Arch Manning Leads Historic Comeback for Texas Longhorns

Arch Manning leads the Texas Longhorns back from a 17-point deficit in an overtime win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Texas Longhorns looked dead in the water, along with their season, after a 38-21 deficit against the Mississippi State Bulldogs with 12:29 left in the game in Starkville on Saturday, but quarterback Arch Manning was having none of that, and helped lead his team to a come-from-behind win.

Despite leaving the game in overtime with an injury after hitting his head on the ground, he did everything he could to lead his team back and keep them in it in the first half, deserving a ton of flowers for the hits he took in the contest.

Now with their third straight win, and returning to the Forty Acres this week, Manning looks to be playing the best football of the season for the Longhorns.

Biggest Comeback for Texas in Nearly 20 Years

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts after beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs in overtime at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

According to the team, the 17-point comeback marked the biggest for Texas since 2007 when the Longhorns rallied from 21 down to beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater.

In that game, Texas was down three scores in the fourth quarter as well.

The Longhorns had their fair share of memories in the Big 12, but Saturday's win is certainly among the best wins the team has had since entering the SEC.

One Tough Man

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Derion Gullette (16) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Finishing the game 29 of 476 passing with 346 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, he once again proved how efficient he can be. The interception was hardly his fault as well, delivering a strike to Parker Livingstone, who couldn't hang on, and it dropped straight to a Bulldogs defender.

More impressively, he was able to deliver the performance he did with an offensive line that is barely taped together, missing right guard DJ Campbell and starting center Cole Hutson. Despite being sacked five times, he stepped up into the pocket time after time to deliver a strike when the Longhorns needed it the most.

Manning, unlike in previous contests, was not afraid to take the short and intermediate throws, despite finding success in the offense, throwing the ball deep. From five to 14 yards, Manning was 10 for 15 with 111 yards and a 67 percent completion rate. Compare that to being one for six on passes deeper than 15 yards, and he wasn't afraid to take what the defense gave him.

Manning was efficient, allowing his talented skill players to do most of the work, throwing to seven different receivers, but delivering accurate throws when needed. That includes a strike to Emmett Mosley V for a 21-yard touchdown after finding themselves down by 17 points.

With four drops from his receivers, including three from Wingo, and an offensive line doing him no favors, Manning never panicked or showed signs of worry. The maturity and confidence that have long been discussed regarding the Longhorns' signal-caller were on full display in the comeback, powering them to their overtime win.

For the Longhorns, this marks a season-saving comeback win, but for Manning, this signifies something more: the Longhorns' signal-caller is finally here.