Texas trailed Missouri by seven points in the second half Saturday before scoring 21 unanswered points, leaving Columbia with a 34-20 win. Arch Manning had his best game of the season, throwing three touchdown passes, while running back Raleek Brown scored the final two touchdowns. Will Muschamp’s defense came through yet again, and kept the Tigers off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.
It was a must-win scenario for Texas, but they didn’t get there without some frustration. A blocked punt produced only a field goal, and Manning missed an opportunity downfield in the fourth quarter. Texas put together consecutive touchdown drives when it needed them, then used a late takeaway to put Missouri away.
Here are this week’s helmet stickers…
Arch Manning
Manning was 28 of 38 for 297 yards and three TDs, and kept his cool when Texas trailed in the second half. He found Jermaine Bishop Jr. for a 25-yard touchdown that tied the game at 20 then hit Raleek Brown with go ahead score with 5:03 left to play.
Texas had production in different parts of the passing game on those possessions. Bishop caught short passes as well as a TD and Brown scored on a wheel route out of the backfield. Manning showed why when he is at his best he is hard to beat.
Raleek Brown
Raleek Brown made plays and got the yardage Texas needs more times than not against the Tigers, but it may have been his second-half performance that most remember. Tied in the fourth quarter, Steve Sarkisian used him as a receiver and Manning found him for a 23-yard touchdown on a wheel route. He also had a 12-yard carry during that possession.
That combination made him central to the go-ahead drive. Texas could keep giving him the ball without limiting it to the running game. After the defense picked off a pass late, Brown ran eight yards for a touchdown to make it 34-20.
Jermaine Bishop Jr.
Bishop was flagged for pass interference late in the third quarter before catching Manning’s 25 yard touchdown pass. The freshman from Willis, TX finished the day with four catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, while helping extend drives with critical receptions.
Colton Vasek
Texas’ offense needed some help, and Colton Vasek gave it during two fourth-quarter drives.
With the score tied he took advantage of a protection breakdown to sack Austin Simmons. Missouri punted from its own 10 yard line and after Texas went ahead Vasek stopped Simmons on a quarterback draw during another possession that ended with a punt.
Those plays got Texas off the field rather than asking its offense to keep matching Missouri’s scores.
Warren Roberson and Graceson Littleton
The defense finished off the comeback with a takeaway as Missouri was still within seven.
Roberson broke it loose at the catch point and Littleton held on in the air before returning the interception near the goal line. Brown’s eight-yard touchdown later gave Texas a two score lead.
This wasn’t evidence of a halftime adjustment. It was good execution at the time Texas most needed it: Roberson contested the catch, Littleton finished the turnover and Missouri lost its chance to drive for the tying score.
