recovered it in the end zone to spark the Rebels’ comeback.
Franklin continued to haunt Manning on the following series, delivering a head-on hit for a sack that forced the quarterback to the sideline for a medical evaluation. Backup KJ Lacey Jr. briefly entered the game for one play, a handoff that led to a Texas punt, before Manning was cleared to return on the next series.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took advantage of the shift in momentum, connecting twice with receiver Horatio Fields for touchdowns. Fields’ second score, a contested 27-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, completed the comeback and silenced the Austin crowd.
Despite the momentum shift, Texas extended the lead back to 10 points in the closing minutes. The drama intensified again when Texas receiver Emmett Mosley IV failed to secure an onside kick, allowing the Rebels to recover and stay alive. The game eventually ended when Chambliss’ desperation pass into the end zone on the final play was intercepted by Jelani McDonald.
The win provides much-needed relief for head coach Steve Sarkisian. Texas entered the matchup under heavy pressure following consecutive losses to unranked opponents. While the victory over a top-10 opponent bolsters their standing, the performance was marred by 121 penalty yards, including several avoidable personal fouls.
Injuries also clouded the victory. Receiver Cam Coleman, a high-profile transfer from Auburn, struggled throughout the night. After dropping a wide-open 59-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, Coleman suffered a left shoulder injury while attempting a diving catch early in the second half and had to be helped to the sideline.
Ole Miss missed an earlier opportunity to close the gap just before halftime. Facing a fourth down, punter Oscar Bird extended a drive with a 17-yard run on a fake punt, moving the Rebels deep into Texas territory. However, the Longhorns’ defense held firm with a goal-line stand, preserving the 21-point lead at the break.
Texas remains at home next Saturday to face Mississippi State in the final of three straight home games. Ole Miss returns home to host Auburn.
