Manning’s 3 TDs Lead Texas Past Mississippi State 31-3

Decisive Victory in Austin

The Texas Longhorns secured a commanding 31-3 victory over the visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The win improved Texas’s record to 6-2, while Mississippi State fell to 4-4. A packed crowd of 103,586 witnessed a performance defined by efficient offense and stifling defense that left the visitors with minimal offensive output.

Early Dominance and Defensive Stand

Texas established control early, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Arch Manning to Cam Coleman, followed by a kick from Gianni Spetic. The Longhorns extended their advantage in the second quarter with two distinct scoring drives. First, Spetic drilled a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

Shortly after, the defense provided a critical spark when Maraad Watson returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown, pushing the score to 17-0 before halftime.

Mississippi State managed to get on the board in the third quarter via a 30-yard field goal by Kyle Ferrie, making the score 17-3. However, Texas immediately responded with another scoring drive. Manning connected with Raleek Brown on a 4-yard touchdown pass, restoring a double-digit lead at 24-3 entering the final period.

Manning’s Efficiency and Final Push

Arch Manning was the catalyst for the Longhorns’ offensive success, completing 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. His precision was evident in the fourth quarter when he found Emmett Mosley V on a 42-yard touchdown pass to seal the game at 31-3.

Manning’s performance included a perfect connection rate on his scoring throws, highlighting the offensive efficiency that Mississippi State could not contain.

While Texas controlled the game, Mississippi State’s offense struggled to generate momentum. AJ Swann completed 12 of 15 passes for 97 yards but lacked the support to overcome the early deficit.

Fluff Bothwell carried the ball 17 times for 49 yards, and Marquis Johnson caught six passes for 61 yards, but these efforts were insufficient against a Texas defense that held the Bulldogs scoreless until late in the third quarter.

Final Records and Outlook

The final score of 31-3 reflected the disparity in execution throughout the contest. Texas’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and maintain offensive rhythm allowed them to dominate time of possession and scoring opportunities. With this win, the Longhorns improve their standing with a 6-2 record. Mississippi State drops to 4-4 after the loss at home.

Sources

ESPN