After a dejecting loss on the road in Athens, GA, last weekend, many wondered how the Longhorns would fare mentally against Arkansas. With their playoff odds practically eliminated following the Georgia game, would this team have any motivation left? On Saturday, Steve Sarkisian’s group answered all of those questions and more, unleashing a fireworks show on offense. In fact, Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning totaled six all-purpose touchdowns, leading the team to a sizable 52–37 win.
Offensively, it took only four plays for the Longhorns to get going. From 46 yards out, Arch Manning faced heavy pressure, climbed the pocket, and found DeAndre Moore Jr. over the middle for a touchdown. The duo’s quick score ended up being the first of their three touchdown connections on the night.
Neck and Neck First Half
The first half was a back-and-forth battle for the Longhorns. With every score Texas produced, Arkansas answered. Heading into the locker room at the half, Texas held a narrow 24–20 lead over the Razorbacks after Mason Shipley connected on a 44-yard field goal as time expired. It was not exactly the first half you would expect against an Arkansas team that entered with a 2–8 record and riding an eight-game losing streak.
Defensively, Texas struggled against a Razorbacks offense that has competed hard all season. In the running game, Arkansas running back Mike Washington delivered several highlight moments, amassing 148 yards of total offense and a touchdown. Ironically, Arkansas’ offense actually out-gained the Longhorns in the yardage battle 512–490, despite getting blown out on the scoreboard.
The Second Half Spark
However, the Razorbacks’ luck ran out when the second half began. Already entering halftime with three touchdowns, Manning continued to dominate. In fact, he did more than just dominate — he made history. Manning became the first quarterback in Texas history to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in a single game. In total, his six touchdowns were distributed as follows: four passing, one rushing, and one receiving.
As a result, Texas’ 24–20 halftime lead blossomed into a massive 52–23 advantage with 11:30 left in the game. The surge included a 52-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Liona Lefau, forced by Colin Simmons. Ultimately, the final score settled at 52–37 following a pair of garbage time touchdowns by Arkansas.
Final Thoughts
Despite the three losses, this Longhorns team has shown a tremendous amount of resolve this season. Obviously, resolve alone is not enough to win championships, but no one can say this year’s team has lacked fight.
The Longhorns will need a win next week—along with a prayer—to find their way into the playoff. The problem? Texas A&M is next on the docket, and the Aggies are the third-ranked team in the country.
Next weekend, the Longhorns will host the Aggies at DKR–TMS, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM (CT) on Black Friday.
