Although not pretty, No. 17 Texas was able to get the job done on Saturday night in Austin, Texas.
Despite a second-half comeback attempt by No. 7-ranked Mississippi, the Longhorns were able to stave off the Rebels in a gritty 34-27 win.
The game proved crucial for quarterback Arch Manning, whose shaky junior season put his starting job in jeopardy, with backup KJ Lacey receiving more reps with the first-team offense this week.
Ahead of Saturday, Manning had thrown for just 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Under the pressure, Texas’ offense jumped out to a hot start on Saturday, scoring 21 unanswered points to the tune of a 24-3 lead headed into halftime.
During that first-half surge, Manning threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo in the second quarter. He should have had a 59-yarder to Cam Coleman, who dropped an easy catch on a deep throw in the first quarter before exiting with what appeared to be a shoulder injury on the first play of the second half.
Despite Texas’ quick start, Ole Miss wasted no time coming back in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in the third to put the game within a possession.
Then to open up the fourth, Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss (25-for-52 for 250 yards and two touchdowns plus three interceptions) found wideout Horatio Fields for a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24.
Manning — who went 18-for-30 for 212 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and one fumble — threw a pick on the next drive, but the Texas defense was able to finally stop the Rebels to keep the game tied.
Texas then reclaimed the lead thanks to a rushing touchdown from Manning, his second of the night.
After a missed field goal from Ole Miss, the Longhorns kicked a 33-yarder to put them up two scores.
The Rebels made it interesting in the game’s final moments, with their offense kicking a field goal and recovering the onside kick to march down the field with a chance to tie the game.
Texas, however, ultimately picked off Chambliss’ Hail Mary attempt to end the game, giving the Longhorns their fifth win of the year.
“I would be the first one to tell you we were not perfect tonight,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian while also rattling off the penalty yardage. “We had an opportunity to be closer to perfect, but we get sack, fumble, they get a touchdown, they get momentum.”
Texas didn’t lose this big league like they have in other games this season. The Longhorns lost to Florida at home 27-24 last week after leading 17-3 in the first half.
The Longhorns fell to Red River rival Oklahoma by the same score after taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.
“We said that at halftime, they’ve been up multiple possessions in this stadium and lost,” Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said. “They’ve been down multiple possessions in this stadium and won (over then-No. 1 Ohio State). So we knew if we went out and played good football that we can get back in it.”
Despite rough outings in loss to Florida and Oklahoma, an edgier Manning wasn’t perfect but was better in this outing, and it likely will buy him another week as Texas’ starter.
“When he shows that fire in his belly that he had tonight, I think the team responds to that,” Sarkisian said. “I’m just very proud of him because this isn’t easy. His world, his life is different than anybody else I’ve ever been around that’s been part of this sport. But the guy keeps coming back, and so we’re lucky to have him as our guy.”
Junior Longhorns wideout Ryan Wingo led all receivers with 111 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
On the ground for Texas, running back Raleek Brown led the game 157 rushing yards on 23 carries, and Michael Terry III punched in a rushing touchdown in the first half.
Texas is set to face off against Mississippi State in its next game, playing the Bulldogs at home on Oct. 31.
After the win a more relaxed Manning did get into the “edgy” debate, but admitted he was locked in during a week where his starting job was in jeopardy.
“I was edgy? I don’t know what that means,” Manning said with a chuckle when told of his coach’s description this week. “But yeah, I think I had a chip on my shoulder all week. I’ve got to continue to play like that.”
— with AP
