Arch Manning Leads Second-Half Surge as Texas Hands Texas A&M Its First Loss
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns turned a slow start into a statement victory Friday night, rallying from a halftime deficit to defeat the previously unbeaten Texas A&M Aggies 27–17. The win not only spoiled the Aggies’ perfect season but also eliminated them from contention for the SEC championship game.
Texas trailed 10–3 at halftime after an opening two quarters marked by offensive struggles and missed opportunities. But the Longhorns emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, powered by the steady playmaking of quarterback Arch Manning.
Manning threw for 179 yards and added 53 on the ground, orchestrating a second-half comeback that swung momentum sharply in Texas’s favor. His 29-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo in the third quarter tied the game and ignited the home crowd. Later, with just over seven minutes remaining and facing a critical third-and-3, Manning kept the ball on a designed run and broke free for a 35-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach.
Running back Quintrevion Wisner delivered one of the best performances of his season, rushing for 155 yards and helping Texas control the tempo after halftime. His consistency on the ground opened the field for Manning’s play-action throws and kept the A&M defense on its heels throughout the second half.
Texas A&M started the game strong, but the Aggies’ offense sputtered after halftime. Two fourth-quarter interceptions halted any hope of mounting a comeback, and Texas capitalized on the miscues with long, clock-draining drives.
After the victory, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed to the significance of the win as the Longhorns await postseason evaluations. With multiple wins over top-ranked opponents this season, Sarkisian argued that Texas has earned serious consideration for a playoff spot.
The Longhorns finish the regular season at 9–3, while the Aggies drop to 11–1, their championship hopes erased in a rivalry showdown that lived up to its history. Texas, riding the momentum of a defining late-season win, now waits to see how the postseason picture unfolds.
