Tag: Texas Longhorns

No. 3 Texas A&M visits No. 16 Texas with eye on SEC title game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas A&M is 11-0 for the first time since 1992 and yet it still needs another victory to assure a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game.

The No. 3 Aggies look to clinch in a spot in the conference championship contest when they visit No. 16 Texas on Friday night in Austin.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko allowed it’s a tough road when your squad can be one of three unbeaten teams nationally and still need to win your final regular-season contest to play in the conference’s marquee game.

“I think the way things broke this year with our schedule inhibited some of our tiebreaker abilities,” Elko said Monday of the club’s 7-0 SEC mark. “It’s going to force us to go 8-0 to get to Atlanta and it is what it is. I think in another year, certainly last year, it wouldn’t have taken the same.

“But that’s just how this conference goes, and so you’ve got a lot of teams playing each other, battling it out. We’re just fortunate to still be in it going into the last weekend of the year again.”

Texas A&M trails only top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana in the College Football Playoff poll so the Aggies know they will be part of the playoffs.

In the SEC, Texas A&M is a half-game ahead of No. 4 Georgia (7-1) and one game ahead of No. 7 Ole Miss (6-1) and No. 10 Alabama (6-1).

But beating fierce rival Texas in an intense atmosphere on the road would be a satisfying way to finish off an undefeated SEC slate.

“They’re a really talented football team,” Elko said. “Obviously, anytime you play this game, it’s going to have a little bit of a different energy about it. That will be one of the biggest challenges that comes along with it, and I think it’ll be an exciting opportunity for us Friday night.”

The Longhorns (8-3, 5-2) need a victory to keep their at-large playoff aspirations alive. A loss would signal the end to the pursuit.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t want to discuss whether a win over the Aggies would get the Longhorns into the CFP field.

“I’ll talk about that after the game,” Sarkisian said. “If we’re fortunate enough to win the game, I’ll talk about that after the game because I think that would be a better platform.”

Texas lost its season opener to then-No. 3 Ohio State, had a bad SEC loss to Florida on Oct. 4 and were later drubbed 35-10 by then-No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 15.

The Longhorns, who are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the SEC, remained alive with last weekend’s 52-37 home win over Arkansas.

Quarterback Arch Manning became the first Texas player since the legendary Bobby Layne to record passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game. Layne accomplished it against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1946.

Manning passed for a season-high 389 yards to go with four passing scores as he accounted for six touchdowns overall, second in Texas history behind Clyde Littlefield (seven in 1915).

Sarkisian, a former college quarterback, said the game has slowed down for Manning.

“I think it has for him,” Sarkisian said. “I think he’s done a really good job of his decision making. He had a couple scrambles the other day where I think Arch early in the year puts his head down and starts barreling forward and maybe gets 2 or 3 more yards.”

Manning has passed for 2,763 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for seven scores.

Texas A&M star quarterback Marcel Reed has thrown for 2,752 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has added six scores on the ground.

Last season, the teams played for the first time since 2011 and the Longhorns notched a 17-7 road win.

–Field Level Media

Gunner Stockton (5 total TDs), No. 5 Georgia dominate No. 10 Texas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

ATHENS, Ga. — Gunner Stockton completed 24 of 29 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score on Saturday as No. 5 Georgia posted a commanding 35-10 victory over No. 10 Texas in a pivotal Southeastern Conference showdown.

Noah Thomas caught two touchdowns, London Humphreys hauled in a touchdown and Nate Frazier ran for 72 yards for Georgia (9-1, 7-1 SEC), which won its sixth straight game while wrapping up its conference slate. The Bulldogs outgained Texas 357-274, outscoring the visitors 21-0 in the fourth quarter.

Arch Manning threw for 251 yards, a touchdown and an interception for Texas (7-3, 4-2), which saw its College Football Playoff hopes take a massive hit. Ryan Wingo had nine catches for 62 yards for the Longhorns, who committed nine penalties to Georgia’s one.

Leading 14-3, Georgia committed its only turnover as Stockton was intercepted by Anthony Hill Jr. at the Bulldogs’ 36-yard line with 8:11 left in the third quarter.

After a Georgia pass interference penalty, Manning found Wingo for a 7-yard score, trimming Texas’ deficit to four with 5:27 remaining in the third.

Georgia responded with a 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive, stamped with Stockton’s 30-yard touchdown strike to Humphreys.

Head coach Kirby Smart then made the bold decision for an onside kick, which was recovered by Georgia’s Cash Jones with 14:20 left in the fourth. The Bulldogs pushed their advantage to 28-10 on Stockton’s 6-yard scoring pass to Lawson Luckie.

After Jack Bouwmeester’s fifth punt, Stockton’s 4-yard rushing score cemented a dominant Georgia win.

Mason Shipley’s 33-yard field goal put Texas ahead 3-0 six minutes into the game, then Stockton’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Thomas gave Georgia a 7-3 edge with 4:12 left in the opening quarter.

Following Texas’ three-and-out, Stockton’s 30-yard pass to Zachariah Branch pushed the Georgia drive to the Longhorns’ 8-yard line. Thomas then hauled in his second touchdown of the first half — a 4-yard score to give the Bulldogs a 14-3 lead with 12:49 remaining in the second quarter.

The Longhorns squandered an opportunity to cut into the deficit two drives later, as Manning’s overthrow was picked off by K.J. Bolden at Georgia’s 16-yard line.

Texas committed seven first-half penalties to Georgia’s zero, while the visitors went 0-for-6 on third-down conversions in the first 30 minutes.

–Jack Batten, Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Medical staff check on Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during overtime against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Texas QB Arch Manning (concussion) returns to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas quarterback Arch Manning remains in concussion protocol but has resumed practicing with the team, coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed.

Sarkisian said Thursday that Manning is “making good progress” but his status remains uncertain for Saturday’s home game between the 20th-ranked Longhorns (6-2, 3-1 SEC) and No. 9 Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1).

Manning is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report after sustaining a head injury during last weekend’s overtime win at Mississippi State.

Matthew Caldwell, a graduate transfer from Troy, will start against the Commodores in Austin if Manning doesn’t clear the protocol in time.

“We haven’t changed anything that we’ve done,” Sarkisian said. “The game plan is the game plan. All of his teammates have confidence in Matt if it’s his time to go.”

Manning was hurt on a scramble in overtime against Mississippi State after rallying Texas from a 31-14 deficit. He had a career-high 346 passing yards, three touchdowns and a rushing touchdown before being forced out of the 45-38 victory.

Manning has completed 60.9% of his passes for 1,795 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions this year. He has also rushed for 199 yards and six scores.

Caldwell is 8-of-11 passing for 85 yards with one touchdown this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Medical staff check on Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during overtime against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Report: Texas QB Arch Manning sustains concussion vs. Miss. State

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Quarterback Arch Manning sustained a concussion on the first play in overtime during No. 22 Texas’ 45-38 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday, ESPN reported.

Manning’s helmet appeared to bounce off the field following a hit from defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones at the conclusion of a 13-yard scramble play.

Manning sat on the field while trainers rushed out on the field. He was in the medical tent at the end of the game.

“We’ll find out more when we get back to Austin,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters of Manning.

Troy transfer Matthew Caldwell tossed a 10-yard touchdown to Emmett Mosley V for Texas (6-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference), which rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs.

Manning completed 29 of 46 passes for a career-high 346 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score for the Longhorns, who host No. 10 Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday.

“I thought Arch battled his tail off.” Sarkisian said. “I wish we played a little better around him at times … but man, he’s a warrior and he battles. He competes, he takes hits and he gets back up … I think he grew up a lot tonight.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Texas hands No. 6 Oklahoma first loss in Red River Rivalry

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arch Manning completed 78% of his passes for 166 yards and a touchdown to help Texas knock off No. 6 Oklahoma 23-6 on Saturday in Dallas.

The Longhorns’ defense intercepted Sooners’ quarterback John Mateer three times, and sacked him five times overall, including twice on a critical drive late to clinch their second straight victory in the Red River Rivalry.

With 9:59 remaining, Texas’ Ryan Niblett returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to put the Longhorns up 20-6.

Needing to put points on the board for the first time since early in the second quarter, Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC) quickly drove inside the Texas 30, but Michael Taaffe and Colin Simmons sacked Mateer on back-to-back plays on second and third down before Mateer’s incompletion gave the ball back to the Longhorns (3-3, 1-1 SEC).

Mateer played just 17 days after having surgery for a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

Mateer suffered the injury early in the Sooners’ Sept. 20 win over Auburn.
He finished 20 of 38 for 202 yards and had 14 carries for five yards.

Mateer’s streak of 10 consecutive games with at least one passing touchdown and at least one running touchdown was snapped.

Oklahoma controlled much of the first half, outgaining the Longhorns 170-114, but the Sooners couldn’t finish out drives, twice settling for Tate Sandell field goals early.

Texas cut the deficit to 6-3 late in the third quarter, and then Malik Muhammad picked off Mateer in the end zone in the closing seconds to keep the Sooners from stretching the lead before the break.

The Longhorns then ate up nearly half of the third-quarter clock with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, taking the lead on Manning’s 12-yard touchdown pass to one-time Sooners commit DeAndre Moore Jr.

Manning finished 21 of 27 through the air, ran for 34 yards, and was sacked just once by an Oklahoma defense that came into the game leading the nation in sacks per game.

Quintrevion Wisner rushed for 94 yards and had five catches for 34 yards.
Texas outgained Oklahoma 302-258.

Deion Burks led the Sooners with five catches for 64 yards. Oklahoma ran for just 48 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Colin Simmons (1) reacts after making a tackle during the first half against the San Jose Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

No. 9 Texas puts elite defense against Florida’s anemic offense

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No. 9 Texas pits one of the nation’s top defenses against stumbling Florida on Saturday afternoon in a Southeastern Conference clash in Gainesville, Fla.

The teams, both idle last weekend, meet for the first time in Gainesville since 1940 and for just the fifth time ever. The Longhorns have never lost to the Gators, owning a 3-0-1 mark that includes a 49-17 win last year in Austin.

It’s the SEC opener for Texas (3-1, 0-0 SEC), who climbed one spot in the poll during their bye week. Since losing at Ohio State in its season opener, Texas has feasted on three mid-major teams to prepare for the league gauntlet.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian dispelled the notion that he’s been playing things close to the vest.

“I don’t know necessarily that we’ve held back,” Sarkisian explained. “We have laid a solid foundation in all three phases (of the game) to build upon for SEC play.”

Texas’ most recent contest was a 55-0 walloping of hapless Sam Houston at home on Sept. 20 in which quarterback Arch Manning passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in a little more than a half of action.

“(Manning’s) got his swagger back,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “We’ve all known all the swagger that he’s got, and he’s just got to go play with it. Everybody knew that it was in there, and he just had to stay the course.”

The Longhorns outgained Sam Houston 607-113 and amassed 10 tackles for loss, including five sacks. Ryan Wingo hauled in two TD passes and racked up 125 total yards (93 receiving, 32 rushing).

Playing against Florida on the road to begin the SEC campaign will be a challenge for Texas, Sarkisian insisted.

“Obviously (Gainesville) has been known around the country as one of the more difficult places to play,” he said Monday. “(Florida has) been playing great defensive football all year and they’ve got explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. They’ve been off the mark just a little bit offensively, but it’s not for lack of players and it’s not for lack of scheme.”

Texas has allowed just 31 total points over its first four outings and is ranked second in scoring defense (7.75 points per game) and fourth in FBS to total defense at 211.0 yards per game.

The Gators (1-3, 0-1) have dropped three straight games, most recently a 26-7 loss to then-No. 4 Miami on Sept. 20. Jadan Baugh rushed for a touchdown for Florida in the setback while DJ Lagway was 12-of-23 passing for just 61 yards with a long gain of 12 yards.

In the loss to Miami, the Gators did not convert any of their 13 third-down opportunities and finished with just 141 yards of offense. Florida’s offense ranks 15th out of 16 SEC teams at 328.3 yards per game, with only three touchdowns over its past three games.

“Each team has its own set of problems,” Florida coach Billy Napier said Monday. “I think it’s important that as the season goes, it’s about coming up with solutions. Your team has to improve as you go. Open dates present that opportunity and we certainly got a lot of good work done.”

Lagway said his team’s lack of execution has kept the offense in neutral.

“I love this system, man,” Lagway said. “Player-wise, we just gotta execute what Coach calls. I feel like that starts with me. That starts with, you know, the whole offensive unit.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) passes the ball during the first half against the Texas El Paso Miners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Could Sam Houston serve as salve for No. 8 Texas’ ailing offense?

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eighth-ranked Texas looks to get its offense in sync prior to the beginning of the Southeastern Conference season when it hosts winless Sam Houston on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

It’s the final nonconference tuneup for the Longhorns (2-1), who have been solid but not overwhelming in their past two home games — both of them wins — after losing at then-No. 2 Ohio State in their season opener.

Texas dropped another spot in the AP poll this week after a 27-10 win over UTEP last Saturday. Struggling quarterback Arch Manning passed for just 114 yards while scoring twice on short first-half runs before passing for a score early in the fourth quarter.

Manning has hit on just over 55 percent of his passes over Texas’ first three games, racking up 579 yards and six touchdowns while chucking three interceptions. Add the three TDs he has scored on the ground and Manning has been directly responsible for all nine touchdowns the Longhorns have scored in 2025.

“(My performance against UTEP) was frustrating — I know I’m better than that,” Manning said Monday. “But we’re gonna be better this week, and we’re gonna get clicking on offense, and I’m excited to get going.”

“It’ll be more fun once we start clicking and winning these games. I have fun during the week (in practice) and I’ve got to continue to have fun, because I think I play better when I’m having fun. We’ve got a good group with full energy and, as a team, we can have more fun, and I think it’ll help us play better.”

The Longhorns were favored by 41 points in the game with UTEP and didn’t come close to reaching that level of domination, failing to cover for the third consecutive outing. Texas opened as a 41 1/2-point favorite for Saturday’s game with the Bearkats.

“(We have) things to clean up, but more importantly for us is (it’s) kind of exciting because the things that we need to clean up are very fixable,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. “That part’s exciting to me because I can envision what it’s going to look like when we do clean it up.”

Texas will be without starting running back CJ Baxter for the Sam Houston game after he suffered a hamstring injury on the Longhorns’ first offensive snap against UTEP.

Sam Houston (0-3) travels west to Austin after a bye week, with its most recent game a 37-20 loss Sept. 3 at Hawaii. The Bearkats were outgained 417-248 and committed nine penalties for 95 yards in that loss.

The Bearkats have used three quarterbacks this season — Wisconsin transfer Mabrey Mettauer, Hunter Watson and Landyn Locke — with the trio passing for a combined two touchdowns and three interceptions. Mettauer made his first collegiate start at Hawaii and finished with 91 passing yards, 35 rushing yards and one interception.

Sam Houston’s defense gives up 38.7 points and 442.3 yards per contest.

“If somebody separates themself, fantastic,” said Sam Houston coach Phil Longo. “If not, I’ve been through this before at Sam with two quarterbacks — two good ones. I’d rather have the problem, and we’ll continue to make that work for us. That’s an iron-sharpens-iron situation. That’s always a good thing in football.”

Texas and San Houston have played just once before, with the Longhorns winning 56-3 in Austin in 2006.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) keeps the ball while running for a touchdown past Texas El Paso Miners linebacker Micah Davey (48) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Arch Manning overcomes slow start to lead No. 7 Texas past UTEP

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arch Manning overcame some early struggles, scoring on a pair of first-half touchdown runs and adding a short touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as No. 7 Texas did enough to beat UTEP 27-10 on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns’ much ballyhooed quarterback completed only 11 of his 25 passes for 114 yards and was intercepted once.

Even with Manning’s struggles – and an injury to starting running back CJ Baxter on the contest’s first snap – Texas (2-1) was too much for the Miners. The Longhorns finished with a 340-259 edge in total yardage, with 226 of Texas’ yards coming on the ground.

Malachi Nelson passed for 209 yards to lead UTEP (1-2), which has never beaten Texas in seven games between the teams.

After a ragged start, Manning scooted around the right end with a 2-yard scoring keeper at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter. UTEP got on the board with a 39-yard field goal by Carlos Arreola with 1:55 to play before halftime.

The Texas signal caller scrambled for his second rushing TD, this one from 5 yards out, with one second remaining in the half to give the Longhorns a 14-3 lead and a little something to build on in the second half.

Aside from the touchdowns on the ground, it was a first half to forget for Manning and the Texas offense. He went 5-for-16 passing for 69 yards over the opening 30 minutes, missed on 10 of his last 11 throws and uncorked an interception in the end zone that denied Texas points. The Longhorns converted just one of their nine third downs before halftime.

Texas dominated the second half, if not producing an overly impressive performance. The Longhorns added to their advantage with a pair of field goals from Mason Shipley, from 31 and 30 yards away, respectively, in the third quarter.

UTEP managed just 16 yards of offense in the third quarter when the game was still in reach and when it limited the Longhorns to Shipley’s field goals.

Manning then threw his lone touchdown pass of the game – a 4-yarder to Ryan Wingo at the end of an eight-play, 47-yard drive to push the lead to 27-3 and all but put the game on ice.

The Miners got a window-dressing 2-yard TD run from backup quarterback Shay Smith with 1:57 to play.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas wideout Isaiah Bond (WO05) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lawyers for NFL draft prospect Isaiah Bond file lawsuit against woman

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Less than a week after turning himself into authorities on a sexual assault warrant, NFL draft prospect Isaiah Bond has filed a lawsuit against the woman who made the initial claims.

Lawyers for Bond filed the suit in United States District Court in Northern Texas on Tuesday, saying the woman made false statements to police in Frisco, Texas.

Bond, a standout wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns last season, turned himself into police on April 10, although he denied the allegations on Instagram after posting a $25,000 bond.

“Regarding the accusation made against me, I would appreciate the time and opportunity to defend myself and prove the claims made, patently false,” Bond wrote. “I am in full cooperation with the authorities and will remain a willing and active participant in the investigation. Unfortunately, claims like these prove to be harmful to all involved, absent full review. I kindly request that all reserve judgement until the authorities provide a complete report based on truth and evidence.”

Bond’s lawyers say that the wideout did engage in a sexual encounter with the unnamed woman, calling the affair consensual. The lawsuit, which includes a defamation claim, asks for economic damages and a civil trial.

After spending two years at Alabama, Bond transferred to Texas for the 2024 season, during which he recorded 34 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns. He also had four carries for 98 yards and a score. For his career, Bond had 99 catches for 1,428 yards and 10 TDs, leading some NFL draft experts to slot him as a second- or third-round pick in next week’s draft.

–Field Level Media