The No. 20-ranked Texas Longhorns secured a dramatic 34-31 victory over the No. 9-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, a pivotal win in their quest for playoff contention. Arch Manning, the 21-year-old freshman quarterback, delivered a standout performance, completing 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns, setting the tone for Texas’ offensive resurgence. This win comes after a challenging start to the season, with the Longhorns overcoming early setbacks to take control of the game.
The atmosphere at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was electric from the outset, as Manning executed a flawless opening play by launching a 75-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ryan Wingo. Vanderbilt’s response was halted by a key fumble by quarterback Diego Pavia, giving Texas an early 10-0 lead. The Longhorns extended their lead with a methodical 10-play, 83-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a six-yard strike to running back CJ Baxter. By halftime, Texas had built a 17-3 advantage, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive discipline.
Vanderbilt fought back in the second half, with quarterback Pavia leading a 13-play, 75-yard drive to cut the deficit to 24-10. However, Texas’ resilience shone through as the Longhorns mounted a 93-yard, 13-play touchdown drive, putting them up 31-10. Despite Vanderbilt’s valiant fourth-quarter push, including three touchdowns to narrow the gap to 34-31, the Commodores fell short in their final moments. The game concluded with Vanderbilt nearly securing a last-minute tying score but the ball bouncing out of bounds, sealing Texas’ victory.
With the win, Texas improves to 7-2 and moves closer to the College Football Playoff, especially with their next matchup against Georgia (6-1) looming. A victory over the Bulldogs would significantly bolster their playoff chances. For Vanderbilt, the loss drops them to 7-2, and they will look to regroup against Auburn (4-4) in their next game. This game was a testament to Manning’s growing influence and the Longhorns’ ability to bounce back from adversity, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.